The world right now is absolutely crazy. I wake up in the morning, and I honestly can’t believe that this is all truly happening. It’s terrifying, frightening, and it sure as hell has given my anxiety a run for its money.
I’m not even an essential worker. I’m nowhere near one of the inspiring heroes on the frontlines battling this crisis head-on; I can’t even begin to fathom what a day in their life must look like or how torn apart they must be feeling.
I do know, however, that I speak for everyone in the world right now when I say that the uncertainty and question of “What if?” is ravaging through our brains at the moment.
What if I get COVID?
What if my Mom or my grandpa or someone I love gets this virus?
What if I lose my job?
What if I can’t get a job when this is all over? What if I can’t provide for my family?
What if I can’t go back to school in the fall?
These “what if” questions are endless. They present themselves in various shapes and sizes, and it’s what keeps all of us up at night tossing and turning.
This mindset is normal given the circumstances our world is currently in, but the power of succumbing to these horrors is too intense and not slightly productive.
It’s okay to worry and fear. In all honesty, fear is necessary to take these precautions and this pandemic as a whole more seriously. Because it is serious, and it is really happening.
As the virus continues to spread faster and further across state lines and into the lives of more people we know, – or us ourselves – it’s likely that these fears will only grow more rapidly.
Rather than crumble underneath the anxiety and uncertainty of it all, however, focus on one day at a time. It’s the only way to move forward. Be productive in your actions and thoughts, and, for the love of God, stay the f%^& home.
For now, follow the rules. Wear a mask and gloves when you need to go out for essential items and stay six feet apart from others. Keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes around at all times. Set up a cute work-from-home desk and get into a routine that feels somewhat ‘normal.’ Go for walks or do an online happy hour with your coworkers or a virtual game night with your best friends.
Support local businesses in a safe manner and donate supplies or money – if you’re able – to our heroes out on the frontlines who face this intensity with such grace every day.
Focus on the positivity in the headlines that discuss steps toward a vaccine and more testing for everyone. It’s easy for the media to instill fear, and, while it can be necessary, fear sometimes can be derived and exacerbated from false claims. So, focus on what you know to be truthful.
Stop setting an expectation that this wall all be over by June or July or August. Having a specific end date in mind is only going to be more crushing when the time comes and things are still not back to ‘normal.’ Because in all honesty, things won’t ever be fully back to normal, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Instead, know that if our country can unite together as one entity rather than 50 states fighting this separately, if we can focus on compassion, gratitude, and respect rather than arrogance, we can indeed beat this together and come out stronger than ever before.
It’s okay to be scared. I know I’m scared. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel, and it’s up to each individual’s collective efforts to reach it. We will get there.
For now, stay calm, stay safe, and stay inside.