We are four months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, a health crisis of epic proportions the likes of which most of us never have seen before. Even as many states are loosening shelter-in-place restrictions, many of us are experiencing an increase in loneliness, depression and anxiety. Many of us are wondering just how much more of this we can take. Many of us are wondering just how much longer we will be in the midst of this storm.

Thinking about the pandemic as a storm reminded me of a quote by Haruki Murakami from “Kafka on the Shore” that really resonated with me: “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”

This quote really leaves me thinking about who I want to be after this pandemic is over. Who do I want to be when things return to “normal,” whatever “normal” looks like then? What do I want my life to look like when this storm passes?

Storms can allow us to take time to reflect on any number of things. While sometimes keeping us inside, storms can allow us time to slow down and think about what things in our lives we might want to change, what things about ourselves we might want to work on. What is this pandemic teaching you about yourself? Perhaps the goings-on of today are teaching you to take time to practice self-care in ways you never may have considered previously. Perhaps this pandemic is teaching you what really matters in your life. Perhaps this global health crisis is teaching you who really matters in your life, what relationships are important to you and why.

There are different ways we can look at storms. Some may choose to think of storms as disruptive, disturbing the peace of our lives. Others may choose to think of storms as a way to clear clutter from our lives and allow us to take a new path. Storms can try us, but they also can teach us about ourselves. What are you learning about yourself during this particular storm? Who are you becoming during this time?

Perhaps you are becoming more resilient during this storm. Perhaps you are learning that you are stronger than you thought you were. Perhaps you are learning that it is okay to reach out for help during these trying times. That in itself tells me that you are strong. It takes more courage to ask for help than it does to suffer in silence.

This storm—this pandemic—may be taking a toll on you. But if you look at this time of uncertainty as an opportunity to learn and grow, you might just come out of this as the person you always were meant to be. What you do with this time is entirely up to you. You can choose to remain the same or you can choose to use this time to become the best version of you. Whatever you choose, own your choice. It is your choices that determine the direction of your life.