Feeling a little less-than-inspired to go back to ‘normal’ life after lockdown? You’re definitely not alone. For many people, spending the last few months in quarantine gave them a wake-up call that the life they’re living isn’t the one they actually want for themselves. While that might seem intimidating for some, it should actually be exciting. Why? Because now we can decide what we want ‘normal life’ to look like — both on a societal level and as individuals — meaning we get to choose what happens next.

If you’re not sure what life after lockdown means for you, here’s how you can identify what you actually want out of life and start making it happen for yourself.

Ask yourself the hard questions

As a kid, you probably had a lot of people ask you what you wanted to do when you grow up. As an adult, however, we tend to stop asking ourselves those questions. Many of us fall into the trap of doing what the world wants or expects us to do, which means we’re living by someone else’s definition of success, happiness, and fulfilment instead of our own. 

Now is the time to start asking ourselves those questions again. What do you want out of your life? Are you doing the things you want to be doing with your time? Are you surrounding yourself with people who light you up? Are you happy and content to keep pursuing this path? 

Sure, you might not be able to immediately walk away from your job, bills, or responsibility, but being intentional about what you want out of your life is the first step in making it happen. You are the architect of your own life, so don’t be afraid to draw up new plans for exactly what you want to build. The ‘how’ will come later.

Find the intersection between talent and passion

When it comes to doing what you want to do, sometimes it’s easier to identify what we don’t want. If you’ve realized that you don’t want to work at a traditional 9-to-5 corporate office job anymore, it might be hard to find a replacement when that’s everything you’ve known for the past few years — especially when there are bills to pay.

Start by looking at what you’re good at (or willing to learn) and what you love doing. If you’re a writer who loves travel, a ‘normal’ desk job might suit your talents but not your passion for adventure —and that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. There are plenty of remote copywriting jobs that would allow you to work from anywhere in the world, or you can look into starting your own online business that creates the freedom you want without keeping you tied to a certain location. 

Get Committed

Remember, it’s not about making the leap from where you are to where you want to be overnight. This is a process, and that means you have to work for it. What can you do today, tomorrow, and next week to move you closer to your goal?

It could be enrolling for a course, perhaps. Suppose you’ve ever had a desire to do nursing, for example. In that case, you could try to join online accelerated second degree BSN programs that offer fast and credible learning curriculums, guaranteed to equip you with the basic field skills.

Benefits you’ll derive from enrolling in such programs will include:

Flexibility

You’ll have a much more flexible schedule, especially if you work and study simultaneously. Take advantage of the flexibility offered by the different payment modules while still meeting your most basic needs.

Lower Costs

Spend less on traveling to and from class by simply accessing lessons over the web

Comfortable Environment

Depending on your preference, you can attend class from anywhere you deem peaceful enough. This could be anywhere, including a coffee shop, library, or even at home.

Pacing Options

While regular students remain stuck in the routine timings, you get access to a fast track system that allows you to finish and acquire a certificate in the coming months.

If you’re good with computers, love solving problems, and want to work from anywhere in the world, maybe that means setting aside time every day to take an online course on how to code. While it can be tempting to stay in your comfort zone, you have to commit to doing the work. That means showing up even when you’d rather be watching Netflix, pushing yourself even when it’s hard, and saying ‘no’ to things that detract from your goals.

Find a mentor 

If you’re struggling to keep yourself motivated, don’t be afraid to look for inspiration. Find people who have done the things you want to do, and learn from them. Don’t just follow people on social media — although that’s a great starting point — find someone who can serve as a mentor so you can benefit from their experience and have someone to hold you accountable. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks to technology, there are countless resources available at your fingertips (literally), but it’s up to you to take advantage of them. Ask questions, get curious, and always keep learning. 

Get others to “buy in” to your dream

It can be tempting to keep quiet about your dreams, especially if you’re scared of judgement, but there’s so much power in building a community that will support and encourage you in whatever you want to pursue. Tell your friends, family, or even just your social media following about your dreams, and allow them to cheer you on. Dreams aren’t just meant for vision boards. They’re meant to be lived, but they require more than just wishful thinking to make them a reality.

Throw out the rulebook that says you have to do things a certain way, and start living the way you want to live. If you’re willing to do the work, there’s nothing that can stop you from making it happen.

Follow Sabrina Philipp on IG @sabrinamphilipp or at her website.