At times like this it is difficult to remain positive. People are losing jobs or at risk of losing jobs. We can’t visit friends and family. We can’t travel. Financial markets have fallen. We can’t gather in groups or socialize. We are stuck in our homes. The threat of the virus is scary.
So today I’d like to discuss some of the benefits of the current lockdown situation. Please don’t take this as dismissing the magnitude of the coronavirus. I am fully aware it is destroying people’s lives. I am just trying to remain positive, and help others do the same. So no hate mail please or you can email my complaints department: ncarr@yourmoneyblueprint.co.nz
Positives of a lockdown
1/. Less takeaways
Restaurants are closed so that means people should be eating healthier at home. My wife has been doing a lot of baking and judging by the lack of flour at supermarkets, many others are doing the same. My daughter is loving helping out making muffins.
We are also using everything that is in our pantry and fridge. Typically we have certain foods that always get pushed to the back and never used. Now we are not willing to go to the Supermarket very often, we are using these neglected foods which will mean less wastage.
2/. Less spending
With most shops closed, people should be spending much less. On top of this many of us are not working so we aren’t buying lots of lunches and coffees whilst at work. Long may consumerism be reduced.
3/. More time with family
I’ve spent more time with the family in the last couple of weeks than I have in the last couple of months. Often, I will leave for work with my two year old daughter still in bed and arrive home only an hour or two before her bed time, meaning very limited weekday interaction. Well that has been flipped on its head and now I get to spend all day with family. This has been a huge benefit for me watching her grow by the day. I’m sure she is loving it too.
4/. A great time to catch up over the phone or video with friends and family
Often we get really busy and don’t make time for catch ups. Now we have no excuse. It’s been great to build on relationships that may have lagged over the months/years.
5/. People are now washing their hands!
I can’t believe I have had to type that but based on my own observations (in a non creepy way) of male bathrooms, I think at least 3-4 out of 10 males don’t wash their hands after going toilet. This is downright disgusting. If this situation improves this then that has to be a good thing.
6/. People are prioritising what is really important to them
With a health crisis, many people often reassess things and start thinking about what is really important. Most of us always come back to the same answers of health, family, and happiness, food, shelter, and financial security. It’s never a bad thing to be reminded of this.
7/. More time on our hands to be productive with outside of work things
Many of us not working now have plenty of time on our hands to use productively. I’ve been doing 100 push ups and 100 squats per day. I also have my outdoor gym I made last year that has pull up bars and tricep dips. I also have a homemade box jump. Just because I can’t go to the gym, doesn’t mean that is a free pass. My daughter is getting bigger each week so that is also a good progressive weight.
With this extra time I can get even fitter. I’ve also been working on my flexibility more than I usually have time for. This will have great benefits for my health.
I’ve also been able to spend more time reading and writing, and doing some neglected maintenance around the house.
This is also a good chance to catch up on any finances that have been neglected. A will. Insurances. Budgeting and so on.
Don’t shame me for being productive. There have been a lot of articles recently from people not happy with the amount of people being productive during these times. It’s OK to do nothing. I am just writing what I am doing and what helps me. You don’t have to do any of that, nor feel guilty for not doing anything.
8/. The community is coming together
We have offered our help to the elderly in our community where we go to the supermarket for them. I know other communities are doing the same. It is very heartwarming to see all the kindness of strangers, amongst all the bad news.
9/. Less cars on the road means the air is getting cleaner
Makes for a nice change. Good to see lots of people walking more now too, of course while keeping their distance.
10/. I’ve been able to give myself that mohawk and moustache look I always wanted
Just need to remember to make the change before returning to work (if I still have a job).
I’m not going to lie. There are some trying moments when locked inside all day. Our house is less than 90 square metres which is very small by today’s standards. But if you can continue to find positives and can keep busy then you will get through this. My days are filled with child care, some writing, home maintenance, financial advise work, exercise, and a bit of Netflix. If I was doing one of those things it would be extremely long and boring days. By having a wide variety of things to do, my days are flying by and it feels good getting things done. Yes, even the underfloor insulation was a pleasing job done.
Many people are using this time to slow down, clean the garage, declutter, do some budget management. People now understand the importance of having an emergency fund. People are now more aware of their risk tolerance in the stock markets. Yes, bad things are happening all around us, but there is a lot of good happening too.
Slowing down offers many benefits as I wrote about here and here and I advise trying it out sometime when it is not forced upon us.
And a big thank you to all the essential workers continuing to operate during this time.
If you are an essential worker, or have recently lost your job or a large chunk of income, then I’d like to offer 3 free 1 hour phone calls to 3 people where we will have a chat and I can offer my financial perspectives to help you out. If you’d like to take up the offer then get in touch and I will accept the first 3 eligible emails.
The information contained on this site is the opinion of the individual author(s) based on their personal opinions, observation, research, and years of experience. The information offered by this website is general education only and is not meant to be taken as individualised financial advice, legal advice, tax advice, or any other kind of advice. You can read more of my disclaimer here