We are still in covid-time, and if you are living your best life, kudos and a raised glass! But for many of us, the raised glass isn't for a celebration. Many of us are struggling to feel safe, connected, meaningful, and strong. We turn to the tools at hand to feel better: alcohol, overwork, withdrawal, internet rabbit holes, etc. And your efforts may have the best intentions but probably won't help you feel better for very long.
First, let me say that the stresses are still real. So all those "healthy habits" are great ideas and you should keep on returning to them, but it's okay that they fail faster than a New Year's Resolution to lose 20 pounds by February. You may need to master beginnings again and again -- and this is normal so don't lose heart.
Just because the four walls still look the same doesn't mean all is well. The world is still a bit crazy and that can create a confusing disconnect. "I still have my job and my home so why am I such a mess???" See the cartoon above. I can't stress this enough: if you're doing well, let's celebrate, but most of us aren't really well. And it's okay not to be okay.
There isn't a magic bullet, but there are a few things that help. Bathe, brush your teeth, wear reasonably clean clothes. Move your body once. Do one thing that's meaningful and one thing that makes you laugh. Music is important. Eat one green food. Try to connect to a human. Leave the house every day. If you can't do these things every day, then do each one once a week. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that this is your first pandemic, so go easy on yourself.
Repeat.
You are worth the effort, no matter how difficult some days may seem. You are valuable and capable. The lessons are still emerging. The normal care and feeding of yourself may seem harder than ever. That's okay, just do the best you can.
Here are a few extra resources and reading. Be well.
February 2021