The past few years have forced people around the world to change their lives. From adjusting to remote work and having your children underfoot more often than usual to an excessive amount of time at home for the whole family. We saw fewer of our friends and experienced burnout, but we also found new ways to make the most of life. And fortunately, many of these changes are for the better. Marjorie McMillian explains that making these a part of your “forever normal” can be beneficial in the long term.
Start Your Own Business – Form an LLC
Many people have changed jobs in the recent past. If you aren’t satisfied with your work, follow suit. For example, maybe you want to be your own boss. Starting a limited liability company can get you there. An LLC offers tax advantages and great flexibility. LLC guidelines vary between states, so find out what your state specifically requires for LLC registration. Use a business formation service to get set up instead of paying a pricey lawyer.
Become a Regular Champion of Local Businesses
Another cultural shift was a greater desire to support local businesses. Decreased foot traffic had many businesses struggling to survive, so communities rallied around them. Going forward, consider continuing your support of local businesses. This can help keep more money in your local economy, support your community’s overall well-being, and support long-term environmental sustainability.
Transform Your Home into an Oasis of Calm
Odds are you spent more time at home during the pandemic than you had in the past. Now, make the most of your time at home by creating a cozy space where you can feel at ease. Julie Blanner provides a comprehensive guide to making your place more comfortable, such as adding throw rugs and pillows, incorporating natural materials like wood, and using warm color schemes. Adding small touches like flowers or aromatherapy candles is also helpful.
Clean with Safe Ingredients
Not all household cleaners are alike. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that many contain dangerous cancer-causing chemicals, like formaldehyde and phthalates. To avoid these chemicals, you can easily make your own products out of simple household ingredients including vinegar, baking soda, and even vodka. Or you can use this list to select products with safe ingredients on your next trip to the store.
Cook More Frequently at Home
While spending more time at home—and with many restaurants closed or limiting their service—you likely also had to cook more. This is a great habit to carry on. Home-cooked meals can be healthier, allowing you to precisely control the ingredients you use and portion sizes. Stick to simple recipes you can whip up quickly and that will keep cooking fun, not arduous. Delish has a great roundup of easy-to-make meals you can turn to.
Consider Making At-Home Workouts Your New Normal
Many gyms also closed or limited their operations, leaving more people to work out at home. This can also be a useful habit to continue in the future. Often, fitting in a home workout is faster and easier than going to a fitness center. This increases the odds that you’ll get your workout in at all! Self suggests looking for easy no-equipment workouts you can do at home, such as HIIT cardio challenges, yoga, and Pilates.
And don’t underestimate the value of walking in your neighborhood. Find a walkable area nearby and walk, jog, or run there regularly to get great cardio.
Take a Proactive Approach to Managing Your Mental Health
Physical and mental health alike came into the spotlight over the last few years. Commit to taking just as good care of your mind as you do your body. A good place to start is at home — make sure your home environment is a place that promotes positive energy. If you’re noticing frequent complaining, arguments, or bad vibes at home, look into changes that you can make, such as decluttering and cleaning.
Find and Implement Positive Changes
Positive steps include getting exercise, staying social, and reaching out for mental health support when needed. If you feel like you would benefit from professional help, reach out to counseling services. Individual, couples, or group therapy may benefit you greatly. Also think about little things you can do differently — simple acts like spending more time outdoors in nature are likewise shown to enhance general wellbeing. Aim to get outdoors every day, ideally in a green space like a park.
If you’re looking for hopeful and inspiring writing to keep your spirits up during these transitions, check out Brittany Stonestreet online!
Marjorie McMillian has been studying, practicing, and sharing the concept of whole health and wellness since “before it was cool.” She could not be happier with the strides the health and wellness community has made, including the increased popularity and broadening definition of self-care, the de-emphasis on weight loss and its relationship to overall physical health, and the long-awaited welcoming of spirituality in the world of wellness. While she doesn’t share medical advice on her website, comeongetwell.net, visitors will find reliable resources intended to help guide them on their journey to whole health.
Brittany Stonestreet 
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