Considering a new start after the pandemic?

The coronavirus and COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways.

The past year has been a tough one and the vast majority of us have faced our own challenges along the way.

From loss of life to loss of jobs to loss of a sense of what we’re doing, the pandemic has wrought havoc and left many eagerly anticipating a vaccine and the turn of a new page where we can move forward and put things behind us.

With news of a vaccine on the horizon, many of us are deciding to plan our next moves with the hope that normality may soon return.

Some of us may well return to life as it was pre-pandemic. But many of us have had plenty enough thinking time through the duration of lockdowns, social isolation and social distancing to have come to the conclusion that we want to start afresh and try new things.

For now, let’s focus on a couple of new opportunities you might want to pursue and how to go about them.

A new home

The pandemic has seen many of us spend more time in our own homes than ever before.

Governments around the world have been putting all sorts of restrictions, measures and guidelines in place, encouraging us to stay home wherever possible in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

It’s not all too surprising, then, that some of us are very tired of the four walls we’ve been confined to for quite a while now.

If your home is not right for you and you don’t enjoy the house itself or the area, then it can really get you down. If you’re itching for a change, a new home could be a great idea for you.

Here are a few considerations to bring into play when deciding whether to move house or not.

Where do you want to move to?

First, let’s consider where you might want to move to.

You might want to move half an hour down the road, or you might want to move to the other side of the world!

Whichever location you’re considering, ask yourself a number of questions.

• Why do you want to move there? Is there something in particular calling you to this location? Is there a job you’re considering? Have you been before and fallen in love with the place? Are there great schools for the kids? Are there better life opportunities? Realistically, there needs to be some sort of reason that justifies the time, effort and cost of a big move. Your happiness and wellbeing needs to be at the centre of this. A house and location needs to be right for you.

• Do you want to be close to family? Big moves can be to move closer to family. But sometimes, they can take you away from family. Is this okay with you? Will you miss them? Do you need their support with childcare and other responsibilities. Consider whether you’ll be lonely and whether your children will miss anyone they’d rather be close to.

• Will there be language barriers? Are you ready to learn a new language? Are you ready to immerse your kids in a culture where they can’t understand others until they’ve picked up the language? If you’re set on a move to a country with a different language, you may want to invest in language lessons for your family and wait to move until you all have a good grip of the local language.

Visiting your chosen location

It’s important that you visit the place you’re planning on moving to before heading there.

Sure, you may think you’re in love with it. But if you haven’t been, chances are, your perception of the place may be romanticised or based on a very limited knowledge.

Spend some time in the location before committing to it. If you love it, great. But if not, it will save you a lot of time, money and effort to be aware of this before arranging a move, not to mention the stress the entire moving house process can cause.

A new career

The pandemic has had a profound impact on many people’s careers – unfortunately, for many, it has had a negative impact.

Companies have collapsed. People have been made redundant. Whole industries are struggling.

So, if you’ve found yourself in any of these situations, you may be considering a change of career.

Again, there are a number of questions you will need to ask yourself before going ahead with any given career path.

• What would you like to do? There’s no point pursuing a career that you have absolutely no interest in, just for the sake of money or because the work is there. You spend a huge portion of your life working, so make sure it’s doing something you enjoy.

• What education or qualifications do you require? Does the role require a degree or particular training courses? How much do these cost? How long do they take? Is this something that you are ready to commit to? If your heart is set on the job, then chances are the answer to the last question is yes! But if not, you may want to consider something that requires less hard work to get into, or something that you are willing to work hard for.

• Is the field recruiting? Some industries are really struggling right now and may not be providing any work in the near future. During times like these, you may need to be practical and look for a role that is hiring for the time being. Alternatively, if you have your heart set on a particular role, you may want to spend this quiet period studying, gaining qualifications or taking other actions to maximise your chances of being hired once the industry does start thriving again.

Working from home options after the pandemic

The pandemic forced many people to work remotely, and for some, it’s been a revelation. They’ve discovered a newfound passion for the flexibility and freedom that comes with working from home. If you’re one of them, you’re in luck! There are a growing number of work-from-home opportunities available, across a wide range of fields.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Tutoring: If you have expertise in a particular subject, tutoring can be a great way to share your knowledge and earn money from home. Many online platforms connect tutors with students, such as Tutor Hunt. These platforms handle the administrative side of things, so you can focus on teaching.
• Freelance writing or editing: You can craft website content, blog posts, articles, marketing materials, and more. Editors ensure that written work is clear, grammatically sound, and stylistically consistent. This requires strong writing skills, research abilities, and an eye for detail. Look for work on online job boards, freelance platforms, or by contacting businesses directly.
• Social media management: You’ll manage a company’s online presence by creating engaging content, scheduling posts, interacting with followers, running social media ads, and analysing data. Success requires a deep understanding of major platforms, excellent communication, creativity, and staying on top of trends. Find work on online job boards, freelance platforms, or social media marketing agencies.
• Virtual assistants: Tasks can range from scheduling appointments to data entry or bookkeeping. Strong organisational skills, communication, time management, and computer proficiency are key. Look for work on online job boards, freelance platforms, or virtual assistant agencies.

The key is to find something that aligns with your skills and interests. With a little research, you’re sure to find a work-from-home option that’s a perfect fit for you.

Here are some additional tips for finding work-from-home opportunities:

• Start by searching online job boards. Many job boards now have filters specifically for remote work positions.
• Network with your contacts. Let them know you’re looking for work-from-home opportunities. You never know who might have a lead.
• Consider freelancing platforms. These platforms can be a great way to find short-term work-from-home gigs.

Working from home can be a fantastic way to achieve a better work-life balance and enjoy a more flexible lifestyle. So if you’re looking for a change, don’t be afraid to explore the work-from-home options available!

Final thoughts

As you can see, some pretty big life decisions and changes could come out of this pandemic.

For many, the entire situation has made them realise what is important in life and to stop living in a house or area that is not suitable or to continue working a job that is not enjoyable.

Circumstances may have also forced some people to think about these things and reassess their lifestyle.

Ultimately, considering a new start is a good thing. It’s a chance to improve your life, start afresh, live and work somewhere with a passion.

Sure, it may feel a little daunting entering the unknown and making significant changes that will impact your day to day life. But if they make your daily life a little happier and more enjoyable, or more beneficial for you and your family, they’re steps that are more than worth making!

Hopefully, some of the above information, reflections and questions will help to get the ball rolling for you!