It’s only April, but what a year this has been!
Whether you’re in Spain, Japan, or even Oregon, everyone is feeling the dramatic effects of the Coronavirus. I think it’s safe to say that most of us could not have predicted the magnitude this has had on our personal and professional lives.
Here are some of the feelings you might be experiencing during these unpredictable times:
- Loss of purpose – We are creatures of habit. On a normal day we can typically outline our routine, anticipate the people we’ll see, what we might eat for dinner, etc. With the Coronavirus situation, routines are being totally shaken up. Jobs are lost, social structures are broken, activities are postponed for an unforeseen time.
When you’re at home it’s important to keep some semblance of your regular routine, whether that means making your coffee first thing in the morning or going on your evening jog. Having structure in place will help when things start to return to normal.
- Stagnation and uncertainty during quarantine – While many people have the luxury of staying in their homes, thousands of digital nomads have faced the difficult decision to either hunker down in their travels or return to their passport country. Many of which do not have a home to return to. With travel bans in place and flights constantly being canceled, the fear of displacement is very real amongst the traveling community. If you are overseas and need to repatriate home, please contact your local embassy or consulate for the latest travel information. In many cases, governments are still sending out planes to retrieve citizens stuck abroad.
- Loneliness and isolation – While loneliness has been a global issue prior to COVID-19, quarantine can exacerbate these feelings. Even though it can feel like we’re disconnected, it’s important to remember that millions of people in the world are also doing the same thing in order to maintain their health and safety, as well as not overwhelming hospitals. Thankfully with the help of the internet, we can stay in contact with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Great socializing tools include social video games, having watch parties with friends, even karaoke with strangers!
- Anxiety – Between the constant stream of news and fear-inducing headlines, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the information overload. It’s crucial to remain informed and vigilant but don’t let it consume every waking moment.
In the U.S. alone, some mental health hotlines have seen a spike as high as 891% in calls. Limiting caffeine may help reduce anxiety. Documenting your feelings (e.g. journaling) during this time can help you process your thoughts and help you reflect on past experiences. Don’t skimp out on selfcare! Now is more important than ever to be kind to yourself, take deep breaths, and do the things you love inside the comfort of your home. We cannot control the actions of others, but we can do our best to wash our hands, take care of ourselves, and remain calm. I recently saw a great quote that said, “You are not stuck inside, you are SAFE inside” and it’s been a helpful mantra to put things into perspective.
- Helplessness – Even though we are self-quarantining to “flatten the curve”, it can be easy to forget the purpose of why we’re doing it, especially when health statistics are looking grimmer by the day. However, having plans to look forward to can help mitigate helplessness. There will be a time when Coronavirus restrictions will be lifted and we can be reunited with our loved ones again.
Take this time to focus on you and strategize your next steps so you can become your best self.
Lastly, there is no shame in seeking help during this time.
It’s important to have a support system in place even while social distancing. Join our FREE exclusive Facebook group. If you’d like to speak with me privately, please don’t hesitate to contact me HERE. All first consultation calls are free of charge to you 🙂
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