TO LIVE IN A NEW NORMAL

The idea of the "new normal" has been introduced to many of us. We all thought that the year 2020
would help us make up for the previous one, but we were all mistaken—at least temporarily. Though
they are uncertain, experts warn it may be years before we can resume our regular activities without
masks and hand sanitizer nearby. We were all set on our own cliff by COVID-19. Not only physically, but
also emotionally, we went through a lot. We were forced to cease doing things we were used to because
of the circumstances, which has hurt our mental health, which is important to all of us.

I am aware that being in quarantine caused us to question our abilities and increased the distance
between us and the energy or coping mechanisms we had outside of our homes. Similar to how the
webinar questions about what we lose, what we gain, what we learn to give up, and what we hope to
gain from the experience. Because I eventually began to live independently and isolate myself from
others, I start losing my motivation and confidence as the pandemic lasts longer, I become more anxious
about how can I can still interact with others. But I have also grown to know myself better, picked up
some new interests, and can now state that I am more responsible and know how to maintain my
strength. Lastly, I wanted to learn from this experience how to communicate with my parents and
friends so that they wouldn't frequently misunderstand me.

Because we can't predict when or where we will pass away, this pandemic made me realize how
important it is to appreciate the presence of others. Even though I don't like to make a big deal out of
things, I am grateful for everything my parents and friends did for me when I decided to cut myself off
from them. As time went on, I developed independence while remaining reliant on the things that bring
me joy. Although you may feel like your worst self at this moment, the doctor was right; it is actually
your strongest self. To sum it all up, the pandemic taught me to cherish myself, that communicating and
crying are not signs of weakness.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Our daily lives now include stress. No one, no matter how extreme or how moderate, is immune to this.
If people ignore this, the situation will only get worse. While under stress, be aware of, comprehend,
and recognize your feelings. You can better control your emotions if you are aware, which will prevent
you from reaching outrage. Although sadness, fear, and rage are normal feelings, how you handle them
will determine how stable you are when looking for a solution. This will rely on how well you can
regulate your emotions.

The webinar covered and taught me several things about emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to
recognize, make use of, comprehend, manage, and handle emotions. Even though stress is frequently
seen as negative, it can also have beneficial effects. As it may be a source of energy, ambition, and
excitement, the appropriate amount of stress can motivate us to perform better at work. However,
excessive stress can have a negative impact on your relationships, relationships with others, and your
general well-being. Understanding and recognizing your own emotions can help you do the same for
those around you. You are capable of feeling enough pity for others who are just like you. It helps me
recognize that individuals are terrible to themselves, which is why they are terrible to others. Self-
awareness can also help you better understand how you typically respond to a certain circumstance and
keep your emotions from taking over or upsetting you.

People frequently neglect their ability to ask for assistance, especially when they feel as though they are
in a tight spot. You'd be amazed at how many individuals are actually prepared to provide a helping
hand if you go and ask a colleague for help if you feel your burden is too heavy or if you're short on time.
We frequently believe that asking for assistance will be interpreted as a sign of incapacity or weakness.
However, in reality, we are also quite ready to help others.
FULLY FUNCTIONING

When people are treated with honesty, unconditional love, and correct sympathetic
understanding, they have the chance to "grow" and develop. Without being told what to do,
counseled, convinced, or given advice on how to act, persons may flourish in such a supportive
atmosphere and learn to become themselves. 

According to the webinar, there are three attributes you need to possess to be able to perform to
your maximum potential. You need to be aware of your own abilities, but more than that, you
need to put them to use. Otherwise, how would you handle life's everyday stresses if you just lay
around doing nothing? Commuting has been used as an illustration. It was stated that although
commuting is challenging, you must have faith in your ability to succeed. In a similar way to
how you must persevere through difficult tasks in order to complete them, you eventually start to
feel that you can conquer any challenge. And last, to interact with others effectively. If you relate
to people, you'll be in excellent relationships with everyone and occasionally be able to perform
at full capacity.

Even a person who is totally functional has some imperfections. Instead, the fully functioning
individual is changed by their numerous life experiences in subtle but significant ways toward
personal progress. The person's development is not self-contained; instead, it covers a wide range
of topics, sometimes even more narrowly, such as their growth in the areas of intellect, physique,
society, emotion, and religion.
SELF COMPASSION

We all struggle with issues we can't express to other people. Similar to an iceberg, of which just the top
portion—our successes and accomplishments—can be seen, we also have a sizable portion underneath
it, which comprises the imperfections we are unwilling to bring out with us. One of the most common
human experiences is probably struggling alone. But it's essential to understand that in those situations,
self-compassion is what we most needed.

The capacity to direct awareness, acceptance, and love inside is known as self-compassion. Many people
can be compassionate toward others but struggle to be compassionate toward themselves. While some
people could view showing compassion for oneself as an act of self-indulgence, it is not an indication of
selfishness, self-pity, or self-indulgence. In fact, self-compassion can aid in the reduction of many mental
health issues including worry or insecurity. Many mental health practitioners assist clients in cultivating
self-compassion. Self-compassion is sometimes confused with or connected to self-esteem, although the
two are not the same: Self-compassion is a sort of self-acceptance, especially in the face of failure,
whereas self-esteem emphasizes a positive self-evaluation, particularly for accomplishments. This
feeling implies a change from striving to be the greatest to be content with just being oneself. A person
who performs well on tests of self-compassion may accept failures without retaliation or justification
and understand that everyone, including oneself, is worthy of love and acceptance. On the other side,
having a strong sense of self-worth could make you more likely to try to hide or dismiss your
imperfections.

We tend to isolate ourselves when we are having troubles or difficulties because we believe we are the
only ones who are suffering the most. You should put in your mind that we are all in pain. So comfort
yourself. It would be good to embrace someone, but if no one is around, comfort alone by yourself.
MEANING IN LIFE

Having a meaningful life is essential as well since the effort put into making sense enables you to
connect with your higher purpose. The more active you are in living a meaningful life, the happier and
more fulfilling it makes you feel. This is completely different from a happy existence that is fleeting,
present, and unreal.

It's never too late to discover your life's purpose. It was never said that you could only understand the
purpose of life once you turned 18. The webinar taught me that since we only have one life to live and
there is no take-two in living one, I should make the most of it. Despite this, we should still put in a lot of
effort to be successful and discover what our true purpose is. The only thing that is constant in this
world is change, therefore the least we can do for ourselves is to change and improve. As the doctor
mentioned, we are pushed to improve ourselves when we are unable to fight a situation. Therefore, if
you feel that you are not on the right path, don't wait for it to change on its own. Do it on your own, and
from that point on, your genuine purpose in life will develop and grow in line with what you really want.

Additionally, leading a meaningful life helps us connect to a greater sense of meaning and value, which
has a good impact on not just our own personal and spiritual development but also on society and
human civilization as a whole. So, a meaningful life is one that provides a sense of smart activity and a
sense of forward motion.
COPING WITHOUT BURNOUT

Burnout is a serious issue for the person who is experiencing it, as well as for his or her family and job
performance. Thus, it is crucial to lessen burnout symptoms or stop someone from becoming burnt out.
The majority of burnout sufferers deal with heavy workloads, little job control, lengthy workdays, and
work-family conflicts, which makes it challenging for them to seek out professional support from a
therapist or counselor.

I used to manage burnout by going outside, drinking, and having a good time with my friends so that I
could forget all of my difficulties and avoid my task. But no longer do such activities help me deal with
my burnout since, as the doctor said, burnout requires rest because, even when I'm hanging out with my
friends, I still think about my work. With such pressure on our shoulders, how can we relax and enjoy
ourselves? The webinar taught me that creating schedules or planning materials will help you keep track
of your progress, allowing you to avoid delaying, which adds a lot of stress when you have a heavy
workload. Furthermore, because we are all unique, avoid comparing yourself to others and prevent
pushing yourself too much. If you can't complete it in a single day, as long as you can turn it in on time,
it's okay. Then, you can either overcome or learn to cope with burnout.

It is most efficient to deal with burnout one step at a time. Setting healthy boundaries, being open and
honest with others at work and at home, valuing one's own needs and wants, and being able to see the
bigger picture are all signs of someone who is successfully managing burnout.