There is no denying that these last twelve months have been exceptional with what the whole world has been through. The Covid-19 outbreak has been life-changing beyond what anyone could have really imagined. It has seen lockdowns, people having to stay at home, children not going to school, celebrations cancelled, travel banned and our lives pretty much put on hold. It hasn’t been the easiest of things to go through, especially for those who have lost loved ones to the virus.
However, we are getting to the stage where things are starting to improve and there is light at the end of the tunnel, and this means we can start to think about life post pandemic. What lockdowns have done, hopefully, is help us to appreciate the things we haven’t been able to do – those dinners with friends, the family celebrations that have been put on hold, the luxury trips that had to be postponed. It has certainly helped us to understand what and who are truly important to us, while simultaneously inspiring us to make some positive changes during and after the pandemic.
Many have been looking to embracing a new life where they can get what they want and do the things that they’ve always wanted to do. Where some were already working their dream jobs, others on furlough took the opportunity to fill their time with working on their passions, with some even quitting their previous jobs and focusing on their passion projects or dream jobs instead. And it isn’t just a change in career we’re talking about, it’s the prospect of grabbing hold of any previously held dream and actually making it happen – be it moving abroad, a bucket list travel experience, or working on other self-improvements, whether internal or external.
If there was ever a wake-up call needed to inspire you to change direction in one or more areas of your life, then this past year should have done the trick. If you’re looking toward a different future for yourself then read on for some ways to achieve this.
Travel
Sitting at home and daydreaming about those amazing travel experiences to be taken is all most of us can do at this time, but this only serves to fuel our big ambitions. Whether you were a big traveller previously, or not, the world is most certainly your oyster, and it is ready and waiting to welcome us all back to share in unforgettable experiences, dine on local cuisine and relish in those luxury hotels.
There is likely to be a shift in how we all travel – the use of private transport and secluded getaways becoming more desirable – and the tourism and hospitality industries are fully prepped for this. Whether it’s a private yacht charter in the Mediterranean, an extravagant villa in the Caribbean, a secluded palatial property on home turf or a wellness retreat in south east Asia, your desires will be met. Maybe it’s the city life you’ve been missing; the array of five-star hotels across a capital city, Michelin starred restaurants to dine in, shops to spend money in and museums and art galleries to visit, either way, get ready to indulge in your desires just as soon as you are able to.
Living abroad
The desire to reside in an area of seclusion, beauty, and where space is at a premium, is a big draw for many of us, and the booming housing market and use of many holiday homes during the lockdowns only proves this. But many are taking the idea a little further afield than this and planning a big move abroad. Some countries have handled the pandemic altogether differently and this will surely inspire those feeling trapped to seek out a new way of living. Education, quality of life, healthcare and the cost of living are some of the factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding on the country you will relocate to, as well as a potential language barrier and job availability.
Is a big move on the cards for you?
Self improvements
Many of us have been taking a good look at ourselves, treating our skin to facials at home and trying to stay on track with any exercise routines, but the truth is, it is hard. Stress plays an important part on how we look on the outside and the care that we would usually get from a professional – waxing, regular hair appointments, and other aesthetic treatments – has fallen by the wayside.
When salons, clinics and surgeries open up once again, there is likely to be a surge in bookings to have us looking and feeling our best again, as often the outside makes the inside feel a little more confident and ready to take on the challenges that life throws at us. Cosmetic surgeries, face lifts, hair transplants, laser eye surgery and the like will all be back on the agenda, and if you can’t wait, you can even start planning now. If a hair transplant is at the top of your post-lockdown list, then the Hairforlife online consultation service from Hairforlife-Andreas Krämer could be just the service you need.
Improve your home life
Of course, the changes you make don’t necessarily have to be big ones, they can involve your day-to-day life. Perhaps you’ve been working longer hours and your relationship with your partner is straining, you may be looking to spend more quality time with your children, maybe you would like to cut down on cocktail hour at home, strive to take up healthier eating and workout routines, or rethink a relationship altogether. If you feel deeply that something needs to change then take small steps to make this happen, you will thank yourself for it in the long run.
Making home improvements
More time at home means more time noticing all of those odd jobs around the house that need some attention. It may have been difficult to allow tradespeople into your home to do work, so now might be the time to start thinking about getting those improvements made. It could be that you want to extend your home, maybe you want an extra bedroom, living space or conservatory to relax in, or perhaps a new kitchen or bathroom are in order.
Smaller updates such as new flooring, light fixtures, updated décor or replacement windows might be on the list. Do your planning now, book in the relevant tradesperson – the good ones will be booked up well in advance – and get ready for a gorgeous new home.
Moving house
As mentioned above, the desire to move to new surroundings was a consideration for many, but with so much uncertainty flying around, you may have been putting a move on hold. Add to this the inability to view properties in person and the financial side of things, and the issue was only complicated further. However, there will soon be a way out of this current way of living and if you’re in a good financial position to do so, then perhaps it’s time to start thinking about a house move once again.
Career progression
With more waking hours being spent at work than anywhere else, you had better be sure that you are doing something that works for you in a number of ways.
Are you where you want to be in your career? Is it about time you looked at stepping up the career ladder or is it time you gave it all in and started up a business for yourself? You probably already know the answer to how you feel about work, so prepare and take the plunge in whichever way you need to if it’s going to make you a happier person.
