There’s no doubt that the global pandemic of 2020/2021 has had challenges (lots of them). But there has been some silver lining and as an eternal optimist, I’m reflecting some of my favorite positive benefits to daily life it created, which have helped me with productivity as a mom.
5 Positive Benefits To Daily Life Thanks To 2020/2021:
#1 – Drive-Up Target & Grocery Store Shopping
This is by far probably my favorite. I’m not going to lie, I love spending an hour to two cruising down the aisles. However, those days of Target shopping have 90% resulted in me overspending and wasting a lot of precious time. The worst are those shopping trips where I’ve gone to Target for three things and left with 50 things, but forgot the one essential item I came to shop for.
With online or app shopping, everything is clear; I’m able to stick to my list and budget. The best part of this is no loading and unloading kids out of their car seats or standing in lines telling my children to stop touching ever candy bar in the aisle.
#2 – Virtual Dr. Visits
While I’m still a fan of seeing our favorite pediatrician for their annual visits, there is so much more convenience when I can zoom into a call and take pictures. Not having to sit in a waiting room with lots of little germy kids is definitely one of the positive benefits to daily life that has resulted from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
#3 – Working From Home
While working from home has its challenges, the biggest benefit is definitely flexibility. It’s nice to be able to drop off my kids and pick them up from school on a daily basis or use my lunch break to take my daughter to her ballet class.
#4 – Better School Hygiene
I know that the mask policy is one of great debate, but I must say this cold and flu season has been mild for my household. In addition to the masks, I’m also giving credit to better handwashing, routine use of hand sanitizer, and better awareness to stay home when feeling ill (even if it’s just been the mild sniffles).
#5 – New Dining Restrictions
Selfishly, this is one of the positive benefits that has personally benefited me for the sake that my husband loves eating out at restaurants. Dinner, lunch, Sunday brunch, you name it – it’s his vice. But with limited-to-no dining and then an emphasis on outdoor dining, this has been one of my favorite blessings.
We’ve saved money, plus I’m not forcing my two young children to sit quietly and patiently for an hour or two at an indoor restaurant. We’ve still eaten out, but now we often opt for outdoor seating where the kids can be a little louder, can get on their feet, and walk around if needed.
I’m a big believer about perspective and yes, 100% this past year has been hard. But as I review the year of challenges, pivoting, and discomfort – I’m finding the nuggets of positivity in this last year.
Hope you remember that no matter how gray the clouds are, there is always a silver lining with positive benefits.