Major world events change things. Think about how 9-11 changed air travel. Those who study culture tell us this pandemic will also change some of our lifestyle habits. I’m really curious about what will change. Once social distancing is no more, what will change permanently?
Will we have more touchless interactions like automatic doors in all public building? Will self-serve salad bars and buffets go the way of the dinosaur? Cruise ships stop cruising? (Doubt it.) Let’s get closer to home. What will change about our daily routines and schedules?
We all generally agree our lives felt too busy and crowded before this shutdown. We wished we had more time for relationships – more time with family and friends. Suddenly the busyness ended and that wish came true. Many have commented how much they’ve enjoy eating meals together with their family, playing games, working puzzles, going on walks and bicycle rides… In spite of the stress and distress of this pandemic we have enjoyed the absence of busyness and more time for relationships. But will it change our lifestyles?
It depends. If you don’t take time to consider the alternatives you really do have moving forward, and make hard choices to prioritize family and relationships, you almost certainly will fill up your schedule and resume the busy, crowded and stressful life you had before mid-March 2020. It won’t happen quickly, but it will happen. And once again you’ll talk about the things you hope to do when life slows down. But it never will, short of another pandemic. Life in America doesn’t slow down. You have to slow it down for yourself and your family.
On the other hand, if you do take time to consider the alternatives you have and make hard choices to prioritize family and relationships, the answer may be yes. You may keep the changes the stoppage originally forced on you. But it won’t be easy. You will have to say no to things everyone else is doing. You will feel like a fish swimming upstream against the current. But here’s the thing you’ll find. The calmer water upstream is fresher.
So what are the alternatives to busyness? What are the questions we need to ask to keep the relational gifts this stoppage has given us? Here’s a few to sit down and discuss with those you love.
Are we willing to commit 45 minutes most every evening to sit at the table and eat dinner together? With all electronic devices out of reach? (Yes, people still do that.)
Do I have to work late multiple nights a week? Multiple weekends a month?
Do I have to be involved in organizations that take me out of the house multiple nights a week? Multiple weekends a month?
Do our children really need to be out more than one or two nights a week?
Do our children need to take private lessons for __________ ? It might help to ask this follow up question: How will this benefit them once they’re 30 years old (about the time they’re starting the cycle over again for their kids)?
Do our children really need to play year round sports? Do they really want to? Or are they being encouraged to; by you or others outside your family?
Do they have to have different sport or activity for every season?
Do they really have to have a variety of interests? Says who?
What did I miss? Add your own questions.
You may have pushback, but I promise, a year or two from now, you will not regret the decisions you made that strengthened your family and lessened your stress.
This Coronavirus is horrible. I almost lost a friend to it. It has further divided our nation and even threatens to divide our church (over masks or no masks) if we’re not careful. But it has given us a few unexpected gifts.
Like time to catch our breath after a lifetime of busyness.
And the opportunity gain perspective: this was my schedule before the stoppage; this is my schedule now.
Do I like the slower pace? Do I want to keep some of the changes? I hope and pray you do.
Live bold, and start a conversation,
Greg
