“Life with COVID-19 and Beyond,” For the Strength of Youth, Feb. 2022.
Life with COVID-19 and Beyond
Things have changed—but so have you.
The last two years have been pretty crazy. We’ve faced a pandemic that brought the constant presence of masks, physical distancing, and virtual meetings into our lives. But now everything can finally go back to exactly the way it was before!
Right?!
Well … maybe, but it might not be that easy. Many people have felt isolated and uncertain. And going through a pandemic isn’t the only time we’ll have these kinds of feelings. This life isn’t always easy, and it was never meant to be. We’ll all face challenges. Here are a few ideas on how to smooth the transition back into life after COVID-19. These tips can also help you face challenges in the future.
Show Up
Living our lives through online classes, quarantines, and lockdowns can easily cause us to be comfortable staying home and being by ourselves. But we were never meant to live life in isolation. Getting together at church, school, or activities is needed now more than ever. President Nelson has invited us to help gather Israel,1 and that includes gathering yourself to be with others.
Reconnect with Old Friends, Start Connecting with New
With some friendships, you can go months, or even years, without seeing each other, but the moment you reconnect will feel like nothing has changed. Not all friendships are like this, however. Sometimes after a long time apart (such as during a pandemic) things can feel a bit off when friends finally reconnect. Here are a few tips on how to reconnect with old friends or make new ones:
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Pay attention to your friend. Friendship grows stronger when you show interest in what’s really going on in your friend’s world. Try listening to them and noticing what they do.
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Remember what they like. Make note of their favorite treats, songs, colors, sports teams, and so on. You never know when that information can brighten your friend’s day!!
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Value differences. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “The Church thrives when we take advantage of … diversity and encourage each other to develop and use our talents to lift and strengthen our fellow disciples.”2
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Take time to serve. Send a friendly text message. Help out with chores. Share a skill. Be a support on good and bad days. Reach out and help where you can. Remember what the Savior taught about giving such service: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Getting Ourselves Unstuck
One feeling many have had during and after the pandemic is being stuck. Maybe you have not felt completely happy and fulfilled with how things are going for you. Maybe your life is not where you want it to be.
There could be a lot of reasons for this. It could be bad habits, shattered dreams, missed opportunities during quarantine, or simply things you can’t change. Whatever it is, remember you are not hopelessly stuck. There are things you can do to get unstuck.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, through His infinite Atonement, can give you strength to get unstuck. He can help you as you turn to Him. The Savior can show you the best way to move forward.
In addition, keep in mind that feeling stuck often means that something isn’t working for you and it’s time to make a change. It doesn’t have to be a huge change. Small changes can make a big difference. Consider writing down things you could change, then pick one and start working on it as soon as possible.
Going Forward with a “New Normal”
The best advice for dealing with a pandemic or any challenge comes from the prophet. President Russell M. Nelson has said:
“Today we often hear about ‘a new normal.’ If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let that be your new normal.
“Embrace your new normal by repenting daily. Seek to be increasingly pure in thought, word, and deed. Minister to others. Keep an eternal perspective. Magnify your callings. And whatever your challenges, … live each day so that you are more prepared to meet your Maker.” 3
How can you go wrong when you follow the prophet’s teachings? Keep moving forward with faith in Jesus Christ even if you can’t see the results of your efforts. Your best is yet to come!
Who Can You Help?
As you go through a pandemic, or any tough situation, you should look to others for help. But, remember that you can be the source of strength for others too!
There could be someone new in your branch or ward or school who needs you to reach out to them. Wherever you go, there will be somebody who can benefit from your light and testimony. Your talents and personality can be a blessing to those around you, so prayerfully seek those opportunities to serve. As you do, you may find that your challenges seem easier to bear.
God has given you an abundance of spiritual gifts, even if you can’t quite recognize them yet. One of the best ways to strengthen those gifts is to use them and let your light shine (see Matthew 5:16).
So shine on!