Please Remember WHAT WILL YOU MISS? TAKEAWAYS FROM THE PANDEMIC. STORY BY ALYCIA BURANT OF HEALTHY MINDS THERAPY
B
y nature, humans thrive on connection. Over the last year and a half or so, many people relearned how to connect in different ways. The pandemic illuminated areas in our lives where we crave attention as well as areas in our lives where we put too much unnecessary emphasis. As a society, many of us were forced to slow down and take a magnifying glass to our priorities and examine what really mattered. There were many horrific losses and changes during the pandemic that we cannot get back. However, there were also many changes that came with open arms and gave us permission to relax a bit. As we continue to transition into our community again, I invite you to bring along some of your newfound experiences and appreciations with you.
Please remember how much you loved eating every meal together with your loved ones. Pre-pandemic, maybe it was a treat or a rare occasion that you and your partner or you and your family ate a meal together at the family table. When the pandemic came, family meals became a regular, everyday occurrence for many people. Remember how much you cherished this time; the laughs you shared; the intimate emotions you exchanged; and the way you appreciated the food you had and the people who got it to you safely. Carry 16 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE
that gratitude with you as your meals may become less frequent together or as you eat out at local restaurants.
Please remember how good it felt to slow down. This one is huge. Let’s say that again. Remember how GOOD it felt to SLOW DOWN. For the first time, society normalized and accepted slowing down. It was okay to
