6 Lessons We Can Learn from Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day!

My husband and I watched the cult classic Groundhog Day last night, and I couldn't help but make some connections between Bill Murray's nightmare experience and what we're going through right now.

Is it just me, or is every day starting to feel the same?

Here are 6 lessons we can learn from Bill Murray's character in Groundhog Day to help us get through the monotony of pandemic life:

1. It's okay to feel what you feel.

Living and learning through a pandemic isn't easy. It's natural to feel sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety, boredom, or any other feeling your feeling. Give yourself, and your child, permission to express and work through all of those emotions.

2. Connection is Key

Opening himself up to connections with others is what finally sets Bill Murray's character free. To get through the monotony of this pandemic, we need to lean on our relationships more than ever. Prioritize your relationships with your children and help them build and maintain relationships with their peers and teachers.

3. The Opportunity to Learn New Skills

Reframe being forced to spend all of this time at home into an opportunity to learn new skills and develop new hobbies. Bill Murray learns to speak French, to carve ice, and to play piano as he relives Groundhog Day over and over again. Follow his lead and challenge yourself to learn a new skill. When else will you be able to devote hours and hours to learning how to crotchet or perfect your sourdough bread recipe? Encourage your children to set a goal and learn a new skill or immerse themselves in a new hobby.

4. The Power of Do-Overs

It takes Bill Murray's character quite a few days of stepping into the icy puddle before he learns to step over it. Remember that tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start. Instead of thinking of each day as more of the same, think of each day as a fresh start. What can you improve on from the day before? What tiny steps can you take to make each day better than the last? Guide your children in doing the same. Reflect on how each day went and set small, doable goals for the following day.

5. The Importance of Routines

Bill Murray's character might not have appreciated the fact that each day was the same for him, but eventually he was able to use it to his advantage. Our children need a consistent routine now more than ever. Post a daily schedule in a place that's visible for them. Try to keep wake up times, meal times, and bedtimes consistent and build in time for unstructured play and brain breaks.

6. The Importance of Novelty

No, I'm not suggesting you go for a joyride on the railroad tracks like Bill Murray's character did, but do find ways to break up the monotony of pandemic life. What can your family look forward to? How can you keep every day from feeling like the last? Get out your calendar and mark some theme days. Perhaps one day will be pajama day, another day will be inspired by a favorite movie (virtual school from Castle of Arendelle? Why not!), and maybe every Friday will be pizza and a movie night. Be creative and let you children help come up with ideas. Keep the calendar visible so everyone has something to look forward to.