It’s official. The world is on lockdown. People are out of work. Streets are empty.
Schools are canceled. Shows are canceled. Weddings are canceled. Vacations are canceled.
The entire planet is canceled.
We are stuck at home, isolated from the entire world, without having even the slightest idea of what is happening outside our homes. One thing is for sure. Uncertainty is the only certainty there is right now. It is the main reason for the stress and the panic attacks that we are going through right now…
But you know what they say… There is always light after the darkness.
If you are alive and well, count your blessing because not everyone out gets to do that these days. And if you are struggling to get through these tough times, I suggest you keep reading…
This is a time for self-confrontation, self-acceptance, and self-love.
Let’s use it wisely!
1. Take a mental break from everything and everyone around you. Right now the media is going crazy. To be honest, at this point I feel like I no longer know what is real or fake. There is too much information circulating on social media, and its main purpose besides informing is to spread panic. So, you see it is too damn easy to get to stuck in that cycle of madness. Don’t let this put a cloud over your head. Be informed about the situation, but don’t let the media drain the life out of you. Take a mental break from everything and just breathe.
2. Talk to your loved ones about how you feel. Share the love, the fear, the pain, the sadness, the insecurity, the anxiety… Open up and share whatever it is that is bothering you. Get it out of your system. Open up and let your emotions flow like a river.
3. Be kind and giving to others. Spend more time with those you love. Use the isolation period to catch up with old friends that you haven’t heard from in a while. Call your grandma and ask her how she’s doing. Offer to go grocery shopping for your neighbors. Make dinner for your parents. Donate some clothes and food for those in need. Wake your partner with a lovely breakfast in bed. Share a list of quarantine activities that are helping you stay sane with your online friends. Be there for the people who need you.
4. Express gratitude for everything that you have. It is really easy to fall into the trap of self-pity during these tough times. It’s even easier to forget how blessed you truly are compared to those who are really struggling with this sickness right now. If you, my friend, are alive and well, have a roof over your head, a nice warm bed beneath you, a warm meal in front of you and people who love you, you have more than some could ever ask for. You have it all. Count your blessings and be grateful for everything that life has given you.
5. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. There is no shame in accepting your weaknesses and being open to people about them. After all, you are just a human being. You have emotions. And emotions cannot always be positive. The heart feels what it feels. The only thing we can do is let those emotions flow and deal with them in healthy ways. Thankfully, this pandemic has happened during a technologically advanced time allowing us to connect with people digitally and talk about anything. So, yes… People are out there. Doctors, coaches, teachers, psychiatrists are available online. The only thing you need to do is reach out to them. Especially if you feel like you need help dealing with your anxiety or any other mental condition.
6. Take care. And don’t let fear take over your life. You’ll get through this. WE’LL get through this. I am sure of it.
