5 Things I Learnt When Launching A Writing Career During A Pandemic

The year 2020 started off normally, probably for the majority of the world. We said our goodbyes to the previous year and turned eagerly to look ahead and see what was in store in the next. Little did we know how the whole world was very soon going to be turned upside down and inside out!

Before we could barely grasp what hit us, the world came to a screeching, grinding stop. Day in, day out; on TV and on social media; between total strangers who met in the streets; there was only one word on everyone’s lips—Covid-19! And it halted the world in a way that no other disease ever had!

Dazed and confused, every country watched as this virus spread among us at alarming rates, bringing chaos and death. Various conspiracy theories and opinions about its origin flooded social media, and panic ensued. People crowded into supermarkets, loading up their trolleys with preserved food, antiseptic wipes, hand sanitisers, packs of water, and yes—rolls and rolls of toilet paper! Words like “social distance”, “quarantine”, “pandemic” and “lockdown” abounded in our vocabulary. If someone so much as sneezed in public, they were treated as if they had committed murder. The world was experiencing a new kind of crazy!

And me? Well, I launched a new career!

Being unemployed for the previous months, I was already used to staying home. Obviously, because of Covid, I had to give up my regular outings with friends, family visits, and fitness classes, and it wasn’t easy to get used to these events disappearing from my calendar. But the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic coincided with the launching of my freelance career as a proofreader and content writer, and consequently, I was kept busy planning and preparing for it.

In a way, it was strange that I had already chosen to work from home, months before the majority of people all over the world were forced to do it. And yet, it was a happy coincidence, for I learnt a lot while I was working on promoting my new career during this pandemic.

These are 5 things I learnt when I began working from home in the Covid-19 era.

1. Working quietly and alone is essential to create quality content.

We live in a little seaside suburb, surrounded by countryside. My desk at home overlooks the woodlands behind our house. The roof is an oasis of serenity and inspiration, with beautiful views of fields as far as the eye can see. It is, therefore, a very quiet area and the perfect setting for writing creative content, without any interruptions except for the chirping of birds or a lone tractor chugging along in the distance.

I'm lucky! It's the perfect place for a writer. Because no matter how much you love socialising, like I do, when it comes to writing or proofreading, you need peace and quiet.

2. Slowing down inspires you to be creative.

Despite all the negativity that Covid-19 brought with it, there was a huge upsurge in creativity worldwide. People stuck indoors came up with numerous hilarious memes and home videos that hit the web and provided much-needed hilarity and distraction.

Since it became practically impossible to go anywhere physically, people met up online and held meetings, fitness classes, Masses, social events, and parties using various video apps. Home décor projects were on the rise, as people looked around their houses and rethought their furnishing choices.

If you’re a writer, you know that inspiration can strike at any time, but it definitely helps when you slow down your hectic life and spend more time in a quiet place without any distractions.

3. Some people will believe anything they read on social media.

Since the advent of this virus that brought us all to our knees, there has been a high number of posts on social media, citing various “medical” tips and actions that can help prevent or kill the virus, most of which were completely false. However, because it was on Facebook or Twitter, people kept believing the information was authentic, and, rather than listen to the sound advice given by health authorities worldwide, they insisted on spreading this misinformation by sharing it widely, without first checking if it was true.

One of the main requirements for a content writer is the ability to research information, so as to provide accurate material for articles and blog posts. Even if people still insist on believing false data, it is the responsibility of content writers to always seek the truth and share it.

4. Earth needs a break from human activity.

During full or partial lockdowns around the world, our Earth began to take a breather. Pollution and noise levels from cars and machines went down markedly, construction decreased, and flying aircraft became a rare sight. The air and our seas became noticeably cleaner and quieter. Here in Malta, there were numerous sightings of dolphins swimming close to our shores. This was definitely one huge upside to the upheaval the pandemic brought about.

As a writer, it made me even more environmentally conscious than ever before, and I vowed to use my talent to inspire others to continue looking after our precious Earth and to promote more eco-friendly measures, which will hopefully be around long after our lives return to normal.

5. We tend to take a lot of things for granted.

Raise your hand if you miss hugging your loved ones! Speak up if you are yearning to board a plane without having to wear a mask! Shout out if you long to go out and party, have dinner with your large group of friends, celebrate a special occasion—without having to social distance! I don’t know about you, but I crave the pre-Covid era, when we were able to do all these things and more, without even a second thought.

I was a writer from a very young age. My parents always encouraged me when they read the colourful essays I wrote as a child. People always told me how much they enjoyed reading anything I wrote. And yet, this year was the first time I ever thought about picking it up as a career. It wasn’t exactly Covid that inspired me to become a freelance writer and proofreader, but it certainly made me realise how much I needed to appreciate this gift and use it appropriately.

This pandemic has brought much upheaval, heartbreak, and loss, and I am in no way romanticising the dire situation it has dragged us into. However, I am a firm believer that there is always beauty that can come from ashes, and this virus has definitely made me sit up and re-evaluate my life in more ways than one. It has taught me to re-assess my priorities and to consider the damage we keep inflicting on ourselves and our beloved Earth. And I hope that my words will serve as an inspiration for you to do the same!

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