Five Years Later: Life Lessons and Growth Since the Pandemic

Five years ago today—March 13th—the world literally shut down. Can you believe it’s been that long? In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago, and in others, it feels like it just happened. It’s almost hard to wrap my mind around how much life has changed since that day.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think about everything we’ve been through as a family—and as a society—since the pandemic began. Everyone’s story is different, but we’ve all faced challenges and changes.

The Challenges We’ve Faced:
For my family, the past five years have been filled with ups and downs. We lost a beloved family member—a loss that is still so hard. We also went through a traumatic car accident with our daughter, who was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left her shaken and struggling to recover. On top of that, she faced a tough surgery with a long recovery, and today we’re meeting with the doctor to find out if she may need another one. It’s been an emotional and physical rollercoaster for her—and for us as a family.

On top of that, I faced unexpected changes in my part-time job, which forced me to rethink our plans and adjust to new realities. It often felt like life kept throwing curveballs—one after another.

Navigating Everyday Challenges:
And it wasn’t just the big events, either. The everyday challenges compounded the pressure—trying to keep things together while managing uncertainty.

And then there were our kids. The pandemic hit in the middle of their high school and elementary school years. Suddenly, they were cut off from friends and the normal experiences we all took for granted—school dances, social hangouts, and the little moments that make those years so special.

It broke my heart to see them miss out on so much, and I know many of you probably felt that same pain too. Trying to support their mental health while figuring out online classes, hybrid schedules, and social distancing was overwhelming. We just did the best we could.

The Weight of the Mental Load:
But it wasn’t just about school or work—it was the constant weight of mental load. The isolation, the fear of the unknown, and the constant juggling of responsibilities took a toll. I watched friendships strain and sometimes even break apart as families were faced with differing opinions and stress.

The global uncertainty and fear of the virus added another layer of worry that no one could have predicted.

Finding Purpose Amidst the Pause:
Yet, amidst all of that chaos and loss, something else happened too. The pause forced by the pandemic gave me a much-needed break—a chance to slow down and reflect for the first time in a long while.

I had been dreaming of starting my own business for years, but the busyness of life kept pushing it to the back burner. Suddenly, I wasn’t going into work every day, and that unexpected space allowed me to really think about what I wanted for my future. I realized that I didn’t just want to go back to life as it was. I wanted to create something new—something that gave me the freedom to live intentionally and build a life I loved.

So I took the leap and launched my business in August of 2020. It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely doubts and challenges along the way. But looking back now, I know that decision was a turning point for me. It helped me move from just surviving to intentionally building a life I love.

Slipping Back Into Old Patterns:
But as life and the world opened back up, I couldn’t help but notice how quickly we (as a society) slipped back into old patterns. The pace picked up again, and I found myself falling back into the same routines—just going through the motions, surviving the daily grind without being truly present in the day to day.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. It seems like many of us slipped right back into those familiar, busy patterns. And it makes me wonder... did we really hold on to the lessons we learned during the pandemic? Or did we simply fall back into the hamster wheel of life? Does anyone else feel this way?

Choosing to Thrive, Not Just Survive:
I’m sure many of you are asking yourselves the same question. It’s so easy to get stuck in survival mode—just trying to keep up with everything without feeling like you’re truly living.

But what if we could choose something different? What if we could build small, intentional habits that help us thrive—not just in our work, but in our home lives too? What if thriving became the new normal?

Join Me in a Simple Challenge:
That’s why I’m putting together something special—a simple challenge to help us all take back our time, energy, and routines. Through this challenge, I’ll be sharing 7 Simple Habits to Thrive at Work and Home.

Together, we’ll walk through practical steps to help us move from just surviving to truly living—one small habit at a time.

If you’re ready to break free from survival mode and start living intentionally, join me on Instagram! Starting March 17th, I’ll be sharing 7 simple habits to help you thrive at work and home in my Close Friends stories—along with support and accountability to keep you going. Sign up here to get access and learn how it’ll work! Let’s do this together!