I know that we are all facing what seems like insurmountable challenges...I see the news like all of you...I track the same social media posts...I hear the cries of my neighbors children as parents frantically learn how to be teacher, employee, student and housekeeper all at the same time...I give wider girth to people I pass by saddened by the thought that maybe that person needs a hug...all while regularly washing my hands to the point where I am now running out of hand lotion, instead of toilet paper. We are all learning to be in this new world- in this new place that has created invisible boundaries from the monster that could lurk on a doorknob. This monster has created fear...frustration and in some cases, complete breakdown and death. Yes...it's real. Yes...it can harm and yes...you should be concerned about it...however...that doesn't mean you cannot beat it.
Right now, I'm thinking about my clinical practice and when I've had to work with people that experience real fear about any number of things. Heights, snakes, spiders, other people, agoraphobia, car backfires....in clinical practice, the goal is NEVER to make them less afraid of these things...never...and certainly it isn't possible to remove these things from a person's life entirely...but the goal in therapy is to make the person...not less afraid...but more courageous then their fear. We don't "lower" the fear...we teach them to elevate above the monster they fear with courage, despite their fear.
So what is my hope for you? To practice courage and rise above the monster. Don't let "perfect" be the enemy to "good enough". You all are doing what you need to survive and get through this trying time. Focus on what matters...your health and the health of your family. Done. If you focus on that, everything else will fall into place as it should.
Each one of you have made the journey this far...each one of you have made it to this point...you have come too far to let the monster take you down. You all know how to survive, you all are already powerful...don't let the monster make you forget that- don't let it make you forget who you are. What you have overcome...how far your journey has been...and how much further you expect to go will NOT be dictated by something other than you.
Last part, focus on a few things...
Do you! Keep yourself healthy. Give yourself a break from needing to be perfect. Focus on diet, exercise, sleep and cozy pajama bottoms (with a button shirt on top for video calls 😉)
Do your part! Wash up after yourselves, don't hoard, ask a neighbor if they need something that you can pick up and leave at their door for them.
Do connect! We need one another. Reach out and ask for help, if you need it. Call everyone, family, friends, old flames (maybe not that one), professors, co-workers and colleagues. Find new ways to connect and play games, watch movies or simply read a book with one another.
Oh...and practice compassion. Yes, with yourself, but also with those around you.
We're all in this together.