The last time we went through a great reset was when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world in 2020. Great meaning “remarkable in magnitude,” as defined by Merriam Webster, not great as in how we commonly use it as “good.” For many it was far from great—brutal, even. Heartbreaking, challenging, a time of loss and confusion. Still, we can’t deny that our nation and world went through a reset of indescribable proportions.
Whether or not you’ve noticed that our country is going through its own reset—which is impacting the world at large—it seems to me that many of us are also going through our own personal resets, great or otherwise. Instead of just haphazardly dealing with life and circumstances as they come our way, what if we thoughtfully approached the different areas of our lives to see where we might shore up any weaknesses, while we’re able? What if we considered that our own personal reset was, in a sense, part of a revolution?
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For me, the past month just about knocked me out and I quickly realized that I had not been properly prepared in a few areas. World events aside, I worked at my publishing job every day for more than three weeks straight to meet some aggressive deadlines, and also endured some major transitions on my team that left me both heartbroken and overworked with no help toward meeting those deadlines, pushing me once again into an unsustainable survival mode. This, while also navigating some highly unusual personal and financial situations. I felt like the systems and institutions I had relied on for years—or decades, in some cases—were no longer a source of stability, and I was beginning to feel like I was living in an alternate reality. In short, I was mentally and physically depleted.
Can you relate on some level?
Now that the dust is beginning to settle (at least in my work life), I’m suddenly in need of a decently sized, if not great, reset for myself. This calls for a look at my life and lifestyle. If you feel called for something similar, I invite you to join me on this little exploration.
Why bother?
Because, according to the great wisdom of Switchfoot, “We were meant to live for so much more.”
Lightheartedness aside, let’s not forget that. There’s more available than merely surviving—and it’s also okay if that’s all we’re doing right now.Subscribe
What We Can Borrow from the Pandemic Reset
Whether or not you’re ready for a major life overhaul, it seems to me that with our nation going through a massive transition, we’ll need to individually and collectively consider how to navigate these times. I sense the need for us to—shall we say—“get ahead of things” while we’re still able. Because when I think back to what the pandemic forced upon us, a few things come to mind as far as major lifestyle shifts that may prove to be useful now.
- Forced Slowdown: Lockdowns and restrictions forced many of us to slow down, spend more time at home, and re-evaluate our priorities. This led to a greater appreciation for simple pleasures, like spending time with family, connecting with nature, and pursuing hobbies.
- Increased Focus on Health and Well-being: The pandemic heightened awareness of health and well-being, leading to increased interest in exercise, healthy eating, and mental health practices.
- Strengthened Local Connections and Community: With travel restricted, many people rediscovered their local communities, supporting local businesses and building stronger connections with their neighbors. There’s a renewed appreciation for local communities, with people seeking connection and support close to home.
- Increased Intentionality: This time prompted many people to live more intentionally, making conscious choices about how they spend their time, who they connect with, and what they prioritize.
- Greater Flexibility and Adaptability: The experience of navigating a global crisis has increased people’s resilience and adaptability. They’re more prepared to embrace change and adjust to new circumstances.
The pandemic undoubtedly had a significant impact on how we live, work, and connect with each other. It has accelerated some existing trends and created new ones, shaping the landscape of lifestyle in the years to come—and these shifts offer opportunities for us to design lives that are more aligned with our values and priorities—even when our nation’s values are in flux and perhaps contradict our own. Still, hope is not lost; this is a chance to not only create a lifestyle that’s comfortable or successful, but a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and sustainable.
When to Reset: Recognizing the Signals
I find it next-to-impossible to want to reset in the middle of a major transition or during a crisis. It’s enough to just get by and to do the critical jobs at hand. Knowing when to initiate a reset is just as important as knowing how. It’s not always about waiting for a full-blown crisis to hit (in fact, I recommend you don’t wait until then; try to get ahead of it, if you can—hence my writing this today). Often, subtle signals indicate that a recalibration is needed, and this is a reminder to not ignore them.
If you’re smackdab in the middle of one of life’s storms, now might not be the time. Consider bookmarking this page for later when you’re ready. But if, like me, you’re able to catch your breath and “let the snow globe settle,” (as my husband likes to say), then maybe it’s time to take a simple inventory.
Sometimes it’s obvious when there’s an area of life that’s plain out of whack and in dire need of a reset. Other times, it can simply feel as though something is “off”—just not quite right. In those times, I like to visit the Wheel of Life chart, which, according to Positive Psychology, “came from industry pioneer Paul J. Meyer in the 1960s to help people realize their goals.” Perhaps you’ve heard of this before as it’s a popular tool used by coaches and therapists and professionals in the personal growth space. My husband, who works as a professional coach, has used this in his practice with his clients, but we’ve been using this together long before then. Some professionals, like author and coach Brendan Burchard in his High Performance Planner, recommend doing this weekly as a way to help you to stay on top of priorities, making minor adjustments as needed instead of major overhauls in an emergency.
I feel like we need to keep things uncomplicated these days, and find the Wheel of Life a simple yet useful tool to help gain clarity when everything seems chaotic or when I don’t know where to begin—like now. I’ve discovered that oftentimes it’s maybe only one or two areas that have gone off the rails that make it feel like everything else is in crisis. Hopefully, you’ll discover a couple of key areas that—when given a little time and attention—will create more peace and fulfillment, and spill over to all areas of your life, providing an overall sense of balance and harmony.
The segment names for the areas can vary, and there are dozens if not hundreds of models available online, but I’ve created a simple traditional model below for you to print out and use to get you started. Feel free to add your own categories for those things that are important to you. This could include things like home environment, community contribution, creativity, political activism, or even a specialized metric that you want to track.
Before you fill this out, let’s take a look at some key indicators or signs across these areas of life that may be telling you it’s a time for a reset.
Career/Work
Signs: Persistent dread of work, consistently working more than forty hours per week, chronic lateness, decreased productivity, frequent conflicts with colleagues, a feeling of stagnation, role or process confusion, a persistent sense of overwhelm, feeling like you can just never get back on track let alone ahead, or when work consistently drains your energy instead of providing fulfillment, it’s time to reassess.
Money & Finances
Signs: Financial anxiety, living paycheck to paycheck despite adequate income, accumulating unnecessary debt, neglecting savings, feeling a sense of helplessness regarding your financial situation, or when financial stress consistently impacts your well-being, it’s time to take control and reset your financial habits.
Health (Physical & Mental)
Signs: Unexplained fatigue, frequent illnesses, changes in sleep or appetite, increased irritability, persistent sadness or anxiety, neglecting exercise, or using unhealthy coping mechanisms, when your physical or mental health is consistently compromised, or when you receive a professional diagnosis or lab results outside of normal standards, it’s a clear signal to prioritize well-being.
Partner/Love Relationship
Signs: Decreased intimacy, frequent arguments, communication breakdowns, feeling emotionally distant, a sense of resentment, romantic curiosity about other people, or when the connection with your partner feels strained or lost, it’s time to refocus on the relationship.
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Family & Friendships
Signs: Feeling isolated or lonely, neglecting social connections, experiencing frequent conflicts, feeling burdened by relationships, feeling a lack of emotional support, not having anyone to have meaningful conversations with, or when your social connections are a source of stress rather than support, it’s time to reset your social life.
Personal Growth
Signs: Feeling stagnant or unfulfilled, losing interest in hobbies, lacking motivation, feeling a sense of purposelessness, or when you feel a disconnect from your passions, it’s time to reignite your sense of purpose.
Fun/Recreation
Signs: Never having time for leisure activities, feeling constantly stressed or overwhelmed, losing your sense of humor, feeling like life is all work and no play, or when you consistently neglect activities that bring you joy, it’s time to prioritize fun and relaxation.
