The New Normal
I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday... and I'm sure it won't be the last. For me it's a combination of just the overall "what's going to happen" anxiety and "what happens if I get sick". Being a single person living alone, the fear of getting sick is real. I cried myself to sleep last night almost too scared to actually sleep.
But I was thinking this morning, isn't this just our lives for the time being? This is the new normal. This is where we are as a society now. On a conference call this morning, we were informed that working from home will most likely be in place through the end of April. Somehow, it was that one statement that made me just step back and think, "Ok, now what?" I just have to switch my thinking, right? Adjust my coping mechanisms to deal with this new normal.
The anxiety really isn't going to go away. The random crying and agitation isn't going anywhere either. So how do I learn to cope with the new way of living? The same way I've gotten through everything else in my life... just keep going. If I have days where I can't get out of bed, then I have days where I can't get out of bed. If I'm feeling good and clean the apartment, than that's good too. This apartment, these 600 square feet, are my world now... which is more than a lot of people can say.
As anxious and depressed as I am, I have a lot to be grateful for. I still have a job, I have a home, I can pay my bills and feed myself. There are so many right now who just... can't. Yes things are getting put in place to help people, but it's definitely a scary time. I'm actually one of the lucky ones... if there even is such a thing now.
The situation sucks. There's no better way to put it. It's scary and real and we all need to do our part to take care of ourselves and look out for others. If you have someone you haven't heard from recently, pick up the phone and call. Jump on a video chat or send a text message. You never know what anyone else is going through right now. Sometimes a quick picture of a pet or a funny meme is all someone needs to brighten their day. But at the same time, if someone says they're not up for a chat or don't answer your text, don't be upset with them. Understand that everyone is coping in their own way.
So to all reading this, please stay safe and be well. We'll all have one big giant group hug when this is all over.
- Danielle
But I was thinking this morning, isn't this just our lives for the time being? This is the new normal. This is where we are as a society now. On a conference call this morning, we were informed that working from home will most likely be in place through the end of April. Somehow, it was that one statement that made me just step back and think, "Ok, now what?" I just have to switch my thinking, right? Adjust my coping mechanisms to deal with this new normal.
The anxiety really isn't going to go away. The random crying and agitation isn't going anywhere either. So how do I learn to cope with the new way of living? The same way I've gotten through everything else in my life... just keep going. If I have days where I can't get out of bed, then I have days where I can't get out of bed. If I'm feeling good and clean the apartment, than that's good too. This apartment, these 600 square feet, are my world now... which is more than a lot of people can say.
As anxious and depressed as I am, I have a lot to be grateful for. I still have a job, I have a home, I can pay my bills and feed myself. There are so many right now who just... can't. Yes things are getting put in place to help people, but it's definitely a scary time. I'm actually one of the lucky ones... if there even is such a thing now.
The situation sucks. There's no better way to put it. It's scary and real and we all need to do our part to take care of ourselves and look out for others. If you have someone you haven't heard from recently, pick up the phone and call. Jump on a video chat or send a text message. You never know what anyone else is going through right now. Sometimes a quick picture of a pet or a funny meme is all someone needs to brighten their day. But at the same time, if someone says they're not up for a chat or don't answer your text, don't be upset with them. Understand that everyone is coping in their own way.
So to all reading this, please stay safe and be well. We'll all have one big giant group hug when this is all over.
- Danielle
