“The great gift of such periods is that they invite us to question our certitudes, our givens, these seemingly sure foundations that have lulled us into complacency — for it is only by being jolted out of our complacencies, cultural or personal, that we ever reach beyond the horizon, toward new territories of truth, beauty, and flourishing.”
– MARIA POPOVA
So much of what I’ve heard this year from family and friends has centred around what they miss. The things they took for granted before the pandemic. Wishing and hoping for some return to normality.
While it’s nice to daydream I believe such thoughts take you away from the present moment. Where you live. Where it’s most important you find things you’re grateful for.
For that reason I thought I’d turn the topic on it’s head and ask you all, what you will miss from this time in your life right now, when this whole pandemic blows over and normality resumes? (Whatever and whenever that is.)
Allow me to start.
I will miss the abundance of time I‘ve had with my family this year. I will miss seeing my precious boy grow during such a budding tender age. I will miss the times I’ve spent laughing, playing and being silly. I will miss being able to read him bedtime stories every night.
I will miss the time spent with my wife. Time that has brought us closer together. I will miss the heartfelt chats every evening before bed. Singing and chatting to her belly, feeling as my second child would wriggle and kick with excitement. A precious gift to bring in the new year.
I will miss connecting from isolation – long chats with family members and friends from all over the world. I miss the occasional virtual pub quiz. I will miss playing board games (something I’d not done for a long time before this year.)
I will miss the time available to pursue other ventures and pastimes. To read and write copious amounts. Time that has allowed my to write and publish my first children’s book. Time that has allowed me to start and grow a blog, that has allowed me to connect with so many wonderful like-minded people from all around the world. People who have helped inspire me, who have challenged me, who have made me a better person.
I will miss regular sleep – which I can tell you, for a pilot, is something I never take for granted! I will miss having a stable routine. For having the luxury to take my time and do everything I wish during my days off.
I will miss the time to myself. The solitude. The time to meditate at length and be still. To listen deeply. I will miss how this has helped me gain insights I might never have made otherwise.
I will miss creating art, playing video games, binge watching NETFLIX and otherwise being a complete slob.
I will miss this time because it’s my one and only life, and I believe it would be a mistake to spend it wishing for something else.
Let me finish by saying how incredibly grateful I am for a year that has challenged me considerably. For a year that has made me both wiser and stronger. For a year that has made me more integral. For a year that has brought me closer to the values I hold dear.
For a year that has given me something few others have. A much wider perspective. A much greater resilience. A much deeper love and compassion for both myself and the wider world.
For a year that has put me in a better position to weather the storm ahead. For a year that will make the rest of them that much brighter.
Thanks for reading everyone. I wanted to take the time to practise some gratitude with you all this week. Let me know some of the things you will miss from this time in your life below. If you want to humour me you can tell me some of things you won’t miss as well. Wishing you all the very best, AP2 x
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If you’d like to read some more of AP2’s nonsensical world views and exceptionally poor self-help advice be sure to check out his blog at: https://clear-air-turbulence.com
This is so powerful because good things are tucked into bad situations!
When this is over, I will miss having my daughters home every day. I will miss the security of knowing my girls are safe and healthy at home.
Thank you Nova. There always a silver lining. We just have to look for it! Missing the security of knowing your family is safe and healthy is a good one! Thank you for sharing 🙏
My pleasure! I enjoyed this post very much!
Nice shift in perspective. I will most likely miss the time I saved not commuting.
Thank you annkathrin! My job is one endless commute 😂 – Although I will miss not having to live with constant jetlag as a result of flying much less! Thank you for sharing 🙏
Wow, you pretty much nailed the whole list, AP22. Well, other than the baby bump thing, though I have cherished my youngest child’s presence and company more than ever, our last time together before she goes away to college. I will not miss the damned masks though, as it’s hard to breathe with them, and just weird. People have worn masks in various Asian countries for decades when they’re sick or immunocompromised, so it’s a good practice that Westen culture can adopt. Every day for everybody though, pffft! Like to see the end of that. Thanks for the reflections. 🙂
Yes I definitely won’t miss the masks! Although I’ll miss the constant debate about them even less. Here in Hong Kong no one thought twice – if anything it felt like something that banded everyone behind a common purpose. You’re right that culture has much to do with it. Alas culture change takes time. I believe the West won’t hesitate so much the next time (god forbid) such an event takes place. Thank you for sharing yours 🙏
oops, I was shivering cold, but mean AP2.
It feels really good to read this shift of perspective. I personally will miss the amount of time for myself, whether it’s for rest or healing from unhealthy thoughts. I will miss the enormous time I have to take care of my plants. I will miss the nights where I don’t have to worry about the deadlines waiting for me the next day. Sounds really selfish, because right now I’m only by myself 😅
Having quality time to oneself – esp the way you describe – is not, in my eyes, selfish. I believe what brings us true peace and happiness, what helps to heals us, ultimately helps the world as well. Not worrying about deadlines is a good one – hadn’t thought of that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙏
I will miss the exponential personal growth brought about from spending much time in solitude.
Exponential personal growth is a great way to look at this year! Thank you for sharing Lisa 🙏
Wow, amazing, we are in such a hurry to go back to ‘normal ‘ that we haven’t really thought about it from this angle,have we?Thanks for the food for thought 🤗
You’re welcome. It was thanksgiving last week that put me in the gratitude mindset. From that came this idea. Thanks for the comment 🙏
Excellent. Couldn’t agree more. I will miss many things this year has brought.
Thank you 🙏
I will miss getting up at 8, staggering into the family room, and beginning my work on my laptop in my recliner in my nightgown. Once I go back to work, It is up at 5:30, putting on “work clothes”, struggling with traffic on my 75-minute commute, and arriving at work at 8.
I will also miss seeing daylight all day and the trees transforming for Fall and Winter outside my window as I work.
I can relate to that! Not having to rush into my morning routine. Taking my time with everything. Sitting down to work feeling a lot less stressed as a result. Thank you for sharing. I love the fall. Always a beautiful time of the year. Wishing you well 🙏
An absolutely brilliant post. Thank you for bringing this perspective into focus. I echo nearly each of your items, capturing the value gained by the extra time we weren’t expecting.
Thank you for your kind words Jane. I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙏
I will miss all the time I’ve spent outside, with my boyfriend on dates, with my nieces and nephews just fooling around, with my sister taking walks, with my momma on an early lunch. I will miss the way the world has opened up before us and reminded us how that our tiny little lives are part of a grand collective.
Lovely words. I believe family time has been a life saver for many of us this year. The year has certainly given us perspective. Thank you so much for sharing 🙏
It definitely has. And thank you for posting
will surely miss the time for doing other things and hobbies. .
I feel like this year reminded me of all the other stuff I can do in my spare time aside from binge watch Netflix- many of which I fully intends to make time for going forward. Thank you for sharing 🙏
What a great question; it does seem as if too many are focused on what they are missing rather than what they will miss when this is over. For me, I will miss the free time I have to write every night. I will miss being able to cook all my own meals at home opposed to always being on the run. I’ll miss the heightened impact of every social interaction and every smile beneath a mask when before I took them for granted. Indeed, there has been a lot of beauty in this year.
“I’ll miss the heightened impact of every social interaction and every smile beneath a mask when before I took them for granted.” – That’s beautiful E.L. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙏
<3
I don’t know if it’s because it’s the most recent and easy to remember but for me this year has been the best year I’ve ever had.
I have learned more this year than I ever did any other year. I have found myself again after a few years of being lost in the desires of the society.
I’ve never been this awake and conscious to things happening around me. I have seen many positives this year in my life. I acknowledge many people have lost their lives and their loved ones to the covid pandemic and I offer my heartfelt condolences.
The only dark side to this year for me has been depression. I try to stay strong but sometimes it’s too much but I will keep fighting. I’m sure things will get better. I know many people are suffering from the same and I wish them courage, strength and resilience. A little positive attitude can help a lot.
This is the year I have finally come to accept myself regardless of whatsever any other person thinks or says. I have embraced my innermost feelings and like water learnt to flow with them.
Francis these are lovely words. I believe it’s been a year of immense personal growth for so many of us.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt this year is that growth only goes two ways. We either go forward or we go backwards. We don’t get to rest in one position.
Depression is a battle I’ve spent the last decade consumed with. Acceptance is the way to “fight” it. It’s counter intuitive of course but it makes sense once you do.
Thank you Francis. As always I really appreciate your honest and open words. I wish you the very best buddy – truly, deeply. 🙏
Thank you bro. I wish you the best too. In all that you do.
Congratulations on your second child! I too have had wonderful times during the pandemic that I will miss too when life goes back to normal. Time with my immediate family has been wonderful. I think I had one of the greatest gifts – a new baby and my partner being able to spend a great deal of time with her. It’s been so special.
That’s wonderful Nicci. Many congrats to you and your partner too! It is a magical time. Wishing you well 🙏
Such an emotive piece and so true. I don’t think life will ever be the same for any of us. It is always about the here and now. Thank you for sharing a different prospective.
I wish you much happiness and congratulations to you both. Health and Happiness.
Life is never same in any one moment. It just is. All the more reason to accept it for exactly that, for which we have so little choice.
Thank you so much for your well wishes. I wish you the same. Together we will all emerge from 2020 stronger. 🙏
You really have me thinking. I’m going to reflect and write down my reasonings. Beautiful share!
Thank you so much! Please let me know what you come up with. 🙏
I always wonder how many people realize that this whole pandemic time has allowed them the luxury to really ENJOY (In Joy) their largest investment—their HOME! (The very thing they leave everyday to go and work to pay for!)
—except me. I have been working from home for 3.5 years. ❤️🦋🌀
You are so right….this pandemic has given us a new love and respect for the place we call home 🏡❤️
Such a good point. I love being at home – that’s why I call it so. Thank you for sharing 🙏
It’s so important to be thankful for the the things we take for granted.. especially during such tough times 👍❤️
Yes – Critical I’d say! Thank you for your comment 🙏
100% both blog post and comments. I can’t express the sentiments better than all of you have. I will miss those three months out of work so badly. It was like being on summer vacation. I won’t be the same again now that I have tasted freedom away from my job to remember who I was before, what I had wanted.
I know what you mean – I think this year has made it clear that I value freedom above all else – well above things like money or fame. I realise this is what I want going forward, what I mean to work hard for in the future. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙏
AP, thank you for this thought-provoking post. I am so anxious for the illness, death, and unrest to end! But I think I will miss many of the bloggers when they go back to their normal lives. WordPress is such a creative, intelligent, supportive community, and I have enjoyed interacting with others on this site. <3 Have a good weekend!
Now that you put it this way. I definitely hope and pray that all will manage time to connect through this app because for some of us we consider you all as family. We may have never seen or heard each other but through this site we are together
Beyond Thought, I feel that way about those I have met here. I initially planned to participate just through the end of the pandemic, but I think I want to continue at some level after that. All the best!
Thank you very much. Same to you.
Thank you Cheryl – I’m looking forward to a more peaceful time as well. Blogging has been a lifesaver having spent so many days in quarantine this year. I, for one, fully intend to keep up with it when normality resumes. Wishing you a wonderful weekend too 🙏
Although this blogging experience has been very positive, I know I can’t sustain the pace indefinitely. I am thinking about how to manage it going forward. I too, do want to continue. <3 All the best, AP.
Yes I too will have to find a better balance – its already a struggle and I have more time now than I will next year after my second arrives! If you work out how to make it work, please let me know Cheryl! 🙏
That was extremely touching. I just loved it! I realized that this is will be my condition when everything will be back to normal. Thank you flr this!
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙏
Lovely post 🤍 I will miss having my entire fam home – and the random drives into the mountains we take when work gets finished early.
More time to explore is a good one! Thank you for sharing 🙏
I love this post so much, AP2! What a delightful attitude to have during this challenging time (and really, an attitude we should perhaps carry into the future).
I too, will miss things about this time. I will miss working from home, in my sweat pants. I will miss the clear, open calendar. I will miss the cozy nights with our infant son, snuggled on his Daddy’s chest, as he now grows into a toddler.
There are so many beautiful things about this difficult time, and I thank you for reminding me to see them, friend. 🕊
Thank you snap dragon. I’m glad it resonated. I agree about carrying it forward. I believe that gratitude is a prerequisite for happiness.
My boy has turned into a fully fledged toddler this year! It’s a magic time – one to cherish for sure.
All the best 🙏
Indeed! Cherish those precious moments. 🕊
Congrats on publishing a children’s book-way to go-great post also!
Thank you 🙏
“I will miss this time because it’s my one and only life, and I believe it would be a mistake to spend it wishing for something else.” – I love this line so much. It was my favorite line in your post and I think it is absolutely spot on. We only get one life and we don’t have time to waste on being miserable.
That said, I really didn’t identify with much else in your post. My home life isn’t great, so spending so much time at home does not feel like a blessing. I’m thankful because overall, my situation even with COVID is pretty good, but there really isn’t any positive from the COVID period that I’m going to miss.
That’s ok though. We’re allowed to have different experiences and different reactions to them.
I’m glad that line resonated. There is a huge amount I won’t miss from this period either but my home life – I’m extremely thankful to say – has been a blessing. I’m sorry to hear yours hasn’t been so great. All things swings and roundabouts of course. It’s encouraging to see that you are still grateful for your situation despite everything. I think this is important. Wishing you the very best, AP2 🙏
Agreed – always important to be thankful! Wishing you the best as well
Most of what I have are regrets, man. Of not giving my full attention to my kids and wife when I was at home when pandemic came. Now that I am back aboard the ship, it’s all regrets. If only I could go back in time.
Hi Jonathan – thanks for your comments. I am no stranger to regret – I often beat myself up when I’ve not given my family my best. I always think I could have done better. Regret has its place of course – its meant to stop you from repeating past behaviours. The problem I find is that it takes you away from the present – where you need to be to put things right. Of course we need to learn but we also need to move on – just make sure we don’t make the same mistake next time (easier said than done of course.) Anyway not sure if my words are of any comfort but I do hope you can put past mistakes behind you can concentrate on the present. Wishing you well, AP2 🙏
For someone living in Rural Western Australia, COVID is like something from the movies, we don’t have it here, & it’s not directly effecting our lives. So it is majorly eye opening to hear from people who are directly impacted. I also love the positive spin to it all, mindset is key!
Thank you for your comments. COVID has affected my life in a big big way. I’ve seen one in five of my colleagues lose their jobs. Although I’m lucky to still have mine I’ve been forced onto a degraded contract that will affect the rest of my career. As you say mindset is key! I believe gratitude goes a long way to help us during trying times. Wishing you the very best. 🙏
A refreshing perspective! There are so many elements of lockdown that I have appreciated but feel awkward to admit. I will miss its general quietness and the slow pace most of all.
Thank you. This year has been both a blessing and a curse in many ways. Of course some have had it much worse than others. Still it’s important to count your blessings. I too will miss the slower pace of it all. Wishing you well 🙏
Thank you for this! So true about this year being a blessing! Congratulations on your baby and your book and everything you’ve accomplished this year!
Thank you so much. It’s been both a blessing and a curse in many ways. Some affected worse than others. Still it’s important to look at the silver lining! Wishing you well 🙏
In many ways, I wish this way of life would continue. The first few weeks of the UK lockdown in March were wonderful. Little noise, no traffic. A simpler and less wasteful life would make for a better world. Away from consumerism, more and busyness.
I agree. I’ve felt that as a society we’ve needed to slow down for a long time. Didn’t expect it come to such a shuddering halt of course! Still it made me realise I want a slower pace of life going forward. That’s what allows you to take it in. Something I’ve not been doing in recent years. Thanks Anthony. Wishing you well 🙏
Thanks for this interesting question, AP2. I have been working from home since March. This has given me a great opportunity to spend more time with my wife who also works from home. In the past, I would some times come in from work just as she was leaving the house to go to her workplace. Plus, I’m a bit of an introvert, so working at home has been wonderful. In fact, I’m not looking forward to going back in person. All in all, I haven’t found this period to be terribly stressful (but I’m cognizant of the fact that many have faced all sorts of tragedies during this period, and for that, i feel a deep sense of sorrow). Perhaps that’s because I’m pretty flexible and have developed this trait having lived and worked in five countries, some of which we often call (though I hate this term) “developing.” I’ve lived through revolutions and military coups and such so a virus was really no big deal.
I’ve found the time at home this year to be a real blessing. As a pilot it’s definitely been a stressful. Many friends have lost their jobs. Although I’ve managed to cling to mine (for now) a lot has changed. Still I’m grateful for what I have and also cognizant that many others have had it much worse. It’s interesting though that the political situation in HK has bothered me much more than my work. I can always move on and find another job but Hong Kong will never be the same. Perhaps that’s the perspective you’ve gained from having lived through worse. Everything is always changing. Sometimes you have to embrace the things you cannot control. Thanks Troy. Appreciate your thoughts 🙏
Awesome!!! 2020 is a very unforgettable year for every one and you nailed every perspective of it!
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙏
Such an awesome post…. Thank you🌼💛
Thank you 🙏
Really intensive and therapeutic, in a world where everyone is complaing for what has gone lost, this is an absolute importan question. I think I will miss having free time, and the opportunity to spend it with my parents warching a film or playing cards. Something so easy, something we had forgot and that we remembered during the quarantine.
Thank you for your kind words. Playing cards is a good one. Got stuck into board games this year and forgot how much fun they are. Thanks for sharing 🙏
Great read! Honestly, this pandemic hasn’t changed much for me. I’m a stay-at-home mom and I homeschool. I avoid crowds and public places for the most part lol so fortunately, life has continued as normal for us.
But what I like is seeing posts like yours – seeing others relish in their time at home with their loved ones, watching them realize how precious time spent together is ❤, seeing people slow down and find out what’s most important… that’s what I appreciate about it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And I’m pleased to hear of someone who hasn’t been so badly affected by the pandemic!
Family life has been such a blessing for me this year. It’s made me realise what I want going forward. A much slower pace of life. Thank you for your comments. 🙏
This is a great way to look a time we may wish had never happened for all the pain it caused so many. But we are here, living through it, and if we find the good within this time, no matter how small, we can move forward together. I realise I speak from a place where it feels like I’m a million miles away from it all, but if I could extend the safety we have here in New Zealand to overseas shores I would. Instead I offer what I can through words and hope. Kia kaha (stay strong) friends.
I will miss taking time to sit with a cup of tea each day and breathe deeply of the fresh air. I will miss watching an entire tv series with my flatmates on a Saturday because it was safer being inside. I will miss working from home where on my lunch break I can catch up with my brother while playing through a cooperative video game. I will miss the peace I felt of not having so many decisions about what to do with my time.
I will also take all of these things and weave it into my current life as New Zealand continues to work hard to be vigilant. Especially I will take the time to be thankful for all that I have, including the wonderful people I can talk to everyday through their wonderful blog posts. Peace.