Today I want to share two things I think every person should be doing in these strange and difficult times. Read More »
In a matter of a couple of months, the world that we have all known and grown accustomed to has shifted. We are all learning to deal with a new normal, and wondering what the future may hold for the world. Some folks are able to use this time to dive into new creative projects, while others feel that this time is best spent in rest and solitude. There are very few wrong answers when it comes to dealing with a global crisis. Just please make sure you’re practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and being patient with your fellow humans. We’re all working through this together. Today I want to talk about the two simple things that every person should be doing during these strange and tumultuous times.
The number one thing people should be doing during these difficult times – practice patience with yourself. For an overwhelming number of people this crisis has shattered plans, cancelled vacations, halted major projects, and brought our lives to a halt. Now that the doors to everything in town are closed, and we’re staying home, it’s easy to get down on yourself. It’s easy to get disappointed in your perceived lack of “productivity” since we’ve grown so accustomed to living life at 4G LTE speeds.
Right now it is of vital importance that we learn to slow down, accept a pullback in productivity, and practice patience with ourselves. It is okay to take this time to relax, to rest, and to reset. It’s okay to take a mental vacation from the mess of the world. You do not have to force yourself to deny reality by maintaining some sense of productive output. Now, some folks are able to pursue different projects in this time – be it gardening, painting, writing, home improvement, etc. And that’s fantastic. I just want to remind you that it’s okay to rest. It’s okay to be busy as well. Just find what feels right.
The second thing that everyone should be doing during this time is celebrating your wins, big or small. The typical metrics by which we measure success are gone, or at least put on hold. Perhaps this is a good thing, because these are not metrics we should be using to measure our self-worth in the first place. Now is the time to learn to celebrate your wins internally, and to realize your success and self-worth comes from within you.
If you consider it a win to take a shower and get dressed, then that’s a win. It is a win if you consider it a win to read a chapter of a book. If you consider it a win to crush a workout and eat only fruit and vegetables for a whole week, then that’s a win too. What’s important is that you learn to recognize your struggles, and celebrate yourself when you overcome them.
We all have different things with which we wrestle. A win is a win, big or small. And you deserve to recognize yourself when you beat one of your demons. Some days, I consider it a win to go for a walk. It may sound ridiculous, but sometimes even something as simple as going for a walk feels like an obstacle. On these days, I make sure to go outside and take twenty minutes to walk around my neighborhood. Because I know it’s good for me, and because I deserve this win. So find what you struggle with, and show yourself love for overcoming.
I wish you health, safety, and security during these strange and troublesome times.