We asked Canadians what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught them
Margaret Cook points to the death of her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic as having taught her the importance of showing appreciation for those around you.
“You don’t know what the future is going to bring,” she said. “I hope everybody goes out and hugs a stranger when this is over – that’s what we need.”Amanda Wright also says the pandemic has highlighted the importance of cherishing those around her, especially family members. “We’re going back to the basics of life, the building blocks that would have always been there…but that we lost sight of,” said the 44-year-old. “I can’t get that [support] from going to a store and buying something, but I can get it from spending time with my family and…being there for each other.”
The 57-year-old explains that spending time with her circle of loved ones is much more meaningful than getting caught up in the world of pro sports. Some of the sporting events she previously enjoyed following most included hockey and NFL playoffs, as well as the Tour de France. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from having my life altered is that money is only important for what you need and not for what you want,” the Dartmouth, N.S. resident told CTVNews.ca in an email on May 14. “It’s nice to be able to keep up with the Joneses, but it’s not as important as feeling healthy, safe and secure, and being surrounded by your family and friends.”
But after months of being at home, the isolation started getting not only to her, but to her husband and retired mother, as they all live together. This, she says, took a toll on her mental health and led to mounting frustrations. Not being able to see the people she relies on for support to get through this tough time has been difficult, says the 22-year-old. While she admits she’s able to stay in touch with friends, family members and even her therapist through phone calls and video chats, it isn’t the same as being able to see them in person, or give them hug and tell them she loves them.
Johnston says she will definitely be making more of an effort to check up on those close to her during the pandemic and once it’s over.Hand in hand with prioritizing mental health comes the idea of the importance of not being so busy. Megan Thomson from Ottawa says this is something she realized during the pandemic.
Emily Hunter of Beamsville, Ont. also explains how slowing down and not being so busy has helped improve her life. “What if I don’t know how [to] spend my days with two little ones at home all the time? What if I can’t go to my parents for help? What if I don’t measure up to be the mom I want to [be] and can’t run around and be busy to cover up my real fears?” wrote the 31-year-old.
Not only is it important to do what we can to stay healthy and at ease, but also to make sure we’re doing things that make us happy, says Karen Norton, especially during a time of so much sadness.
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