In a world where we are all ten feet deep in FFTs, how do we cope with running into a million road blocks?
Where I am located in the US, we have just surpassed a year of pandemic times. That means that we have been in a completely new world with completely new ways of navigating it for longer than we typically have to handle a fight or flight response—which is exactly what the collective world has been doing all this time.
So, how do we step back into "normal" functioning without endangering ourselves and others in these continuously tumultuous times?
I'll be honest and say that I think if anyone truly had the answer to this question, we would have had wide-spread implementation by now, but here are some things that have helped me get back into a little bit of a normal flow:
– Build a safety group of certain loved ones that you can visit and get hugs from (the physical touch is the key here)
– Go for socially distanced walks and soak up the sun (we've been super fortunate with this weather)
– Do some different creative expressions than your normal outlet (painting instead of writing or photography, etc.)
– Meditate and/or pray
– Open the windows and let in some fresh air (or go out into the fresh air if it's still too cold)
– Play a game
– Turn on a dance video on Youtube and learn some new moves (or play Just Dance)
– Laugh. A. Lot.
– Keep a journal/diary
– Call your loved ones and ask for help (but don't be surprised if the other person has limited capacity to help you. We are all working at a lower energy level right now)
Something important to note about these is that everyone has hit at least one energetic wall in the past year. We are a social species, and even the most introverted of us are missing our friends and loved ones. We need each other to survive.
Your ability to find joy and gratitude will directly correlate to a positive uptick in your energy levels. My roommates and I make a point to play Mario together. I know people who have started mentoring their younger neighbors in disciplines they're passionate about. Some people are taking the time to cultivate hobbies they wouldn't typically have time for like keeping pets and houseplants or refurbishing antique furniture.
Whatever you do, be kind to yourself. The more you can feed your energy levels, the more likely it is that you will be able to focus on and complete projects that are important to you, like writing your books or doing your workout for the day.
I will be honest with you and tell you that just recently, I hit my own energetic wall. I know it had a lot to do with the fact that I have been mourning since early last month, but I learned a lot about what was happening to me through the process.
I recognized that there is something to be said about grieving in silence. It is such an enormous emotion set that it's one of the few experiences people live that they have an innate desire to have others witness their grieving. Everyone wants to be validated and have their search for meaning recognized.
And in some way, we are all going through this right now. Maybe we aren't grieving a person but a way of life, a routine, a job, normalcy. If you have the capacity, ask others what percentage they are functioning from. If it's less than yours, see if you can't help them. If it's more than, ask if they have the capacity to help you.
All in all, though we are better off than we were last year—in terms of having that much time to learn how to exist in this space—it's no secret that we are not out of the woods, yet.
Be kind to yourselves, be kind to others, and do anything you can to have fun and bring just a little bit more joy into your lives. You might just be a little bit better off for it.
#BeKind #HelpEachOther #NotOutOfTheWoods #TheNewNormal #ChangeIsHard #AYearInQuarantine #ValidateYourEmotions #FindSomeJoy #GlobalCommunity
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Lexi Mohney is a human being working on bettering her life and the lives of other human beings, too. There is no better time than the present to make a connection or two and share in what it means to be a part of this global community and foster hope in every way we can. Here's to a more united future for us all. On professional terms, Lexi is an award-winning author, a book coach who has taken her clients to the bestseller list, and a publisher. You can find her work in the shop or on Amazon.com. Please reach out to her with any questions you have about writing or the publishing world. She would love to hear from you!
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