2022 is finally over and we are now greeted by 2023. The pandemic now feels like a distant dream, or perhaps nightmare. 3 years ago we would have been bracing ourselves for a national lockdown in the months to come. But here we are now, trying to take a moment to breathe again; to regain control. It is with this in mind that we, at Reality, wondered, how does one bounce back? Or maybe even, bounce forward? In fact, how does one even bounce at all after what we went through?
We decided that this year we were going to find the answer. Bring some BOUNCE back into our step. It is with this in mind that we decided the year 2023 was going to be the year of Bounce. And every month will be a different theme to help you bounce your way through the year.
Here are some thoughts on how to kick start your year with bounce:
1. Bounce back and find your groove again
For many of us, the opportunity to bounce back to the life we had before is very inviting. Bouncing back is about finding your mojo again. Getting that groove back. The pandemic, for some, was a reminder of the things you loved most; use this time to explore that even more. Go back to an old hobby that you stopped because you became “too busy”, take a trip to your old favourite spots to remind yourself of the love you had for those places. Re-ignite an old passion.
If you do this, you may find your love for it again or you may realise you don’t love it like you used to, either way, it is a good way to reset when you feel like you’re stuck. Sometimes going back helps you see new paths you had never seen before. So take a moment for yourself and allow yourself time to bounce back.
2. Bounce forward with grace
In 2022, it felt like we were picking up the pieces of the years lost to the pandemic, between the loss of family, loss of jobs, and even the loss of self, there were days it felt like we might never recover. However, we have moved through the stages of grief and are now moving into the phase of acceptance, and with acceptance is the opportunity to bounce forward.
Bouncing forward, will mean many things for many people, but what it really is, is looking at the losses as opportunities to learn. And so ask yourself, “What do I know now that I wish knew 3 years ago? How do I use this new found knowledge for my future?” Maybe you learnt that your health/mental health needs to be a priority, maybe you learnt how to make more time for family, or perhaps you learnt you had a strength within you to help you build a new life and take new opportunities. Fan the flame of resilience and use it to bounce forward.
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” – George S. Patton Jr
3. Find some bounce in your step
If there is one thing we have learnt from this entire ordeal, life is too short to not enjoy it. No more excuses to not do something you love or enjoy. Find what makes you happy or brings you joy, and leverage that in every way you can.
Have something boring to do at work? Try add something to the routine that you enjoy such as listening to music, pitch ideas for projects you want to work on, or do an activity during lunch to keep the mind busy. Stuck in the same routine at home? Spice it up by playing games with the kids, going on a date night to a new restaurant, or start a new hobby. As they say, “variety is the spice of life”, so take more opportunities to do things you enjoy, try new things, tick off those bucket list items, and find a new passion for life. The quick message here is: Do what you love. No excuses.
Look out for more communications and challenges this year that will help you have a year full of BOUNCE.