Lean on me.....and you
Are your social butterfly wings feeling a little underutilized lately? If so, I understand!
Despite the ongoing Zoom calls, online gatherings and massive text chains, I’ve heard a lot about how social isolation is one of the most distressing parts about life in a COVID-19 world.
Isolation can be extremely challenging for us humans. We’re primates after all – which means we have dexterity, impressive eyesight, and are social creatures. So it makes sense that we’re seeking more real-life connection these days and are missing gathering together with friends and family. It’s tough.
Back in the day, two of the most important benefits for humans living in groups were having more eyes to find (or defend) food and having the ability to transfer knowledge. People learned from each other and they valued the exchange of wisdom as a true gift (particularly from elders).
This knowledge transmission is literally how we were able to stop reinventing the wheel. And of course, it was super helpful to know that there was cliff at the bend in the road when starting out a on journey somebody else had already travelled….
Nowadays, we continue to have opportunities learn from others. You can take a free contemporary art lesson from MoMA or learn how to bake Queen Elizabeth’s favorite scones from her former chef. We also, perhaps more than ever, have an opportunity to learn from ourselves.
As a friend said to me, “staying home alone is tough enough without being stuck with your own thoughts!” Touché, my friend. While it’s nice to have activities to focus on and distractions to keep my mind occupied, I know that paying a bit more attention to those thoughts running around my head is not a bad idea….
Now is a time to lean on the strength of others AND of yourself.
In the financial world, the term ‘herd mentality’ refers to investors’ tendency to copy or follow what others are doing with their money. It’s a term used frequently during times of crisis, and it’s a reminder of how powerful emotions and instincts can be when making money decisions. When following the herd, investors may make decisions that do not align with their personal goals, timelines, or comfort levels with risk. They act because of the influence of others, and then they may not be pleased with the results.
When it comes to decisions about your wealth and your wellness, getting very clear on what you want is top priority. What are your goals? Why do they matter to you? In my experience, picturing what it will feel like when you reach your goal is a quick way to get clarity - and is an excellent motivator when times get tough!
Now is a time to lean on the strength of yourself AND of others.
Try this:
Think about 3 wellness goals you want to work toward over the next 3 months. Write them down. Say them out loud 3 times. Reflect on why you want to achieve them. And decide 1 thing you will do within the next 24 hours to make it happen!
AND
Reach out to your older friends and relatives for a wisdom transfer! Ask your sage colleagues about what they’ve learned via their life experiences. Get curious. And, if possible, see what you can learn that will specifically help you to achieve your 3 personal goals. Of course, if you just want to obtain the family dynasty’s recipe for banana bread, that’s okay too!
Yes, we’re social creatures and we’re feeling socially deprived. Yet, we might just have an opportunity right now to learn more about our community and ourselves….so, let’s give a try, shall we?