This week as we embark on stage two of the Government’s phased reopening plan, I have a few thoughts for you to consider.

Once you got over the initial trauma of being confined to your home and cut off from what — for the purposes of discussion — I will refer to as your “consumption-driven” life, how many of those things that you used to view as absolutely essential did you really miss?

Certainly, we all missed the opportunity to spend time with friends and family and move freely about the island, but what about everything else?

Were you obsessing over the fact that you couldn’t get your daily takeout beverage fix, or were you just thankful to be safely at home with your health intact?

Did you surprise yourself with your problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness when it came to finding ways to cook meals with limited ingredients, to pamper yourself or keep yourself busy with projects around the house?

Have you considered how this situation has altered your perception of luxury?

If you have been following the world news reports regarding the devastating impact that the pandemic is having on the lives of people in other countries, it’s hard not to appreciate just how fortunate we are to live in such an isolated place with a temperate climate and a community that is pulling together to tackle our health and economic challenges.

Much as I miss those frequent visits from my postal carrier with mail and parcel slips from foreign shores (yes, local mail is still getting through), I find that I am quite content to be able to go for a daily walk around my neighbourhood in worn-out sneakers, or take a sandwich to the beach in the middle of the work day.

Granted, this is my idea of personal luxury and luxury is not a one-size-fits-all concept.

How has your concept of luxury been transformed by this experience?

Are you discovering new ways to “live richly” with less?

Traditional advertisers would tell us that luxury is a mega-yacht or a diamond watch, but is that how you want to personally define luxury “in the now”?

Are you still counting the days until your next cruise or have you noticed that you are suddenly able to find joy or feel pampered by simpler things?

This is not to say that you will not cruise again, but are you finding that you are able to appreciate the smaller things in life that we once all took for granted? The opportunity to sit down and eat breakfast with the family, or snuggle with the dog, or write in your journal, or photograph the masses of wild flowers that are blooming everywhere because the grass has not been cut?

And most importantly, as we work together to shape our new island life, what experiences and lessons will you carry forward with you to enrich your daily life?

• Robin Trimingham is an author and thought leader in the field of retirement who specialises in helping corporate groups and individuals understand and prepare for a new life beyond work. Contact her at www.olderhoodgroup.com, 538-8937 or robin@olderhood.com