The Pandemic Reduced My FOMO and Helped My Mental Health

The pandemic has turned out to be a time where millions are finding themselves amidst uncertainty. Luckily, I am one of the people who has thrived during these troublesome times.

Before the Pandemic, I had FOMO about all the things I was missing out on — concerts, parties, traveling, etc. If something was posted on a Snapchat story and I wasn't there, I’d instantly feel left out. It’s tough living like that.

You want to live life to the fullest, but you can’t be everywhere at once.

Then, BAM. Pandemic. Everything starts closing down, social distancing is advised, and work is from home now. February is when things started to change for me, and I’m sure they have for millions out there for better and worse.

Things You Can Pursue During The Pandemic

If you feel completely lost with things you are passionate about, then here are a few things you can try out and see if you love them and can make money doing.

1. Write your first blog post, and see where it takes you.

2. Try investing money in the stock market and experiment if you can make money from doing it.

3. Start your first Twitch live stream and see if you’re passionate about it.

4. Call your best friends and discuss that business you always talked about.

5. Record your first YouTube video you’ve wanted to make since you were a kid so that you know how it is.

6. Research and read everything you can about whatever it is you’re passionate about.

7. Order a piano, guitar, or any instrument you’ve wanted to learn for a long time and practice and post videos on Tik Tok.

8. Practice photography outdoors and see what inspires you — everyone has a different perspective on aesthetics.

9. Order a launchpad for DJ’ing so that you can produce a song that you’ve been putting off for years.

10. Please sit down and completely reflect on everything that makes you happy, pick one thing, and go all-in on it until you no longer get any fulfillment.

There Are Fewer Distractions in a Pandemic

In a Pandemic, concerts, festivals, movie theaters, gatherings, and so much more are off-limits. This was tough to understand as someone coming home from a deployment overseas.

I haven’t lived a “normal life” ever since August 2019, yet I feel fine mentally.

When everything you used to do is put on hold, you’re forced to look within yourself to find what makes you happy. I had a bad habit of depending on experiences, and other people make me happy.

Work From Home

Spending time working from home with my girlfriend has been an incredible experience I could have never expected but grown to love doing.

Instead of forcing experiences outside of the home, I’m able to look within, seek inspiration, and get to truly know myself, and be comfortable spending time by myself.

Passions and Hobbies with Work From Home

The two biggest passions and hobbies of mine right now are trading stocks and writing. With work from home status, I can work from the comfort of my own home and pursue everything I want.

It’s an empowering feeling to get stuff done, all while making a living and feeling that sense of fulfillment.

With more time on my hands at home, I’m able to focus on learning as much as I can about day-trading and how to be a better writer.

It’s been a game-changer to be able to focus on everything I’ve always wanted while earning an income. If you’re in a position to get to work from home, do not take this opportunity for granted.

There’s so much potential to grow as a person and save money doing it.

All of My Friends Who Went to College

As someone who withdrew from going to college my sophomore year, I put a lot of pressure on myself to earn money and do work I’m passionate about.

After all the time on my deployment and during the Pandemic, I can happily say that blessings come your way if you put in the work and focus on your goals.

Unfortunately, friends who went to college didn’t get graduation, which I empathize with them for. I always felt jealous or envious when I saw graduation posts because I felt like I wasn’t doing something right.

You must bet on yourself that you’ll get things done regardless if you go to school or not. Everything doesn't have to happen traditionally.

I’m happy to say that I am debt free and doing work I enjoy and have the most amazing family and girlfriend in the world. Things feel alright even though we’re in a Pandemic — that’s crazy.

You Keep Yourself Safe by Staying Indoors

Before the pandemic, people who didn’t like going out and exerting energy doing things were put down for staying home too much.

They’re now looked at as regular people staying safe and keeping their distance until there’s a vaccine for COVID-19.

By staying home and doing whatever your passion is with all of the extra time you have, you are bettering yourself and looking within rather than seeking happiness that isn’t within you.

On my social media, everyone is used to seeing me out to filming and recording vlog footage and posting weekly photo content on Instagram.

Ever since we got into a Pandemic, people have wondered what I’ve been up to, and I told them I’m trading stocks, writing, and marketing for a living now.

The New Normal

Life is different, but that’s what comes with adapting to the “new normal.” Everything’s different, but the Pandemic makes us stronger as people because we’re put into a tough situation similar to my army deployment.

Being able to adapt and overcome new challenges puts us out of our comfort zones. Without discomfort, we don’t grow.

But right now, we’re all growing.

We’re taking it one day at a time, and being optimistic about daily life can be fully restored.

Final Thoughts

It’s so easy to feel like your self-worth is going to deteriorate during a Pandemic.

But that’s not the case, some people have found their hobbies and passions and pursued them, and it’s been a time for growth.

If all else fails and you don’t know what to do, pick a random thing you love and see if there’s a way for it to earn you money.

There’s so much possibility out in the world, and if you look at this Pandemic as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience, you’ll unlock your full potential.