Nothing is normal. Everything is changing so fast. Confusion and conflicting reports are everywhere. “2020” has become the catch phrase for chaos and the explanation for whatever is weirdness comes our way. Life feels both on pause and fast-forward at the same time and feeling edgy has become the new normal. Covid-Life.
While pandemics are a regular occurrence in history, there is no one on the planet who has first-hand adult memories of the last one. We are all trying to figure this out on our own. That we have technology today that provides us with real-time updates and ways to connect across long distances is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing in that we are able to reach out; curse in that it is increasingly difficult to maintain a sense of stability when overloaded with external input.
So what to do? I’ve been feeling far more stressed than normal – and over things that usually would not even register on my radar. I don’t like it and have been making some changes. Lucy Hone has a great TEDx talk called “The Three Secrets of Resilient People” – you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=NWH8N-BvhAw&feature=emb_logo .
Hone proposes a profound question when it comes to getting though difficult times, “Is this helping me or harming me?” Asking this for myself led me to some helpful tips for thriving during Covid-Life:
- Manage expectations – Everything takes longer than expected and most days it feels like even the smallest task is just plain hard. Resetting expectations of how much really needs to be done, and leaving gaps in the schedule to allow for more time reduces stress. The goal is to do less better.
- Prioritize – Doing less doesn’t mean giving up. Getting stuff done gives a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. We feel better when we are productive. The key is to be productive at the most important things. Focus attention on one task at a time and let go of the fantasy of multi-tasking.
- Know that you are not alone! – These are weird times to say the least and everyone is dealing with the added stress. Be kind to yourself. Celebrate small wins. Reach out to those that support you and with whom you can find some comic relief. Get real about your struggles – find a therapist, pastoral counselor, or spiritual director to help you work through all the emotions. We are all in this together and together we will get through it.
Covid-Life looks like it will be here for while. Go ahead, make the shift from adapting to a temporary situation to thriving in a new environment. When you can roll with the punches of a pandemic, the world will be your oyster once it is past!
– By Katherine Hunter
Katherine Hunter is an Associate MFT at The Clinebell Institute and Pastor at Chapel of the Hills United Methodist Church in Descanso, CA.
