Living through a pandemic is different for each of us. Your feelings are neither right nor wrong. They just are. It’s ok to talk about and share your feelings. Acknowledging your feelings is essential to your well being. Below are a few feelings that you may be able to relate to. It’s not all doom or gloom.
How you may be feeling:
- Adaptable You feel that you can roll with whatever happens.
- Anxious, afraid, or feeling a bit of panic that this fall may cause an increase in infections. Or that someone you care about may now be put in harm’s way when they weren’t before.
- Angry or feeling frustrated that some people may not be following the pandemic health rules. Or that the measures in place aren’t enough. Or that you have to look after so many people, your children, your parents, your siblings, others and you may have to work too. Where is the time for you?
- Brave You know that you have what it takes to deal with a crisis.
- Courageous doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid, but that you have the capacity to see clearly and self soothe. It takes courage to be with things the way they are. You feel courage.
- Conflicted You want to socialize more, but feel that you should still stay at home.
- Confident that you have the coping skills to assist you during this time.
- Distrustful of how the government is handling all the guidelines and rules or how things are being portrayed in the media.
- Determined to live in the present and move forward towards your goals.
- Grief for a multitude of reasons.
- Grateful for so many small things.
- Happy you are surrounded by positive people either virtually or face to face.
- Hopeful You acknowledge that the virus is serious, but you will get through this pandemic in the best way possible.
- Loved by your family. So happy you have them to support you.
- Powerless like you don’t have any control or say in anything that’s happening.
- Protective of your routine you do not want to deal with any more change or uncertainty.
- Positive You get up every day and make the best of your life in a pandemic.
- Reluctant to rearrange events like celebrations, get-togethers, parties that couldn’t happen during the pandemic
- Realistic You know that this pandemic isn’t easy, but feel self-assured you have what it takes to get through it.
- Uneasy about some of your relationships that have changed during the pandemic.
- Useful You feel like you have been able to contribute in a positive way during this pandemic.
- Stigmatized or that others may avoid you You may have already had coronavirus, or others think what you do makes you more likely to spread the virus.
- Secure and safe You know people are around you that support and help you.
- Stressed about a lot of things like …
- Under pressure to return to school/work when you can’t, or when you feel it’s not safe to.
- Unsupported You may be asked to go back to school/work without having access to things like personal protective equipment (PPE), or feelings of safety and security.
- Understood You have people who listen to your concerns.
- Valued Most people respect how you are dealing with the pandemic.
What other feelings are you feeling ? Acknowledge them and share with a trusted confidant. You can also check out some strategies to help here.
Your feelings are important. Each child, teen and adult will react differently based on numerous factors. My hope is that no matter what happens you have the supports and coping skills to overcome whatever challenges come your way, it starts with acknowledging your true feelings.
Life is not all doom and gloom in a pandemic.
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