Why Aren’t We Reflecting on the Pandemic?

One of the most valuable tools this podcast has given me is the space to reflect — on my life, on the conversations I’ve had, on how far I’ve come. It’s become an essential life skill, one I turn to often to make meaning of my experiences and chart what’s next.

But when I zoom out to the world around me, especially in the wake of the pandemic, I can’t help but notice an absence of reflection.

It feels like we’re trying to move on, to blindly accept “the new normal”, without ever looking back. Like we’ve got our collective heads in the sand.

And yet — how do we create the light without first acknowledging the dark?

Season 6 of Finding ME has focused on stories from the pandemic. It’s been a powerful invitation to remember. To sit with what was hard. To honour what changed us. And to ask better questions about where we go from here.

Last week’s conversation with Jodie, a former nurse in the hospital system during the pandemic and mother of two, shares what it was like inside the hospital walls — witnessing the fear, the confusion, the heartbreak. She talks about the beauty that came from that time alongside the guilt knowing so many suffered, the complexity of vaccine decisions, and the emotional weight of choosing a different path for her kids.

What I appreciate most is that, even with some hesitation, Jodie came onto the podcast and allowed herself to reflect. That reflection sparked new conversations with her husband and invited her to explore her experience more deeply.

In doing so, she’s begun turning experience into wisdom. Here are a couple of gold nuggets from our conversation:

1. We often set firmer boundaries for our children than we do for ourselves
Jodie realized she could advocate for her kids, even when it meant going against societal expectations. That courage became a mirror — showing her she was worthy of the same protection and care.

2. Questioning the norm isn’t rebellion — it’s self-respect.
From homeschooling to health choices, Jodie discovered the power of asking, “Is there another way?” That question changed everything.

Reflection is not a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a necessity.
It’s how we find wisdom in the dark and move toward the light with more compassion, more awareness, and more capacity to support each other in the next crisis.

✨ If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of your own pandemic experience, or wondered how others are still unpacking it — I hope you’ll listen to Jodie’s story. It’s honest, nuanced, and full of heart.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: Jodie: A Frontline Perspective on Covid
💬 I’d love to hear — what reflections has the pandemic brought up for you?

With love and curiosity,