Normal has changed. These are unique times and we’re all being encouraged to keep a social distance, to lockdown and self-isolate as best we can. Where we would think nothing of calling up friends and family to catch up or go out to the movies, play sport or go shopping, these options have now been limited only to what is essential. Easter is coming up and the Royal Easter Show is called off. Easter services will not be attended and Easter celebrations with friends and family will be a good deal smaller.
People are feeling anxious, worried, fearful or just in denial. Our lives are no longer the normal we have known them to be and require us to shrink our lives into our residential boundary. That time you wished you could have to spend with the kids or with a significant other or even just by yourself is now available in a way you may now find will become a struggle. Any relational difficulties that might have been hidden will now begin to come out from under the carpet and need to be confronted.
Your routine and sense of self and the world is not what it has normally been and a new normal will need to be formed – at least for the next 3-6 months. Uncertainty and sudden change on a global scale is scary. The global scale of impact and what is happening to those with COVID-19 is frightening. At this time, it’s important to respect the importance of what is going on and being put in place to protect everyone but to not become too overwhelmed, or feel too fearful. Do what you can to form a new routine and create a new normal way of being for this time – try to be creative. If you find yourself constantly feeding your panic by looking at social media and the news, then take a step back. There is much out there is misinformation and will only feed your sense of fear. Find a way to stay calm and to keep in touch by phone or technology with those around you and support each other.
If you need therapeutic support, I will be offering sessions remotely via FaceTime, Zoom, Skype – or whichever technology you are most familiar/comfortable with. These times are not normal but together we can all get through this.
