Thoughts on Staying Sane and Having Fun in an Uncertain World

By Adam Armstrong

At the time of writing, it’s December 2020.

Things are crazy right now. 

It doesn’t really matter where you stand politically, or what your thoughts and feelings about the whole “Covid Pandemic” are – 99.99% of people can probably agree that…

• 2020 has not gone as expected (understatement of the year perhaps)
• Things are a lot more UNCERTAIN than usual
• Simply living life, and enjoying yourself, has become more of a CHALLENGE than usual

In this blog post, I want to share a few of the strategies I’ve used over the past year – and will continue to use going forwards (until things go back to ‘normal’) – to stay sane, and have as much fun as possible, in a very uncertain world.

Before I get into the good stuff, I just want to acknowledge the fact that I am not perfect. Far from it in fact…

During this year, there have been many times where I’ve had a moment.’ For instance…

• During the first lockdown here in the UK (which lasted about 3 months), I did, at times, feel like a PRISONER in my own home (I love my kids, I love my wife… BUT, being stuck at home, just the 4 of us, every day for TWELVE WEEKS, was, at times, a pain in the ass. It felt like Cabin Fever)
• The gym has been opened and closed, repeatedly, on and off, all year (now, I’ve still trained, but it’s been far from ideal, which has, at times, really pissed me off)
• Simple things like taking the kids to the cinema or the gymnastics club, going out to buy clothes, or even going to a restaurant for a bite to eat, have been IMPOSSIBLE – illegal in fact (and this, I have to say, has been annoying, limiting, even a little bit depressing at times)

I also get that my issues, the ones I listed above, are ‘small fry’ – borderline irrelevant – compared to what people who work or run businesses in the retail sector, hospitality sector and so on have faced. If this Pandemic has caused you to have to shut your businesses – or someone you work for has had to shut their business – you have my thoughts. You really do.

Right now, I’m going to get more POSITIVE, and jump into…

5 Strategies I’ve Used to Stay Sane and Have as Much Fun as Possible in 2020…

You might think it sounds trivial, childish even, to talk about “having fun” in 2020 – given what’s going on. 

However, the way I see it…

You live ONCE. You have to make the most of it. 

And, if you’re not ENJOYING your life, what’s the point?

This year, if nothing else, I’ve learned the true value of Bruce Lee’s quote about “flowing like water.” Truly, if you’re STIFF AS A WALL, inflexible and lacking adaptability, 2020 will not have been kind to you…

1. Be Adaptable

If you’re the kind of person who loves ROUTINE and ORDER – 2020 will have been a nightmare. Because regular routine and order went out the window (to varying degrees depending on where you live in the world).

Small point: I think we got shafted in the US and UK (because I went to Switzerland with one of my brothers earlier this year and they’re handling of the pandemic seemed so much better! Clear, efficient communication, no panic, reasonable restrictions and so on. What a country).

To enjoy 2020, you have to be ADAPTABLE.

You have to be willing to change your ways, at least somewhat.

If you refuse to change, you will SUFFER. A lot.

Here are a few ways I’ve changed – adapted – to make this year more tolerable, and, in fact, still enjoyable, despite the craziness:

• When the gyms closed, many of my friends would stop training and get out of shape and FAT (instead, I trained at home, or found a quiet spot, locally, and dragged my Sled). Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and all that
• I spent a lot of time READING during the lockdowns, because there were far less places to go than usual (this proved a blessing – I’ve read more than 30 books this year, on finance, business, health and more. It’s been the best EDUCATION I’ve had in years). 3 of the best books I’ve read have been: Fake by Robert Kiyosaki, Aftermath by James Rickards and The One Thing by Gary Keller
• I’ve become a better father – because having 2 young kids, yet not having all the usual places to take them on the weekend, has made me more thoughtful, and, yes, more PATIENT!

So, it’s like they’ve said in the East for thousands of years…

ADAPTABILITY really is the ultimate expression of HEALTH.

This year will, sadly, drive many people to SUICIDE. That’s a proven FACT, and a tremendous shame.

However, on the other end of the spectrum, other people will see things different, adapt to their new environment (whether temporary or permanent changes) and carry on thriving.

2. See The Good In Everything and Take Nothing for Granted

One day you’re free to pretty much do whatever you want – so long as you don’t HARM anyone else, and so long as you pay your TAXES!

The next day…

You can’t leave your house (unless it’s to go food shopping, take 30 minutes of exercise, or seek emergency medical care)…

You can’t have friends or family over to your house, or visit them at their house…

You can’t meet with friends in public…

You have to wear a mask…

And so on.

Things can change. And they do. FAST.

Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst.

I think this year highlights how important it is to VALUE and APPRECIATE every single second of every single day…

To use your time wisely (because, as Bruce Lee said: “Do not waste time, because time is what life is made up of”)…

To squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of every single thing you do…

Because you never really know when hard/tough/weird/odd/crazy times are coming.

Live in gratitude. I think that’s the message here. Find things to be grateful for, and acknowledge that you’re grateful for them every single day.

3. Embrace The Outdoors

One benefit that these lockdowns may have given a good proportion of people is a renewed love of the outdoors.

Here in England I see people cycling everyone I go… and the countryside is a lot busier, with people taking walks, and actually being healthier.

I’ve certainly made more use of local parks and natural beauty spots during 2020. For example, on a weekend, instead of taking the kids bouldering (indoor climbing) or to gymnastics – instead we’ve gone outside and climbed trees, kicked a football, played throw and catch, run, jumped and so on.

So, while I certainly don’t enjoy being FORCED into the outdoors (because every other source of entertainment is closed due to government regulation) I cannot deny that it’s been fun to spend more time in nature, in the countryside, and it’s healthy too.

4. Save Money Where Possible

Recent studies have shown that many people have (wisely) chosen to SAVE money during these lockdowns (where possible. I realize not everyone has that luxury).

I know here in England many banks allowed people a “3 month mortgage holiday” that would not affect their credit rating. Many took this “payment holiday,” banked the cash for a rainy day, and accepted a slight increase in the interest they owed.

Can’t say I blame them. 

I think it’s smart.

Other people noticed their petrol, bus or taxi money went down (because they were working from home, and traveling less at the weekends). Others found they weren’t spending as much money on entertainment (because restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas and so on were shut). So they banked the cash, or invested it.

Maybe 2020 is the year that reminded people of the importance of SAVING money, and not spending every penny. Could be a benefit going forwards, because it’d lead to a more stable population, financially at least.

5. Work On Yourself!

Ultimately, the best investment you can make is not in property, stocks or a new business venture…

It’s in YOU.

A better YOU is a better MAN (or woman).

A better YOU is therefore a better father, husband, lover, entrepreneur, investor, athlete, philanthropist and so forth.

A couple of the ways I ‘worked on me’ this year:

• Reading (big investment in my knowledge)
• Physical Training – even though the gyms were shut, I sometimes trained TWICE a day, at home or outside (an investment in my physical body)
• I spent a lot more time with my kids, during lockdowns (this made me a better father in many ways)

***

Look. I’ll say it…

Some people have all the mental fortitude of a chocolate teapot. As soon as things get slightly tough, they crack. 

However, in 2020 (and 2021, and every year going forwards) as well, the STRONG will make it. They’ll be fine.

And, the good news is…

You can be STRONG anytime you like. It’s a mind-set. It’s a way of being. It’s the attitude that “no matter what comes my way – no matter how tough it is – I’m going to make it through it. Things are going to be ok.”

Personally, the book that had the biggest impact on my largely positive, upbeat, empowering mind-set was “Awaken The Giant Within” by Tony Robbins. I read that nearly 20 years ago, and it changed my life dramatically.

The Chapter on “The 10 Day Mental Challenge” could definitely help A LOT of people right now.

I feel like, if you’ve not already read it, with all the craziness and uncertainty in the world right now, NOW would be a great time to read it.

Got Feedback, Questions or Comments?

Leave them in the comments section below and I’ll get back to you ASAP…

Adam