The 7 Most Important Lessons I Learned Last Year
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The past year has taught us all some important lessons about ourselves and our industry, whether we wanted to learn them or not. Having our world turned upside down overnight will do that. But the end of the pandemic is in sight, even though it’s not quite here yet. It’s an apt time to reflect on what we’ve learned from the long, trying months of COVID-19.
Here are seven lessons I’ve learned this past year:
- We and the film industry are resilient.
We were all put to the test, and anyone who survived with their health and sanity intact should consider themselves fortunate. Even those of us who enjoy challenges were feeling overwhelmed, but somehow we managed to move forward.
Remarkably, the film industry managed to come together to formulate a workable plan for getting everyone back to work after a painful, months-long production hiatus. And it’s a plan that works and is a model for other industries.
It makes me glad to work in a business that’s capable of such creative problem-solving.
- Non-profits are more vital than ever to society as a whole.
Yes, we’ve all given money to charities we support, but never has there been a year within living memory of people needing them more. In the film industry, the Actors Fund, the Directors Guild Foundation, and other non-profits helped struggling industry workers on an unprecedented scale.
Many food banks and rescue missions saw former donors now needing help. I can't imagine what would have happened to all those people without non-profits being there to offer assistance.
When charities ask us to give generously, we all need to respond in any small way that we can. We may be the ones needing help someday.
- It’s essential to have multiple revenue streams.
Many of us have worked for years in the film industry without ever thinking about other revenue streams. I’ve always been a believer in having other sources of income, and this crazy year made me very glad I did.
The internet, which didn’t even exist when my generation was young, now provides us with many opportunities to earn money from multiple sources. We can teach classes, offer services, and write for pay, all from the comfort of home.
My motto is that you’re never too old to develop another revenue stream. Last year, many people’s survival depended on it.
- We need to focus more on our mental health.
Most of us don’t give our mental health a second thought, but it’s every bit as important as our physical health. We work in a competitive, high-stress industry that’s unpredictable in the best of times. This past year was the worst of times, and it’s taken a toll on our mental health and well-being.
Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. We should never take our mental health for granted, and we need to make full use of the services available if we need help.
We can’t cope with what life and the industry throws at us every day without positive mental health. I intend to be pro-active about looking out for my mental health and taking the necessary steps to maintain it.
- I appreciate the online industry events that kept us connected.
Who could have imagined a year ago that there would be so many online industry events?
The weekly Republic of Zoom meetings for DGA members got many of us through the uncertain summer months, providing essential health and safety information for our community. The APA workshops and mixers provided ways to connect with peers and reminded us that we’re not alone.
Even the big DGA Awards Show is online and free this year. So I guess the internet has even democratized the DGA Awards Show, as no one has to spend $250 a ticket or get dressed up. I’ll be attending from home in my sweats.
- Most of us have too much stuff.
The pandemic has made many of us realize that we have far more stuff than we need or even want. I took piles of unwanted items to the thrift store this year and didn’t miss any of them.
2020 was the year we got our priorities straight, and there’s no going back. Many of us want and value different things than we did before the pandemic. Family, friends, and community are the most important things. Having the latest and greatest new toy means nothing.
Lessons learned.
- The beauty of nature is worth appreciating every single day.
Nature’s healing power was beautifully visible in all its glory these past twelve months. Just being in a park or garden restored our souls. And we watched nature heal from all the abuse humans have inflicted on it. The air was cleaner, and marine life began to thrive again.
If ever we needed a reminder that nature is worth protecting, we got it during this pandemic. I don’t plan ever to forget that lesson. Nature can genuinely heal itself and heal us.
Conclusion
The pandemic has forced us all to adapt to changes that we couldn’t have imagined. But somehow, we rose to the occasion. I won't forget the lessons I’ve learned from this crisis.
It may not have been a fun experience, but we’ve managed to grow, and have hopefully changed for the better. What have you learned this past year? Feel free to share in the comments section.
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