Stories of Transitions During the Pandemic
By: Laura R., Embiria Contributor
This past year has been a whirlwind for all of us. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been living in a time with little instruction, lots of adaptability, and new moments of reflection and decision making. There’s no doubt that the pandemic has posed numerous challenges and uncertainty in our external and internal worlds, but unprecedented times often lead to big change which can also be beautiful and exciting. We wanted to hear from people that have had or made a big change in their life during the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue their version of living beautifully.
This is a collection of their stories!
Shannan & her family in front of their new house in Hawai'i.
Name: Shannan Scott
Social: shannanscott
Share one word that describes your big change: Uprooted
Tell us about your big change during the pandemic & how it makes you feel?
In June 2020, my husband was officially laid off from his job due to COVID-19. After a few trying months of unsuccessful interviews, we packed up our life in LA and headed home to Toronto to stay temporarily —a safe and supportive place to land and reimagine our next right step. I spent the majority of our mandatory 14-day quarantine untangling the slew of emotions I was feeling, learning that both grief and joy can be experienced side by side, if not simultaneously. To our total surprise, two weeks later my husband was asked to return to his old job and position in Kona, Hawai'i, a place we resided prior to LA. We packed up yet again, and found ourselves on the next flight out, drifting across the pacific ocean and back to island living. We never expected to return but are so grateful for the familiarity, the forever friendships, and for a place that feels like home.
How does this change align with your version of living beautifully?
My version of living beautifully is all about finding joy in the simple things, slowing down enough to savour the small moments, and living less out of habit and more out of intent. This change absolutely aligns as Hawai'i has always had a way of helping me honour and embody my personal values.
Name: Amira de Vera
Social: amiradevera
Share one word that describes your big change: Earth-shattering
Tell us about your big change during the pandemic & how it makes you feel?
During the pandemic, I unfortunately experienced two relationship breakups. While both incredibly painful in their own unique ways, they were both beautiful lessons that led me back to myself. I chose and continue to choose these events as chapters in my life that have empowered me and changed the way I saw myself. I no longer accepted anything less than I deserved and I continue to focus on putting me first.
How does this change align with your version of living beautifully? Living beautifully to me has always meant putting yourself first and making sure that you put all the love back to you. When the breakups happened, it really forced me to go back to that space of loving myself and doing things to make my soul happy. I continue to live beautifully by living for myself and making sure that I am getting all the love I deserve.
Name: Sameen Ahmed
Social: essence_by_s
Share one word that describes your big change: Refreshing
Tell us about your big change during the pandemic & how it makes you feel? Changing careers in the middle of a pandemic was incredibly stressful at first! The idea of switching roles from a Healthcare Project Manager to a Creative Motion Designer felt impossible. Where do you even begin? How do you manage finances? How do you navigate all of this in the midst of a global pandemic? So many questions were buzzing around my head, but ultimately I knew the change was necessary. The pandemic truly made me recognize how unhappy I was at my job, and the more I reflected on this, the more it opened up my eyes to the opportunity of doing something I actually love! I finally realized I didn't need to run from something but run towards something. Although the first hurdle of uncertainty was tough, the more I leaned into the thought of following my passion, the more the pieces started to naturally come together - it was then I realized that I was actually on the right path.
How does this change align with your version of living beautifully? In the past, I don't think I actually knew the meaning of living beautifully - I lived life to get by. When you are actually doing something you are passionate about, your perspective completely changes - you are finally present in acknowledging the beautiful moments that pass you by. You start being more mindful in making decisions that align to the life you want to live - the life you want to create - the life you want to live beautifully in. Now when I look back, I understand that living beautifully doesn't always mean smooth sailing, it comes with struggles, uncertainty and sometimes lots of stress, but without these moments, I wouldn't understand or appreciate how beautiful life truly is - and I'm very thankful for that!
Name: Emily Anderson
Social: gatherfoodtruck
Share one word that describes your big change: Create
Tell us about your big change during the pandemic & how it makes you feel? My partner and I decided to move to my home city of Ottawa one week before the March 2020 lockdown, so this year has been full of change, uncertainty, and new beginnings. As a result of the pandemic, I was laid off not long after this move, leaving me with an unclear picture of what was on the horizon. Amidst the ups and downs, I took advantage of this slow time – enjoying the access to nature, reading more than ever, creating daily through cooking and art, and integrating back into my hometown. It was through this respite that I was able to explore and eventually start building my own business – Gather Café + Kitchen.
How does this change align with your version of living beautifully? To me, living beautifully means being connected to nature, my community, my emotions, my creativity – and I feel so fortunate that through the low and slow times of this past year, I have been able to create a beautiful new chapter with my plant-based business, Gather Café + Kitchen. Time to rest and heal has made room for new creative purpose. Being able to experience the Canadian seasons with a renewed appreciation gave me inspiration for my new venture. I feel connected to my creativity and strength in new ways, but also more vulnerable than ever, as I embrace the uncertainties and feel through the seasons ahead.
We hope everyone can live beautifully in their own way during these unforeseen times - accepting things we cannot control, owning the things we can, tuning into our passions and spreading love all around.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on transitions in the comments below.