One of the weird things about the Pandemic has been the (often overused term) “the new normal”. The new normal, for many, has been a combination of the positive, enforced time for reflection and growth, and the, similarly enforced, routine of staying indoors, increasing isolation from our fellow man.
Now that restrictions are loosening up what has resulted, for many of us, is a kind of Pandemic PTSD. Pandemic PTSD is when you go out, for the first, second, or five thousandth time and do things that, before the pandemic, were normal. Post-pandemic, they feel out of sorts.
Like shopping in a store. Or having dinner with friends. Or even seeing some of your friends.
It can feel…well…awkward, to say the least.
How do I act? Do I wear a mask? How close do I get? Is it ok to hug? Do they feel ok to hug me?
It’s weird. And can lead to emotions anywhere on the scale of I’m so excited I finally get to talk to someone I haven’t seen in ages! to Holy crap is this what it feels like to talk to someone. I don’t know what to say, I haven’t talked to anyone in ages.
It’s enough to drive a girl to drink.
But here’s the spiritual truth for me, I don’t have to have all of the answers. In fact, that is outside of my job description.
I just have to do the next right thing presented in front of me. To be in the now. To appreciate the trees, or breeze, or sunshine, or friend that’s right in front of me, and do the very best I can in this moment.
If the pandemic has proven anything without a doubt, it has proven there is doubt in everything. That there are no perfect right answers. And that all we can do is the best we can. Surrendering the rest to what our best selves will bring us to next. The lessons we are meant to learn.
So it’s OK to have Pandemic PTSD. It’s ok to feel awkward, or hesitant, or scared. Do what you can today. Even if it’s only 2 minutes of putting yourself out there. Do what you can, try to enjoy what you feel comfortable doing, and leave the rest. In fact, rest in the fact that you are being divinely led to exactly where you need to be today.
Namaste dear friends-you are doing GREAT!
Michelle Maros, from Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, has 5 great tips for Managing post-pandemic Anxiety:
1. Go at your own pace
2. Your boundaries are valid
3. Release comparison to others boundaries
4. Honor your feelings
5. Communicate your needs clearly
I highly suggest reading her entire blog here: https://peacefulmindpeacefullife.org/5-tips-for-managing-post-pandemic-anxiety/