During this unprecedented time in earth’s history, people are feeling the effects in different ways.
Some are isolated away from their loved ones, only able to communicate by virtual means.
Others are isolated with their loved ones, feeling an increasing need to get away or simply have a little time to themselves.
People are scared, nervous, worried, insert anxiety-producing emotion here. We are all feeling it. You are not alone.
It’s easier to feel alone in our thoughts, fears, and worries than it is to recognize that we are all actually experiencing similar things in one way or another.
The fact that we have been separated from our usual social activities in itself is enough to weigh heavy on our mental and emotional health, not to mention the state of the world at the moment!
But, what if somehow, this whole crazy experience makes us closer to one another, even while we’re physically further apart? What if, by some chance, we all come out of this as better people, together?
If you pay close attention, there’s something that becomes obvious…
The pandemic, civil unrest, economic downturn, and various other crises that we are simultaneously experiencing all seem to have something in common: we are helping each other more! People are starting to see that the old ways of being no longer work.
While we are used to living in a dog-eat-dog world and competing for the top spot on the success ladder, we have now been thrown into a slew of situations that require us to rely on each other.
To feel empathy for each other. To start the wheels in motion towards positive change.
Take, for example, one of the many elephants in the room: The Coronavirus pandemic.
While the fear of contagion is causing us all to stay away from each other physically, there has been more connection between us than ever.
People are reaching out to each other virtually more than they did before it was the primary means of communication.
Neighbors are helping to deliver groceries to one another.
The general public has finally begun to show gratitude for Healthcare workers, First Responders, and those in the hospitality industry.
All this should have happened a long time ago, and it’s a shame that it’s taken a crisis to bring it about… but better late than never.
While being stuck at home is of course less than ideal, there are different perspectives to take on the new reality we have been forced into.
Here are a few suggestions for how this time can be used to your advantage:
1. Focus on the Good
Have you noticed anything good happening in your life? Even something small?
Perhaps you’re spending more quality time with loved ones since you’re all stuck at home together, or you’re taking more walks in nature to get out of the house?
Maybe you’re meditating more regularly, cooking from home more, learning new culinary skills or doing home based workouts that you didn’t used to have time for?
Whatever it is, pay attention to it and be grateful!
The fact that we now have more time on our hands can be a blessing in disguise, no matter how boring it might seem on the surface.
When we look for a silver lining, we can see the good things happening all around us that we may not have noticed before.
2. Take Time to Reflect
After a certain number of days in quarantine, I realized I could only do my routine household chores so many times, and binging Netflix just wasn’t cutting it.
So, what other options were there?
After about a week of being a cranky so and so, I decided to see my forced sabbatical as a gift, given to me to do the things I wouldn’t have had the time for before.
I spent some time reflecting and decided to get back to the spiritual practices I’d let slip, resume my abandoned self-care routine, and take advantage of the extra time with my kids.
And guess what? I felt 100 times better!
The opportunities available to us can be difficult to notice when we’re busy, but with extra time on our hands we can become more aware of them and use them for our benefit.
3. Use it to Get Ahead
When the pandemic first hit and shelter in place was issued, I was two months into a new job that I LOVED.
I was laid off indefinitely, which was fine since I would need to be home with my kids now anyway. However, it left me to figure out my financial situation in a hurry.
After the initial shock, I realized that this would be the perfect time to do something I’d been wanting to do for years, but never had the time for: finally launch my writing career!
This obviously won’t be the case for everyone, and some people are fortunate enough to do their current jobs from home without too much hassle.
But, if there’s something you’ve been wanting to do and haven’t been able to find the time for, this could be your moment!
Take that class you’ve been eyeing online, remodel the bathroom, organize the pantry, or get your exercise routine back in motion.
It helps to take some time and write out a list, which will organize your thoughts and put things into perspective. While not everything on my list has been accomplished yet, I’m grateful that I have the extra time to focus on things that matter to me without feeling guilty about it!
4. Strengthen Relationships
Being home with loved ones 24/7 can be difficult, especially when it’s not by choice. Likewise, being away from our families and friends for a seemingly endless period of time can be even more daunting.
Thankfully, the technology we have in our modern world allows people to connect to each other from pretty much anywhere, and many are taking advantage of this.
It seems to be more important now than ever to stay in touch, and bonds are being strengthened in the process!
For those of us who are frustrated at home with our loved ones, there is a silver lining here: despite the frustration that confinement brings, we are spending more time actually being together.
Without the crazy schedules, the school runs, commutes and extra-curricular activities, I’m finding that my kids and I are enjoying each other’s company more simply because we have the time to.
Having zero time to myself has been…different. But I’d much rather be with them than not, and I know we’ll grow stronger as a family through this challenging time together.
5. Nourish Your Body, Mind and Soul
It goes without saying that this is a stressful time for all of us, and it’s easy to get caught up in the fear that’s swirling around.
Fear and stress cause imbalances physically, mentally and emotionally, so it’s even more important that we take especially good care of ourselves during these uncertain times.
Feeding our bodies nutritious food, taking time out to meditate, exercise or get extra sleep, and connecting to ourselves spiritually are all ways we can help mitigate the stress.
It’s easy to forget how important self-care is, especially during hard times. But if we make it a priority and create a routine for ourselves, it becomes part of our day that we cherish and look forward to.
While this chaotic time is devastating, there are small ways we can be grateful for the changes that have been put upon us.
We will grow stronger together through this challenge, even if it seems impossible right now. Just keep moving forward a little each day in whatever way works for you, big or small.
There is a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel, and we’ll see the sunshine on the other side of it!