COVID-19
I am not proud of the fact that it has taken a global pandemic for me to sit down and write something on my blog, but here we are. We have been navigating an overwhelming amount of information surrounding the Covid-19 virus over the past few weeks, and like all of us it has been at the forefront of my mind.
Here are a few of my thoughts on it as I try (and fail, and try again) to make sense of the goings on around me.
The other day I found myself receding to the outer parameters of a public space and it made me think about a psychology-based article I read years ago. It talked about how we, as humans are created with a deep-seated need for human connection, and one of the things we fear most in life is isolation.
Fear is a powerful thing. Fear gains even more power when it teams up with it’s lethal partner: the unknown. Together, this duo takes us down at the knees and drags us to a dark place full of helplessness and unease. Now, add loss of control, compromised security and social distancing into the mix and you find yourself desperately trying to navigate your way through a counter-intuitive phenomenon. It is confusing and surreal and no one has any concrete answers.
The world is currently in a state of paralysis. However, as I say that, I am well aware that although everything seems to be shutting down, the human population finds itself in a state of heightened awareness, itching to do anything but remain confined and inactive. The enigmatic reality we are currently existing in is unlike anything we have experienced before, and it is tossing us around in a riptide of information as we search for solid ground to find our footing.
It is bizarre to realize that we are living through something that will leave an impact on history. Not only are we hearing about it, but we are all directly and indirectly involved as parts of a mass movement attempting to combat Covid-19. We have no other choice and we have all been served a responsibility to commit to it.
In times of emergency/danger, the two typical human responses are fight or flight, and here we are demonstrated yet another anomaly. I believe we are responding in both ways as we struggle to make sense of the impending reality of Covid-19. Although drastic measures and precautionary actions being enforced in a matter of days has lead humankind to a state of panic and urgency (flight), we are also standing together as a united front with the shared goal of flattening the curve of this virus (fight).
It is hard to make sense of the human reaction to stock up on whatever we can get our hands on, selfishly accumulating as much as possible and not thinking about others. However, I understand that the correlation between control and feeling safe is inherent and we all want to feel like we are proactively doing what we can to protect ourselves and the ones we love. I hope that we can separate ourselves from the panic and strive to live altruistically amidst the unsteady times that may lie ahead.
As someone who finds human behaviour so fascinating, it is perplexing to witness so many of our instinctual behaviours surfacing as we attempt to maneuver the wide range of emotions present at this time. As I said earlier, we are in uncharted territory and everyone will respond and deal with the changing times differently. Keep this in mind, and proceed with patience, grace and love — we’re all in this together.
There are two sides to every coin, and I am holding on tightly to the comfort found in the positive takeaways that are embedded in the negative aspects of this virus. Here are a few:
The world is in a state of emergency…BUT look how rapidly and purposefully we have joined together to do whatever we possibly can to stay informed, inform others and take action.
The media is overloaded with Covid-19 talk, which can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing…BUT without social media and technological advancements where they are at today, information would take much longer to spread and therefore take much longer for us to spring into action.
Everything is being closed down, which is compromising our daily routines, resulting in nationwide concern and inconvenience…BUT the best and most efficient way to contain and end this fearful time is to put extreme measures in place so we can put an end to this altogether.
Amidst the tension, there is beauty around us and I hope that you can be reminded of this when you feel saturated in uncertainty. Life is continuing on, and we need to remember that although we are isolating ourselves, our lives do not need to screech to a halt. We are here and we are breathing, and that is not something to take for granted. Stay mindful and aware and go forward with accountability as we respond to this impending storm.
Remember that it is okay to be scared.
It is okay to feel unsettled.
It is okay to feel yourself tiptoeing along the faint line that separates rational and irrational thoughts. This is exactly why we are in this together, affected in more ways than we initially may realize. It can be difficult to manage your fear during times like these, and it can feel hopeless in the moments where the amount of unanswered inquiries outweigh concrete information — but right now we are in a transitional period when we need to adjust to a new normal, however long it may last. Fighting the inevitable changes that are occurring will hinder you (and the world) more than it will help.
All I ask is that we don’t lose sight of what makes us human. Do not let the fear cripple you or keep you from feeling the things that are essential to being alive. Smile today. Laugh. Spread love and positivity. Experience the sunshine and fresh air and stay physically active. Do not feel guilty about doing what you need to do to give yourself a mental break once in awhile too. This by no means making light of the situation, but I cannot stress enough that we need to hold on to the joy we find as we approach the instability of the near future. When it feels like too much, have the strength not to be strong. Lean on others. Take a deep breath.
The earth is spinning on a paradoxical axis — one of which consists of complete standstill and utmost urgency. We are doing our best to figure it out, and right now our best is good enough. It is all we can do. And amidst it all, there is endless and abundant beauty. Now, more than ever we need to search for it, cling tightly to it. Resist the urge to turn your back or lose hope in the place that has so resiliently harbored your existence up until now. It will continue to do so. We will get through this. Fight the temptation to dehumanize others or make them feel alienated. Find your footing in what we do know, including a truth I feel should take precedence: you are not in this alone.
We will remain connected to others, even when we feel as though we are not. Focus on the facets that are in your control and try your best not to dwell on what is not. Here we are, together and apart taking this one day at a time.
Stay well, my friends.
A