Endurance during the Coronavirus, Week 6 Blog
In New York we were told this weekend that we will continue to social distance until May 31st, at which time they will reassess. We’re in this for the long haul. It is redefining the way we care for one another, the way we grieve, the manner in which we hope.
This past week the sadness of the many losses, and the buzz of shared anxiety took its toll. I make regular mistakes, but this past week my mind was mush, and the mistakes and forgetfulness hit a new high. Or is it a new low?
We are all doing our best to adjust to continued uncertainty. But it’s wearing on us. I zig right to maintain social distancing on one side, while a young couple side-by-side almost touch me as they stroll past me to my right. I watched an SUV pull out of a spot today scraping the car behind and zoom off while the driver is looking at me looking at her. It bothered me much more than witnessing something like that in the past. Gone is my calm resolve.
I notice I’m zoned out when I need to be resting. My ability to soothe myself is limited. Years of yoga and meditation seem like memories, even as I practice daily at home or in my office. There is a wear and tear to living through this pandemic. I can feel it in my achy limbs.
And, yet, I also know it may have been a hard weekend, a bad morning, but it will pass. There are moments of grace time and time again. So many are inspiring us with their generosity and good will. So many are risking their lives to provide the rest of us with so much more than I could ever have hoped for at a time like this in our history. The 7 PM cheering brings me to tears, as I share in the celebration of our essential workers. Even stopping to write this allows me to release my stress and appreciate you for reading this. So, thank you for making a difference to me. I needed it today as we enter our sixth week of Social Distancing.
We will endure together in spirit, one small step at a time. Be safe. And may you stay well and/or heal well.
Small Exercises for Self-Care
*Ask for help. Yes, we are isolated to a point, but asking for help means we are open to connecting
*Put it into words. Writing, journaling, or recording our thoughts takes it out of our head giving us the ability to see how finite our upset is
*Self hugs or rubbing your hand or parts of your body to soothe yourself may not be a substitute for human touch from another, but it is a kindness we can give to ourselves
*Change up your routine. Sometimes something as simple as walking on a different block, or washing your hands in the kitchen rather than the bathroom can shift the way we see things.
