Welcome to week 3 of Staying at Home!
Ok so I think the vast majority of us are getting sick and tired of this by now but hopefully you are finding a new routine that keeps you occupied, interested in things and includes plenty of time for rest and reflection.
One thing that I've becoming increasingly aware of is just how much emotional energy it is taking to deal with this pandemic and the restrictions placed on our behaviors. It wasn't enough that they closed all the bars and restaurants and movies and music menus and gyms and libraries etc... then we had to maintain a strict 6 foot distance from other people (except those who we live with), and finally, at the beginning of last week we had to do all of that but also wear masks covering our mouths and nose AND maintain 6 foot distances and stop going to grocery story so often. On top of that we still DON'T KNOW how long we are going to have to keep doing this or what life is going to even look like a few weeks or a few months from now. Plus there are the daily news reports of people who have died or afraid they are going to die and our worries about whether we or our loved ones are going to get the virus and die as well.
This is a lot to deal with psychologically.
Whether you are consciously focused on it or not, it is operating in the background all the time, like a radio that's just barely audible but causing constant irritation.
Because this is happening we have less "bandwidth" to cope with other things, maybe even amazingly minor things like the toast getting burnt. With everything going on in the background you might just "lose it" over that damned piece of toast that you were so looking forward to eating this morning. Or it might be your partner makes a sarcastic comment or doesn't respond to something you've said in a way that makes you feel like they hear you. Or your dog has an accident in the house and you might need to take him to the Vet.
It might feel like the final straw.
When and if this happens give yourself a big hug, take a time-out, and go do something you love. And whatever you do, don't beat yourself up about it.
I think this reduced emotional bandwidth also helps to explain why a lot of us are so incredibly exhausted and/or can't focus very well or accomplish what we're used to being able to accomplish.
There's a huge energy drain going on right now. The more you're aware of it, the easier it may be to cut yourself (and others) some slack.
Ok so I think the vast majority of us are getting sick and tired of this by now but hopefully you are finding a new routine that keeps you occupied, interested in things and includes plenty of time for rest and reflection.
One thing that I've becoming increasingly aware of is just how much emotional energy it is taking to deal with this pandemic and the restrictions placed on our behaviors. It wasn't enough that they closed all the bars and restaurants and movies and music menus and gyms and libraries etc... then we had to maintain a strict 6 foot distance from other people (except those who we live with), and finally, at the beginning of last week we had to do all of that but also wear masks covering our mouths and nose AND maintain 6 foot distances and stop going to grocery story so often. On top of that we still DON'T KNOW how long we are going to have to keep doing this or what life is going to even look like a few weeks or a few months from now. Plus there are the daily news reports of people who have died or afraid they are going to die and our worries about whether we or our loved ones are going to get the virus and die as well.
This is a lot to deal with psychologically.
Whether you are consciously focused on it or not, it is operating in the background all the time, like a radio that's just barely audible but causing constant irritation.
Because this is happening we have less "bandwidth" to cope with other things, maybe even amazingly minor things like the toast getting burnt. With everything going on in the background you might just "lose it" over that damned piece of toast that you were so looking forward to eating this morning. Or it might be your partner makes a sarcastic comment or doesn't respond to something you've said in a way that makes you feel like they hear you. Or your dog has an accident in the house and you might need to take him to the Vet.
It might feel like the final straw.
When and if this happens give yourself a big hug, take a time-out, and go do something you love. And whatever you do, don't beat yourself up about it.
I think this reduced emotional bandwidth also helps to explain why a lot of us are so incredibly exhausted and/or can't focus very well or accomplish what we're used to being able to accomplish.
There's a huge energy drain going on right now. The more you're aware of it, the easier it may be to cut yourself (and others) some slack.
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