Have you noticed yourself feeling uneasy lately, maybe thinking (talking) to yourself more than usual, not recalling things with the same detail that you once did, perhaps unable to get to sleep as fast as usual, and even having the occasional outburst of anger or tears?
These are usual (normal) behaviours that we can expect over the next few months and beyond as we go through the roller coaster of emotions that uncertainty and adversity brings.
In New Zealand, we have gone through the first wave of a pandemic that had a lot of us wound up tighter than ever before as we tried to figure out what was happening. The apocalypse was upon us. Our mind worked overtime which left us tired, and when we fell asleep we had strange dreams as our mind continued to try and rationalise the irrational.
The pandemic also brought us closer together as those who were already struggling with negative thoughts before the pandemic were able to help those around them who found the level 4 lock-down unnerving. Many extroverts found it really challenging working from home, gym-goers had difficulty staying active, shoppers weren't able to go out and shop, and so it goes.
Some of us had great plans to read all of the books on our shelves, binge-watch our favourite series, or tackle that pesky task that we never had time to do before now. Did you do any of those things or did you find yourself making excuses that there was too many other more important things to do? If you did do those things, do you remember doing them or the content?
Now that we are through the 'full focus' mode of Level 4, our mind will want to rest and recover, as happens with any traumatic event. This period is often more challenging than the event itself as our mind begins to unwind and work through what just occurred.
Right now, some of us will be finding it truly difficult to settle into our new normal. We are already seeing a spike in people struggling with negative thinking, becoming even more vulnerable, more fragile.
The closeness we felt during the lockdown has become an even wider gap for those who were struggling prior to the lockdown. The level playing field of lockdown has gone and now even more of us are struggling.
How can you help yourself and those around you when establishing our new normal after any adversity. Simply, connecting with each other. Openly discussing with each other how we are feeling, what we are going through, our challenges, and how we are getting through each day. You may be surprised at how many of us are going through exactly the same as you.
Next, find your new normal by adhering as much as possible to your previous rituals, (routines) but, do one thing each day that challenges you. One thing that beaks the pattern, one thing that takes you out of your comfort zone, one thing that scares you just a little bit.
For some of us, that one thing is just getting through the day. And, that's okay.
We should never try to change too many things when we are down, that's the time to focus on just getting through the day. Changes in our life should be made when we are at our best, our strongest, when we usually enjoy the high before the next low comes.
Comfort yourself that this is our new normal, uncertainty. The sooner that we accept it and adapt to it, the easier it will become.
So what are you going to do today, other than talk with others, that takes you out of your comfort zone and that you can celebrate? Even if it is just getting through the day, that's worth celebrating. Then, look to tomorrow for the next exciting adventure. We've got this, together.
Let's talk!