Surfing the Emotional Waves of Covid-19
Are you like the rest of us, riding the ebb and flow of emotion as Covid-19 moves from days to weeks to months? I am betting the answer is a resounding YES.
I am with you. Seemingly out of nowhere, I sometimes wake up and am instantly off my game. I get curious. “Hmmm”, I say to myself, “something isn’t right. I feel down. What’s that all about?” Then, like a private detective, I go on a treasure hunt, digging deep to the root of my feelings. Often, the underlying cause is obvious, requiring little effort to unearth. Other times, however, it is a surge of general malaise, a cumulative impact of everything going on around me. And let’s not forget fear, which can raise its ugly head too.
Then the questions bombard me. When will I see my 93-year-old mother, living three thousand miles away? Will I be able to help my kids when their new baby arrives in the coming months? Will my first book, into which I poured my heart, get published on time? Will I ever be able to experience a book tour? Will it be my turn to get sick? When will this craziness end?
I plunge into the rabbit hole, and on and on goes my monkey-brain. I allow myself to wallow in my private pity party. I have compassion for my fears and anxiety. I question why now and why these feelings? I welcome the luxury of expressing them all. I don’t judge or make any wrong.
Trust that all our feelings are welcomed visitors, here to tell us something. Stay curious.
I want to embrace my feelings and give them their day but then move through the discomfort of the emotions by asking specific questions.
What is my fear telling me?
What is the worst-case scenario?
What is the likelihood it will happen?
What will I do if it does happen?
When I become the observer, I dissect the feelings and change the outcome. In the role of observer, I can reinterpret what I am thinking. I examine my situation and distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. What is the best-case scenario? What are my options? I use my creativity to find new outlets and avenues and see the gifts in what is happening. My mood changes, which helps me spiral up instead of down. I become flexible. I see outside the box. I use gratitude throughout my day to infuse me with bursts of positivity. I ask for help and love and, when people help me, I can see the brighter side of things. I honor the space between what no longer is happening and what is to come. I take my time in this space. I get comfortable in not knowing. I breathe!
What I want you to remember is we all fall. The challenge is how long we stay down, which is where our responsibility to ourselves lies. It is a choice we make. You may need to set boundaries to control and monitor whatever is making you feel bad or worried. For example, you may need to:
stop social media
stop listening to the news
stop listening to everyone discuss Covid-19
start more self-care
start more mindfulness
To recap, welcome all your feelings without judgment. Have compassion for yourself and the rise and fall of your feelings. Allow yourself a little pity party, put on your big girl (boy) pants, and move on.
The getting up and moving on is a choice you make.
Make it.
If you need support, I am here for you. We are in his together. Everyone needs support. You can email me: at nancy@nncypickardlifecoach.com or set up a free discovery session at: https://calendly.com/nancy-66/coaching-session
Nancy