A To-Do List for the Last Days of Quarantine
Hitting the Reset Button
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic shut-down is an experience like no one alive has known.
The news cycle has become darkly fascinating, and too many wonderful people have passed away. The whole world is struggling against a profound anxiety as we search for ways to handle a “new normal” and move forward.
With all of that said, I have to admit: There’s a strangely beautiful side-effect to living through this moment.
In fact, if it wasn’t for the fear of death and economic collapse, I would personally say I’m starting to enjoy the quarantine life. I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work in the business I own from home. I’ve gotten more time with my wife and two kids.
And I think I’ve learned a few things about non-quarantine Jason, that way-too-busy guy I thought I knew so well just a few weeks ago.
There will be a day in the near future where the mass majority of us will get back out of the house and back to the office, airports, and the bustle of non-quarantine life.
This will all be over soon.
With that in mind, I’ve been asking myself:
- Will I have done what I was supposed to do?
- Will I have done what I could do?
- Will I have taken this moment for what it was—an opportunity?
The truth is, life itself will be over soon, and the same questions apply. First, I know what I don’t want to go back to:
- Hectic Chaos. The pace of life that is constantly trying to catch up with itself only to be pushed further behind by the next trip, the next show, or the next game. I don’t miss “busy.”
- Being disconnected from what matters. In all the busyness and business of life, it’s so easy to miss what matters most: Family, friends, and a focus on what God would have for our lives.
So I created this Quarantine To-Do List. When this is done, if I haven’t completed these things, I believe I will have missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
To-Do #1: Organize My Life
I don’t always keep things right where they need to be. I always tell myself, I’ll organize that later.
If I don’t get my garage, office, files, and basement organized (or at least headed in that direction), I will have missed it.
To-Do #2: Write
I have a story to tell and an encouraging word to bring people. I’ve wanted to write it down for years. Once again, I feel like it’s now or never.
To-Do #3: Connect with My Family
This is a big one. There are a lot of distractions, even now.
But my kids are learning from home and can’t rush off to their friends’ houses or their next activity. I don’t want to just endure this time with them. I want to enjoy it, and I want them to enjoy it, too.
This takes intentionality. To do it right, I will have to prioritize. I want to ensure things like game nights, reading-together time, and family meal prep all happen.
To-Do #4: Plan My Future
Now, I don’t know if you should always question everything each time difficulty hits, but this is a great time to do so. I’ve been dreaming about setting up online content channels for years. I wanted to make 2020 the year of doing and not just dreaming. This crisis has forced my hand.
What About You?
What are the things you don’t want to go back to when this crisis is over? What are things you know you need to accomplish to turn this crisis into an opportunity?
Let me encourage you. Take the time now to think through your list. Because, fortunately, this will all be over soon.
Also, unfortunately, this will all be over soon.
How will you use this time?