2 Years of Pandemic Living with The Happy Hour Ladies
Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host Happy Hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. March represents the two-year anniversary of the global lockdown that officially began the global pandemic due to Covid-19. Can you believe it? Two years! So, the ladies join me to discuss the impact that the continued pandemic has had on them, the highs and lows they’ve experienced because of it, and their thoughts on where we’re heading next.
What are we drinking?
Melanie from The Mental Health and Wealth Show - Iced Coffee w/ Almond Milk
Kassandra from kassandradasent.com - Hot Chocolate
Joy, Head of Trainer Academy at The Gym - Vegan Wine
Shannon - Nighthawk Bota Box Wine
Podcast Notes
It’s been two years of collectively living through a global pandemic. When everyone sat down for the 1-year reflection episode last year, the hope was to not be talking about it again in March 2022.
Melanie talks about how the last few years have been incredibly tough for folks with mental health struggles. There is fear, paranoia, and anxiety, which were all heightened by social isolation. There have been spikes in alcohol and drug abuse. Friendships and workplaces have changed forever. She gave up alcohol as a coping mechanism and tries to protect her mental health while staying informed about what was happening in the world.
Kassandra shares a little about a conversation she recently had with her husband. There are some folks who have been really struggling through job loss, family loss, and getting physically sick. But, there is opportunity in adversity, so some folks have used this time to work on themselves, further their goals, and really shine. There are so many issues going on, it’s important to remember we can only control what we can, and she has really focused on self-preservation. She knows she can’t take care of other people unless she’s taking care of herself first.
Joy talks about how the last two years have brought her back to basics and reminded her not to take things for granted. She has spent a lot of time thinking about what it really means to live a life. Being forced to slow down helped her find the time to build a routine and find joy in gratitude everywhere she can. It’s a whole new way of living life.
Shannon talks about how the first lockdown feels like a lifetime ago. She tries not to take anything for granted, including just being able to walk into establishments to use the bathroom. She’s thankful for the folks rising up and reminds us to always look for the helpers in times of suffering. As a person of faith, she always tries to remember we are in greater hands and there is a plan.
Highlight or gift this time has given you?
Melanie gave up drinking as a coping mechanism and has been really happy with that choice.
For Joy, the world's collective slowing down has helped her find what is important in her life and be able to find gratitude in the small things.
Kassandra and her husband reconnected as a couple. She has also gone through many personal challenges and feels like she’s coming out on the other side stronger than ever.
Shannon has faced a lot of adversity as a leader of a company, but it has helped her grow and pushed her further than she thought possible. She is so excited about the future of the business in a way she hasn’t been the last two years. In her personal life, she met her boyfriend, and they’ll be celebrating a year together next month.
My biggest takeaway is that as we transition to the different phases of this pandemic, I hope we never forget the lessons we are learning along the way. No matter how painful they may feel, and they have been extremely painful, they are necessary and important for all of us.
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group, and let me know what you want to hear.
We’re in a new year and the Financial Gym has so many ways that you can work with us. If you’re looking for a career shift, we’ve started a Financial Trainer Certification Program where you can have the greatest job in the world. We have online courses for you to learn on your own. If you’re looking for financial products like a new credit card or high yield savings account, we have all of our favorites on the BFF Approved Products Page. And finally, if you want one-on-one coaching with a compassionate and empathetic person, our Financial Trainers are here to help you and remember, Martinis and Your Money listeners get 15% off of one-on-one Financial Training at The Gym. We’re here to meet you wherever you are on your financial health journey and hope we’ll see you soon!