Covid lockdowns lead to slower pace of life, changing priorities in 2022

If the Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 taught Australians anything, it was the need to shift our priorities and accept a slower pace of life. We speak to people who are learning to adjust to the “new normal”.

“Sometimes the best adventures can be waiting for you in your own backyard.”

It is this realisation that could spur Sydney’s Musson family to travel around Australia in 2022.

When Covid hit, the family of five had been planning a seven-month overseas adventure while the children were still young enough not to be impacted by missing too much school.

Instead, Olivar and Catherine spent almost four months homeschooling Luella, 5, Xavier, 7, and Chloe, 9.

Covid has made them rethink future plans to stay closer to home. And they have already made big changes.

“We pivoted. Flights were booked for seven months in Europe and America but we made other dreams come true,” Catherine Musson says.

Olivar and Catherine Musson and their children (from left) Chloe, Xavier and Lulu missed out on an overseas holiday due to Covid. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Olivar has dreamt of owning a boat and we took the plunge in April this year and purchased a share. It has been such an incredible experience, to be able to escape reality for a day or two, be on Sydney Harbour and explore little coves and beaches with our family.

“There are still plans to travel but perhaps a trip around Australia is on the cards. Another lockdown lesson – you don’t always have to travel a million miles for an adventure.”

The family owns Musson Jewellers and they report clients are increasingly invested in making important milestones more memorable.

“Life always goes on and we are very blessed to be a part of this,” Musson says.

“We had clients reach out to us during lockdown for these occasions, and there was a sense of ‘let’s make it even more special this time’.

“We often start with an engagement moment, then we experience the anniversaries, births of their children and milestone celebrations.”

Musson says 2021 put the family’s priorities into perspective.

“If there is something you have dreamt of, do it. Life is too short not to.

“This experience shows us that nothing is more important than family and friends. Bring on the family barbecues, the Sunday swims and long lunches with friends.

“I feel like we are really appreciating the little things … going to a movie, getting on a plane, seeing family stuck in Adelaide.

“We will have Christmas at our house, and I am hoping for my whole family around the same table, Christmas lights twinkling and music playing.

“I cannot wait.”

The Musson family shifted their priorities closer to home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Looking ahead Musson’s driving emotion is hope.

“Lockdown has proven that life cannot stay the same, change is inevitable, whether we like it or not.

“But this isn’t to be feared, it is actually an incredible opportunity to slow down, to check in on what really matters and what doesn’t, and look to what can we do better.”

Best of both worlds

Next year will see the widespread adoption of a hybrid working style, in which many Australians mix work from home with going to the office. And with that better balance, travel will be first on the wish list for many, says social researcher Ashley Fell.

“In many ways, the old arguments of people not being productive have been proven wrong over the past 24 months. People have continued to deliver outputs at a greater level and in a greater time of change than ever before,” says McCrindle Research’s director of advisory.

“Work in 2022 for many will be about utilising the work environment so that people are engaged and productive – whether that environment is in one’s home or in the workplace.”

Social researcher Ashley Fell says we are adjusting to the hybrid working style brought on by Covid.

The extended lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 helped many realise that a slower pace of life and return to a simpler life is desirable.

“Pre-Covid, many people had full calendars but there is a difference between a full calendar and an impactful calendar,” she says.

“And by extension, there is a difference between a full life and a meaningful life. Surely, we would all choose the meaningful life and not just the full one.

“The opportunity to stop for an extended period has been transformational and provided an opportunity to be intentional about commitments and time management moving forward.”

Quality time

Construction worker Ryan Cooke, 25, left the family property in Cooma six years ago to go to university in Sydney and kickstart his career in the big smoke, as so many country kids do.

But work from home orders during this year’s lockdown allowed him to return to the family nest for several months – an experience he says changed him and offered a significant reminder of what’s important in life.

So much so, he has taken a period of leave from work for the start of 2022, to spend time with his dad, Ian, who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer last year.

“Growing up in a country town, a lot of people make the move to a city when they go to university and then try to find a job – it’s the natural progression, so I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with my parents,” he says.

Construction worker Ryan Cooke (right) took leave from work for the beginning on 2022 to spend more time with his dad.

“My sister moved back home during lockdown too, as did a lot of my circle of friends from rural towns because everyone was working from home and there was no reason to stay in Sydney living in a share house or a rental, when you could move back in with your parents.

“That time with my family made me realise how lucky I am to have a great relationship with them, and made me think more seriously about spending time one-on-one with Dad for a few months.”

Cooke’s parents bought a farm in Byron Bay last November and his father will undertake a bush regeneration project, something he has always been passionate about.

“Dad has always really pushed my career, and me moving to Sydney to do that. He was pretty instrumental in me making those sort of big life decisions,” Cooke says.

“But now he’s happy about the idea of me being up there with him and spending more time with him.

“It’s exciting for both of us – it will be a big change from being on a construction site and I am looking forward to spending that time with him and just not so much time looking at a computer screen.”

The importance of time with family is something Cooke will take with him into the new year and beyond.

“I definitely don’t want to look back and say ‘why didn’t I do that when Dad’s health was good and when I had the time to do it?’,” he says.

“A lot of people have regrets in their life, and I don’t want to.”

Year of purpose

Country mum Belle Moylan wants her life to be more purposeful – a powerful side effect of Covid lockdowns.

Her husband Chris, a mechanic, and children Georgia, 6, and Jack, 4, have a good life in Mudgee. But during 2021 they missed family and friends. Next year will be the year they reconnect with their loved ones.

“My head spins each day with numerous ideas of what we could do and what the future holds,” Moylan says.

“It has made me realise that I want to do purposeful work, volunteer where I can, spend quality time with family and friends and go on more adventures.

“I think a Cape York or a Northern Territory trip back to where Georgia was born and to visit some besties will be on the cards. (It’s) something we have wanted to do for the past couple of years but haven’t due to the travel restrictions.”

Belle Moylan, her husband Chris and children Georgia and Jack with their dogs in Mudgee.

The 38-year-old teacher also runs country retreat Wilpine, an unreliable source of income in times of restricted travel. The family kept busy by going on lots of bush walks, yabbying, gardening and climbing trees.

“Then there was the motorbike riding, playing with the animals, baking, art and craft, building cubbies, fixing fences and swimming so we definitely can’t complain – and it’s been great to spend quality time with the kids,” she says.

“Lockdown made us appreciate what we have, but running an accommodation property during this time is interesting to say the least. But when it’s good, it’s bloody great – so we try to focus on that.

“But I’ll be heading on a girls’ trip with some school friends, planning a beach holiday and locking in some dates for some of our friends and family to come out here to visit and make sure we go and visit them, too.

“We also have a couple of weddings coming up which we are looking forward to, and will be heading to Sydney and Queensland to see family and friends.

“Lockdown had its days, but we felt so lucky to be living where we are during these very challenging and unpredictable times.

“It really has put things into perspective when we think about other people and how hard it is for them.”

Being a happy parent

Single mum Louise Magnifico describes Sydney’s recent lockdown as “brutal”.

“I was juggling work and my son, seven-year-old Max, with no relief,” the 46-year-old says.

“Both Max and I were quite unhappy until I reached a tipping point and sought a children’s psychologist.

“I also received carer’s leave from my work for the last school holidays, so I feel like a completely different person now as I had time to be with Max.

“My mum friends in my 5km radius were my saviours and we all met up at the beach and parks to support one another. I grew such gratitude for these amazing women who all checked in with me.”

Louise Magnifico said lockdown with her son Max, 7, has changed her perspective on life.

Magnifico says the silver lining was that she and Max grew closer by relying on each other, and got better at communicating. Family feels more important now, she says, and things are looking up.

“I value my time with my son – work isn’t the most important thing and my community of mum friends are big blessings,” she says.

“My fitness is up, I’ve scaled back on alcohol and I now appreciate travel and my family and friends so much more.

“Life is short and the simple things are the most important parts – love, happiness, friends, family and being a good, happy parent.”

Fulfilment through travel is on the cards, and priorities shifting into 2022 and beyond.

“I’ll be saving more, less dinners and blowing money on booze,” Magnifico says.

“I want to travel more than ever, Europe is on my mind and I want to balance my life more – placing my son and my happiness at the forefront of everything I do.

“Love and happiness – that’s what it’s all about for me now.”

Keeping life in the slow lane

While the pandemic forced us to live in ways we never dared imagine and there have been many benefits, keeping them is a whole other challenge, says Sydney psychotherapist Lissy Abrahams.

“Your life and the years will go by whether you’re living the life you want or not,” Abrahams (inset) says.

“You may as well sculpt yours with your own desires and wishes, instead of just having the default life you’ll get if you don’t.

“Ask yourself: What has Covid taught me about the way I was living my life before the pandemic hit?

“For some people it’s having family games night, or the ability to go for a walk or exercise every day. For others, it’s spending more time with one’s partner, or cooking new meals, or bingeing on Netflix guilt-free or working from home.

“Assess, do I want to hold onto the lessons or let them go?”

Sydney psychotherapist Lissy Abrahams said the pandemic forced us to live in ways we never imagined.

She says if you don’t make the conscious decision to incorporate those things into your life, a hectic life and responsibilities will decide for you, but there are simple ways to make sure that doesn’t happen.

● Blocking out time in your calendar in advance. Commit to these and make them your non-negotiables. If other people’s agenda or activities try to push them out, just remember why these were important to you in the first place.

● Reflect and then make some big changes. Note what makes you anxious or flat with the restrictions lifted. Many people re-evaluated their long work hours and careers during the pandemic. Seek out or ask for less hours of work, working with more flexible conditions or hours, working in a less demanding role, or changing careers altogether. Seriously consider what type of life you most value and point your compass in that direction.

● Covid paused all co-curricular activities for children. Now is the time to ask yourself how many activities do they really need? Would they be better off having a family activity, playing in the park with a friend or spending time alone with a parent? If you enjoyed and want a quieter life with more downtime, you’ll need to manage your FOMO. Don’t let this fear dictate how you want to truly live your life.

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