
If uncertainty is unacceptable to you, it turns into fear. If it is perfectly acceptable, it turns into increased aliveness, alertness, and creativity.
-Eckhart Tolle
Are there things you would have done differently had you known this pandemic was coming? As well as I feel like we’re navigating things as a family, there are definitely some things I would have done to better prepare for all this, if given the chance.
I would have better prepared myself for all the…
- Anxiety and uncertainly surrounding what’s to come during and after this global pandemic.
- Confusion that surfaced with nothing to compare this time to from the past. Is this a staycation? Summer vacation? What?
- Grief over cancelled future plans, and not being able to reschedule them as of yet.
- Loss of everyday life.
- Sadness for the world as a whole.
- Mindless snacking throughout the day.
- The constant togetherness at home.
- Working from home (something I’ve done since 2018 with an all online counseling private practice), but it feels different now that the whole family is home with me.
- Need for more daily self-care, as my normal morning route just isn’t cutting it right now.
- 10.The lack of food and supplies, which are still shocking each and every time I got to the store.
I would have better prepared my family for all the…
- E-learning and the stress that has come up for all of us around this new way of learning.
- Boredom, especially since it seems to be a new feeling for my kids these days.
- Lack of physical books to read with libraries closed and online ordering taking a long time (and the kids aren’t big fans of kindle books the way my husband and I am).
- Lack of our normal food and normal supplies.
- Loss of social interaction outside of the immediate family.
- Feelings of restlessness.
- New workouts from home.
- No after school sports and other extracurricular activities.
- Music lessons via the web.
- 10.Urge to snack throughout the day.
I would have been prepared my therapy clients for all the…
- Heightened level of anxiety during this difficult time.
- Feelings of sadness that may surface.
- Grief and loss on so many different levels.
- Mindless snacking.
- Job/financial concerns.
- Everyday monotony (what day of the week is it again?)
- Need for more daily self-care.
- New everyday stressors such as childcare, working and teaching all mixed up together throughout the day.
- Need for extra emotional support (especially starting or continuing with therapy sessions).
- 10.Loneliness and isolation without their normal support systems in place.
Do any of these resonate with you and what you’ve been experiencing since the start of this global pandemic? Exercises like this can help to normalize how you’re feeling. It can help validate that you’re not alone and that many people are feeling exactly the same way you are right now. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help and support today!