There is a well-known idiom “No Pain No Gain” which is true. Humans tend not to exert themselves and grow when they are going through easy times. However, when faced with hardship we can dig deep and develop, grow, improve, re-make ourselves in ways we did not imagine possible. Right now, the whole world is confronted with a pandemic. You have a choice – you can face the crisis with fear or you can utilise it to transform.

Here are my tips to turn this crisis time into an opportunity for transformation:

Become an adventurer

Imagine you are on a journey into unknown territory. You do not know what you will find around the corner. You are excited to learn more, to see new things, to discover unthought-of possibilities.

Stretch yourself

Go out of your comfort zone. Instead of saying “But in the old days I exercised with a personal trainer and it is the right way” (which I first thought) say “Moving forward I will experiment with online exercise.” Give it a go. Who says personal training must be done hands-on?

Be flexible

Give up old expectations about how things should be. Be open to a different way. For instance, when I trained as a psychologist, I was taught that face to face was the only way to do counselling. Guess what? I now use video conferencing and it is just as successful. Drop the word ‘should’. It causes stress.

Become a leader

Lead by example in your home. Think of the greater good. Be kind and generous. Sacrifice. Do whatever you can to make others comfortable. Have a vision for the future, do not get bogged down with irritations in the moment.

You now have time to develop a new routine and do all the things you had no time to do before.

You can prepare your food and cook three wholesome meals a day. You can exercise at least once a day. You can sleep normal hours and enough hours. You have nowhere to rush to, so there is ample time to have quality time with your kids and intimate time with your partner.

Live one day at a time.

Be in the moment. If all your needs are being met right now, feel calm and safe. Do this every day. Do not let the “what ifs” take over. This is true mindfulness.

Be grateful for what you have.

Focus on all the good in your life and ignore what you are missing.

See this time as an opportunity to refocus on what is important – life, health, family, basic needs. We all have an internal compass that always points North metaphorically. We all know that basics in life are good, we all know that life, family and health is more important than money. We all need money but given the choice, we all choose life.

If you have extra, give it away to someone who needs it.

Develop a spirit of abundance. You will be so much happier.

Surrender to spiritual thoughts and feelings.

People seem to be embarrassed to acknowledge they see a bigger picture, that they pray, that they need to believe in a Higher Power. If you have a yearning or have found a satisfying practice, indulge.

This crisis reminds us that nothing is permanent or assured.

In order to feel resilient and cope with change we need to be fit mentally and physically. From today, prioritise your mental and physical fitness. Security comes not from certainty about what life holds. It comes from believing you have the physical and mental prowess to cope with whatever comes your way.

ABOUT MASTERPIECE PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE

At Masterpiece Psychology (former Anxiety Solutions CBT Psychology Practice), we are committed to helping others. Whatever your situation, reach out. All our psychologists are bulk billing so there is no barrier to receiving the best care.

If you need advice or want to book an appointment, call Lisa 0466 833 886 , email reception@masterpiecepsychology.com.au or contact us.