A friend of mine shared an article with me a couple days ago, and I have found it most helpful: 7 emotional stages we will go through during lockdown ( https://www.cntraveller.in/story/7-emotional-stages-lockdown-coronavirus-india/ ). Let me share some thoughts with you... Bhavna Bharvani explained that we will most likely experience the following during this period of lockdown: Optimism : This is going to be great. I can finally get to all the side-projects I’ve been wanting to work on, or improve a certain skill, pick up that hobby Determination : When you can feel that you’re less positive about self-isolation, but you’re determined to keep going and stick to your routine and have a schedule to help you manage the situation. Satisfaction and frustration : You’ll experience times when you’re more productive, and times that you’re less productive, and alternate between moments of satisfaction and periods of frustration. Depression : When you start struggling and feeling, “this is hard”. Boredom might settle in. Your routine or lack of routine might not be working for you anymore. You might experience restlessness that makes it difficult to concentrate. You miss going out and seeing friends and loved ones. You might feel demotivated, hopeless, or feel a sense of despair. Anger : You might experience anger about the situation, the confinement, and get easily irritated by others in your household. Acceptance : When you accept the situation for what it is and carry on doing whatever is in your control and letting go of what is not in your control. Making meaning : Remembering that this move to self-isolate is necessary and that you’re serving humanity and the greater good to help prevent more sickness and death. I can identify with this! At first I was optimist about this lockdown time. I was determined that this was going to be a good 21-day challenge where I could get to what needs to be done, develop healthy habits, etc. However, on day 6 of Lockdown I find that the optimism and determination I had are slowly fading into the distance...and I am very much aware of the feelings that will follow. Maybe I'm experiencing a bit of cabin fever too. As Bharvani sugggested, I have tried to stick to my normal daily routine. I am taking care that boundaries between work, home chores and pleasure are in place. I am consciously not reading or watching too many news reports. When frustration, depression and anger or whatever other emotions become more present in my life I need a plan of action! I need to get a handle on those emotions by acknowledging them, taking time to pause and remember that God is ultimately in control of every thing. There are things I can control (my thoughts, actions, coping mechanisms, diet, exercise, conversations, etc.) and then are things that I need to trust God for (so many things!!! today I need to trust Him for peace). I am grateful that I have loving and caring family around me and friends that are a whatapp message or call away. We can survive this lockdown! Let's remember to encourage each other along the way 😊
