Working alone can cause people to feel lonely, anxious, & unsatisfied. But how can this mentality be turned around?
Image by ArmaÄźan BaĹźaran from Pexels | edited by author
During the years of COVID19, no matter where we were in the world, we were coped up and needing simple ways to keep ourselves busy.
With the addictive lure of social media, we often felt like we were missing out on exciting events, whether that be going to concerts, hanging regularly with friends, or simply dining to a well-end restaurant.
With all the distractions from the TV to our phones, we were becoming less creative and more homebound.
But how does a simple mentality amid all the distractions, actually help us focus better on being creative?
Most of us have heard the phrase,
“Happiness is making the most of what you have, and riches is making the most of what you’ve got.”
This means being content on what you have, not asking for more.
And there’s a reason why, which might not be what you’re thinking.
But firstly, let’s dive into an experience during COVID that is personal to me…
For the remaining years of high school, I was alone.
I had a few conversations with friends from school, but they were slowly fading away.
I didn’t know how long COVID was going to last, so I was often restless.
Also, I started getting addictive to playing Minecraft, and whenever I was asked to do something I would put it off.
I was starting to become quite a rebel.
One day, I was walking around my house, probably to a destination…
and noted something outside my window.
Bright, green leaves.
It was June at the time, so it had been over 2 months since they’ve grown in.
But I never noticed them before.
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/692497
Upon closer inspection to my window, I noticed how they dazzled in the sunlight. The wind letting them sway ever so gently, with the bright, blue sky behind it and the puffy summer clouds in the air.
Why had I just noticed them now?
Some may argue different reasons, but I suggest it might be just that and a little more.
Being Alone Gave me Perspective
Even though I have lived in the same house for over a decade, I still see the little things.
The small patch of dirt on the carpet, tracked in from when it was rainy.
To the morning sun as it rises only partial-way in the sky during winter.
In fact, I’m noticing things as I’m writing here
(I mean, I need to see something to describe it after all… and yes, it is nearing winter at my place).
As I’ve noticed these things over the years, it brings my mind to the small things…
Not to the next post of Ariana Grande on my feed, or the next Gucci bag on Amazon (don’t quote my accuracy please);
Image by KĂ©vin et Laurianne Langlais from Pexels
But to the small branch sprouting a small leaf, amid several growing, little by little each day.
Life slows down, when we think this way.
Not only that, but our surroundings start feeling open, not cramped. Even if my place is the only home I’ve stayed day-in and day-out for years, I still see new things every day.
Seeing things from a new perspective, helped me to not focus on my life “problems,” like being homebound during COVID,
it gave me peace of mind.
It’s a perspective we grow into, but once set in, that mentality stays.
When I first noticed the bright cluster of leaves that summer day, I started looking for more things to notice.
It could almost be like a game, noticing things in your house, which you swore you knew upside-down.
Sure, I still had an addiction to Minecraft. But once I had that seed implanted in my mind, my mindset gradually changed into a more-disciplined self.
Even during the time of COVID when I was alone, I didn’t feel alone.
But that’s me,
some need people.
Being Ourselves
There’s an article I came across, which suggested that some people need people to thrive.
They just function differently, and need human contact.
I knew some friends like this, and they couldn’t be by themselves for too long.
But neither did they notice the small things that I did.
They were only waiting for the next opportune moment to talk away with someone about the ironing they did or the next social media post by someone. Social media is social for a reason…
Image by Yan Krukau from Pexels
I often couldn’t relate as well with these people, because I was an introvert and they were extroverts. Not that our shared commonalities made these two extremes so different, but association-wise, it did.
When you’re talking, laughing with a person or a group of friends, it’s like our whole surrounding revolves around them; it’s all we see.
But being alone opens us, even the extroverted of extroverts, because it makes us see the little things.
We notice more about the other person than we did before, because suddenly we’re seeing outside the forest from the trees.
We might even deepen our friendship with that person.
Sharing with others
By being alone, we can help others to understand our new perspective, too.
“Everything happens at the right time.” — Anthea C. Stratigos
Even if you don’t understand what I mean — like myself a few years ago, this understanding might POP from out of the blue.
It might come to you when you have a quiet moment to yourself in the morning, or when you’re gathered with a large group of friends, yet —
notice the splash of color that illuminates a sunset.
Image by Min An from Pexels
This is just a reminder to look deeper than what first appears to the eye,
so that we can be content to see the small things in life, rather than the ==“more more” mentality that association==, and social feeds- “feed” onto us.==
And keep working towards the creative activities that fuel us,
nonetheless of our situation.
I hope you enjoyed this read! This is a topic I’ve been thinking about for a while, and writing it has given me the opportunity to ponder over my growth in the past few years.
If you relate in some way or this resonated in another way, please share!