What does rebuilding mean to you?
In a time where phrases such as “in the current climate”, “with everything going on” and “in a time where” (yes, I know what I’ve done here), it can be tough to look ahead when the present is so opaque.
We hosted a fantastic event with Unleash Today - Finding your equilibrium and path forward during uncertainty - focusing on rebuilding, last week, focusing on the future and yourself.Its fascinating to hear different people’s thoughts on how to proceed and flourish back to what seems like a carefree life pre-pandemic, and then work on taking those steps ourselves.
We asked a group of women what the word ‘rebuilding’ really meant to them, how it makes them feel and their attitude towards the future with this in mind.
How do you feel about rebuilding and what steps are you taking towards your future?
Whilst we try to go from A to B, it isn’t always that simple. Rebuilding to me means adapting – to changes, to circumstance, to needs and demands, whatever they may be. Whilst it may seem frustrating, scary and daunting, rebuilding can sometimes be exciting, make you reassess for the better and it also offers you chance to approach things in a new way. Whatever the circumstance and however I rebuild I try to focus on the end goal. No matter how I go about it and no matter what path I take, I will make it to B.
Abby, Marketing Manager, London.
The pandemic has been a scary and unimaginable time. It’s been a time of uncertainty but there has been some positives that I hope to build into my new normal. This time has helped me to evaluate myself and slow down a little from my fast paced working life and appreciate the things closest to me. For example, I have a new love for my local area and my community and the small acts of kindness within it!
Rose, Head of Creative Planning, London
The past 6 months have brought stress and anxiety to our lives on many levels. At the same time, it brought the perfect opportunity to many of us to review our lives and make real lasting changes. To me, rebuilding means taking a moment to re-set and start from scratch. The past few years have been so hectic that I haven’t taken the time to re-position myself and check: are my values still the same? Do I still have the same long-term goals? Which normal routines do I miss at the moment, and which not? Does what I am doing get me closer to where I want to be in the future? The pandemic therefore allowed me to stop, let go for a while and re-adjust my values and goals
Liselotte, Social Media Specialist, Helsinki
2020 started half a year ago, no one would have expected so many changes to the world and our life. Half a year ago, I was planning to apply for my internship in Bangkok. Half a year ago, I didn’t dare to ask for a job in Denmark. I was scared of changes, I was dreadful about it. In June 2020, I received my internship at my dream company in Denmark. I got to know so many experts in different fields and learned about their inspiring stories. I have grown professionally and personally. How did I rebuild myself at a time of such uncertainty? It took time and courage to rebuild. The lesson I learned in the whole process is that I need to be patient, flexible, and embrace changes. I also need to believe in myself. It is not as easy as saying. As I mentioned, it took a lot of courage to follow my heart. But once you do, you will find the light at the end of the tunnel
Uyen Phan, Events Lead, Denmark
Rebuilding to me is thinking about what I want to change within my life and the steps I can take to make it happen. This can be something big or something small. If it’s caused by something out of my control, then putting steps into place to rebuild, puts life back into my own control.
Sophia, Senior Publicity Manager, London
For me, rebuilding means, stopping, taking some time out and giving myself time to evaluate. Firstly, ‘where am I in my life, career, relationships?’ and ‘how did I get here?’ For me, of course I know it’s important to recognise if I am happy now, but also am I happy with how I got here - the time, the energy, the benefits etc. This helps me to understand where I want to go next and if I have that time and energy etc. to keep pursuing the path I am on, or if it’s time to re-direct. As a 33 year old I have had 4 career paths so far, and am about to embark on another. I have been knocked down, I have knocked myself down and each time I have carried on building who I am (while, let’s be honest, also having a cry and moan every so often too!). To me rebuilding is actually a chance to ‘carry on building’, it’s an opportunity to shake things up, to make sure you are doing what you want to do and you are happy and content with the direction you are going in and if not, well then it’s up to you to do something about it!
Emily, Freelance Planner, London
For me, rebuilding starts with self-reflection. If I take time out and reflect on what it is I want to change or how I want to grow, then I find it manageable and easier to make these changes happen. It is also important to remember that it isn’t a linear process, but one that takes resilience and time. This is something I often need to remind myself of however, it makes a big difference to my mindset when I do.
Kayleigh, Second in Department, Suffolk
Recently I’ve taken time to read more, talk to my friends and their perspective about current events to try and digest what is going on. In relation to systemic racism, I’ve taken time to evaluate my thoughts and behaviours and try to understand the deeper issues through reading and talking to friends of other races. I think it’s important to switch off from the world and media, even if it’s trash tv and just to sleep as much as possible. Overall the most important thing for me is to not over-engage in things I don’t have much control of. I think we are living in an over-saturated world where we can be too stimulated and would benefit from doing less.
Felicity, Graphic Designer, London
Author: FI KIEVENAAR
Fi Kievenaar has worked for over five years in film and entertainment PR in the UK for clients including 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Lionsgate, creating campaigns for Academy Award winning films such as La La Land and the Judy Garland biopic Judy. She has also recently freelanced as a PR & social consultant for a production company at Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia.
Her passion for creative writing began while writing features for films as part of her PR role, which developed into writing promotional scripts for film talent such as Ryan Reynolds and Mila Kunis.
Obsessed with film, Fi can be found reading up on the latest releases, rewatching her favourites or soaking up documentaries on nature or space – especially when David Attenborough is involved.