Inspired by Jenna
May you live in interesting times.
Chinese Curse
Things are not good, but we have to keep going. Reminding ourselves of a few things can be helpful. Here’s eleven things we need to remember in a pandemic.
- This too shall pass. Nothing is forever. The only constant is change. We aren’t the first to live through a rough time. We won’t be the last. Things will get better. They will.
- You are not alone. The whole world is right here with you. Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean social isolation. You can reach out. And if you’re doing okay, check on those you love who may not be.
- Kindness matters. Right now radical kindness and radical love are what will help us get through. There are neighbors helping neighbors, and people reaching out to others. Curtailing our regular lives to help save the lives of others is an act of radical love particularly because it’s hard. Look for the helpers.
- Look for the good. There is always something to be learned from adversity. We’re learning a lot about ourselves and our society right now, what works and what doesn’t. They’re not easy lessons, but they are essential.
- If you can’t find the good, make it. We’re seeing the cracks in our systems, the poison in some of our collective values. Going forward we have the opportunity to fix it, to make change. It’s time to examine your values, and champion politics and policies that align with them.
- People > Money. Always. Every day. In every way. Money is social construct, people are not. Adjust accordingly.
- It’s okay to feel what you feel. Feelings are, full stop. If you’re okay (truly okay, not faking it), that’s okay. You’re in a great position to support those who are not okay. If you’re struggling, that’s okay too. Give yourself grace. There’s no right way to feel about this—it’s uncharted territory for most of us, and it’s traumatic. Sit with what you feel and try to find healthy ways to cope. There’s a lot of info out there to help you.
- Science matters. It just does. Pay attention to it.
- Be productive if you feel productive, but don’t feel like you have to be. Everyone is going to respond differently to this, and I think it’s going to force us all to examine our lives a little more closely. Perhaps our reactions to this coincide with what we really need more of, be it rest or time to do things that are important to us, to learn, to grow, to create. Find the lesson here somewhere if you can and use it make your life better going forward.
- There’s so much that doesn’t matter. So much that seemed important doesn’t anymore, have you noticed that? Sit with that for a while, and adjust accordingly.
- What actually does matter is becoming clearer. Sit with that for a while, and adjust accordingly.
Helping makes you feel less powerless—here are some ways you can make a difference:
Feeding America
C19 Help Squad (Mutual Aid)
Direct Relief
Mental Health Resources:
Mental Health America
COVID-19 Mental Health Hub
Financial Help:
Where To Find Financial Relief – The Simple Dollar
United Way COVID-19 Community Response Fund
C19 Help Squad (Mutual Aid)
