How challenges during COVID-19 spurred personal growth
by Campbell Hauschild
Over the course of the pandemic, many challenges and obstacles have changed the way we live and how we interact with others. Isolation, family problems, mental health, and social issues are just some of the indirect difficulties created by the pandemic. Yet through these conditions, positive growth in communication, relationships, social justice, and self-care have been able to take place.
At the beginning of the pandemic, adjusting to isolation was difficult for many. Without social interactions, many people were fearful of losing contact with friends and family. Although technology allows us to stay connected, it still cannot replicate face-to-face interactions. Because of the difficulties around starting a conversation, communication has become more intentional and significant. Losing their luxury of pointless conversations has benefitted us by prioritizing what really needs to be said. Another benefit of limited communication is a greater appreciation for the time actually spent with others. Saying what is truly important brings out more authentic and valuable interactions.
Despite struggles with isolation and loneliness, time away from social pressures and interactions allow for personal growth. Without peer judgment or input, people were given the space to delve into their personal interests and explore them. The absence of outside influence on behavior lets people get a better understanding of who they are as a person. Time with your own thoughts and nothing else is seldom in our age of hyper-consumption. The pandemic forced us to be alone with our thoughts and feelings allowed many to grow personally with themselves, and gain a better grasp on who they are without their friends, sports, and activities. This focus on personal growth also allowed for the expansion of mental health resources. As some pre-existing struggles were only worsened by the pandemic, many reached out for professional help when they otherwise wouldn't have. The individual growth facilitated professionally and personally by our isolation proved as a benefit rather than a setback.
The growing recognition of social issues during the pandemic and the rise of activism also played a key role in the personal growth fostered by the pandemic. Due to media and political organizations providing misinformation on social issues, many were introduced to how profound the struggle of racism and inequality is in America. Protests around the country erupted in response to the corrupt and bastardized systems in place, and their voices were recognized. Alongside the fear of COVID-19 came a new wave of xenophobia, encouraged by political figures and citizens alike. Such negative and racist associations contributed greatly to the current plague of attacks on AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) in recent months. As discrimination against AAPI has frequently been disregarded and minimized, these issues gaining visibility have started more conversation on what can be changed and done.
Simultaneously the struggles of Indigenous people have recently been picked up by the media, despite these issues existing since the birth of America. Not only did COVID-19 affect indigenous communities at a much higher rate than others, but also their isolation made vaccine rollout ever more difficult. In tandem with the struggles created by the pandemic, Indigenous communities are fighting against Big Oil companies to save our environment. These problems are nowhere near their solution, but with greater coverage and visibility on these issues, progress is only to come.
As life changed and adapted to the pandemic so have people. The challenges posed by the pandemic originally seemed exhaustive and infinite, but through this time people have grown with them. Actively gaining a better perspective and understanding about oneself, others, and the world around us through activism has changed the way we experience life after the pandemic.