While this is a blog focused on being your best self at work, right now it feels important to spend some time on the bigger picture… what we are all experiencing, which is like nothing we have ever seen.
It’s all OK. Whatever we are feeling or experiencing now is OK. That’s the theme of this time for me at the moment. We are all reacting in different ways to this situation and have our own ways of coping. It’s fine to let it all be weird for a while.
In the first few days of the lockdown, I saw so many hints and tips on social media about how to cope with X, Y and Z about the new situation. It was great to start with, and then overwhelming. It’s wonderful that people are wanting to help each other, but at the same time, no simple list of do’s or don’ts is going to solve this for us. A barrage of positivity and optimism jars for me right now.
What matters is giving myself space to feel what I am feeling – a random mix of emotions from fear and anxiety to curiosity to gratitude – and let it all be OK. If we suppress feelings, they tend to come out later on in other more distressing ways, so acknowledging our emotions is healthy. Yes, we will come through this and there will be lots of good things that emerge as a result, I have no doubt about that. For now, it is weird and I for one am still adjusting.
As I go through this phase, here are a few things I am noticing helping me:
– doing ‘ordinary work’ – coaching – which feels good and familiar, reminding me of what life is usually like
– having a structure in the day
– eating nice food as much as possible
– keeping my prayer time and quiet times going
– getting outside – my morning walk on the seafront has become especially precious
– limiting time on social media
– connecting with others on Zoom, phone and email – virtual dinners are fun!
– laughing
We will get through it one day, but for now, we can let it all be weird.
This wonderful poem has been doing the rounds – if you haven’t seen it already, you might find it speaks to you. It’s by Kitty O’Meara.
And the people stayed home.
And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.
Some met their shadows.
And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
Sending you positive vibes and prayers for you and those you love,
Catherine
