We are in the middle of a pandemic. I’m sure that isn’t news to anyone. Many of us have lost our jobs or know someone who has. We don’t know how we are going to pay our bills. Or entertain our kids. And apart from leaving the house to get food and other essential supplies, we aren’t to leave our homes. Don’t see your friends, don’t visit family. Don’t do anything that you enjoy…
The message is - Do it for your country, do it for your grandparents, your elderly friends. Do your part. I understand and support that these steps are necessary- But it’s OK to not feel happy about the restrictions. Our lives, and everything that made them enjoyable has been stripped away from us.
And we are grieving. I know I am. Over last 5 days I have been staying up way later than I normally would, just to consume every piece of media that I can find relating to the Covid19 pandemic. I’m snapping at my kids. I’m eating everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. I’m not motivated to exercise. My sleep has been broken. I haven’t been able to focus on one thing at a time. I’m anxious and have been teary a lot.
And all of these things are OK. What we are facing isn’t something we could ever have been prepared for. And collectively, we need to give ourselves a break. It is OK to take time to grieve.
Grief is a natural response to loss. And we have all suffered loss in some way in the last week. There isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve. But we can follow these suggestions to help us on our journey to heal
1. Acknowledge your grief/pain
2. Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions
3. Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you
4. Seek out face-to-face support from people who care about you (video chat will be the best way to do this, unless you are living with someone who can fill this role).
5. Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically
6. Recognize the difference between grief and depression
It took me until yesterday to recognise how I was feeling. And now I’m committing to taking this new way of living one day at a time.
I will enjoy the sunlight outside when I can. I will read for enjoyment each day. And I’ll reach out to a friend each day.
Identify what you need to do to get through the next week, and take care of you.
Sending love xoxox
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