Finding Peace in the Pause: How COVID-19 Became A Turning Point For Me

When the world shut down in 2020, many people were thrown into a whirlwind of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. Understandably so… everything felt unknown, unstable, and out of our control. But for me, something completely unexpected happened.

Instead of spiraling into panic, I found peace.

In the stillness, I found myself.

While the world was holding its breath, I was learning how to breathe again.

The Unexpected Gift of Slowing Down

Before COVID hit, life was fast. Too fast. I was constantly chasing time, rushing from one task to another, barely pausing to catch my breath. Like many people, I had become caught up in the cycle of doing rather than being.

Then everything stopped.

No more commuting. No endless social obligations. No pressure to perform or be “on” all the time.

And in that space, where the noise quietened, I discovered a new kind of freedom. I had time. I had choice. I had space to reflect.

For the first time in years, I could hear my own thoughts clearly… and I realised I actually liked the quiet.

Choosing Peace Over Panic

What surprised me most during those months was how much power I had over my own emotional state. The world was full of fear, yet I felt calm. I began to understand that peace doesn’t come from your environment, it comes from within.

Each day, I made a conscious decision: How do I want to feel today?

And I chose joy.
I chose stillness.
I chose gratitude.

I spent time outside in the garden, noticed the changing of seasons, cooked slow meals, read more, exercised more, learnt how to line dance and I breathed deeper. I connected with myself in a way I hadn’t in years.

It was in this quiet chapter of my life that I realised just how much I had been missing by always rushing forward.

What It Taught Me About Myself

COVID-19 taught me something invaluable: you don’t need everything around you to be perfect in order to feel peace inside.

It showed me that I could thrive in simplicity.
That I didn’t need constant activity to feel fulfilled.
That presence was more powerful than productivity.

I rediscovered parts of myself I’d forgotten… creative parts, curious parts, restful parts. And I made a promise to myself that when life resumed, I wouldn’t go back to who I was before.  But like normal, we do, I did and over the last 2 years I have learnt how much I valued that time during COVID-19 and so I chose to never go back to the panic.

What This Means for Me Now

Even though life has returned to its usual pace in many ways, I’m different now. I live slower, more intentionally. I protect my peace the way I once protected my schedule.

I’ve learned to say no.
To honour rest.
To choose joy even when things feel uncertain.

COVID gave me the greatest lesson of all: that I always have a choice in how I show up… whether that be for myself, for others, and for the life I want to live.

Your Turn: Reclaiming Peace in the Everyday

If you’re reading this and longing for that same sense of peace, know that it’s not something reserved for rare moments or global pauses. It’s something you can create, right here, right now.

Start small.
Slow down.
Notice what brings you calm.
Reclaim time.
Reclaim yourself.

Because even when the world feels chaotic, you are allowed to feel grounded. And you are allowed to choose peace, every single day.