No country is safe
Many of us have chosen to live abroad for various reasons like better quality of life, cheaper life, new career opportunities, etc. However, there's one thing that we've all learned from the coronavirus pandemic: no country is safe! Indeed, the virus spread like wildfire across the world in no time, the US and EU being particularly affected. So think twice if you thought you were safe abroad or if you were planning to relocate once the pandemic subsides. To ensure the safety of everyone around you, take all the necessary precautions and avoid travelling if it's not necessary.
Time is precious
You must have been bored during the past few lockdown weeks – not being able to eat out or have a drink with your colleagues, no gym after work, etc. It's a hard thing to spend so much time alone at home. But do you remember the days when you were complaining about not having enough time to watch your favourite soaps or to take care of yourself? So value the free time you've been granted and take it as some "me time". Gone will be those days when you'll get back to your routine life.
Family is sacred
For those who have been working from home, having kids at home hasn't been easy. However, you should keep in mind that this unique opportunity might never come back, especially if you have a busy schedule. When was the last time you had dinner regularly with your family, watched a movie together and played board games? It's even harder when your family is miles away from you, in your home country, and you're not being able to support them in this time of global health crisis. With the current travel restrictions, you can't even go back home to reunite with your family. If you haven't told them yet how much they mean to you, make sure you do. Most of us have been connected nonstop to Whatsapp, Facebook, Messenger, Skype and Zoom these days. So when all this is over, keep in touch with your dear ones regularly, no matter how busy you might be.
A stressful experience for everyone
Regardless of our background, origins and financial situation, the lockdown has been a stressful experience for every one of us. Even though people are regularly posting photos of their meals on social networks and are talking about their new daily activities like online get-togethers, fitness classes, group online games and activities with children, we all have one thing in mind: keeping ourselves busy so that we don't get depressed. And even if you haven't been able to do any of this because you have been working from home, consider yourself lucky. Today, the jobs of many people are at risk while others have already been laid off.
We can live with little
As an expat, you probably have a bustling routine after your working hours and in weekends – going out for a drink with your friends, shopping in brand stores, dinners at restaurants, etc. If you regularly do your own cooking, you are probably used to buying imported products that you get in your home country. However, the lockdown has taught us another important lesson: to be content with what we have. In many countries for the past few weeks, people were only allowed to go out for grocery shopping. In this way, we have been sensitised about using whatever we have and avoid wasting. Today, many families around the world are struggling to cater for their needs, whether in terms of food or accommodation. The pandemic is likely to have a significant impact on the global economy and labour market, so you better start adopting new habits and save money.
