Articles

An unprecedented crisis - now what?

The crisis we currently experience is an unprecedented distressing condition for us all.

Who would imagine that there would come a time, when we would experience what we used to watch in movies?

We have to stay home, find ways to become flexible as far as our jobs are concerned or accept that for the time being we are without a job and miss our beloved ones, along with outdoor activities that are meaningful to us.

It is for our benefit, surely, but it is a struggle as well.

We find ourselves in a vulnerable position and our psychological resilience is tested.

We have to pause in this race that is our life and we find ourselves abruptly and unwillingly with so much free time in our hands that we don’t know what to do with it – since it’s not a vacation.

I understand that this is uneasy for you, my friend.

And it is ok if you feel anxious, scared, angry or upset, sad, disappointed, helpless, frustrated or experience any other feeling.

However, let’s choose to see the opportunity that lies within the difficulty.

First of all, allow yourself to take a break – you know you need to, even your body has been telling you that, though you ignored it.

It’s an opportunity to rest, get more sleep, spend quality time with your partner or your family or your pet, call that friend of yours, with whom you’ve lost contact recently, and catch up, take care of your body, get lost (and find yourself as well) within the pages of a good book or good music, express yourself through dance or painting or whatever else makes sense to you, laugh and cry.

There are no recipes for what you should or shouldn’t do during this crisis.

I encourage you to do what works best for you, attune to your own needs and find ways to meet them – as long as you stay home!

Create a new reality, so that you get a sense of control and normalcy, which will consequently enhance your sense of security during this tumultuous time.

 It’s an opportunity to enrich your psychological resources.

Take care of yourself.

You are worthy of it, though you keep forgetting it.

Moreover, take your time to reflect upon your choices.

You will face the life that you have thus far created for yourself.

Do you like your home?

Do you like your partner?

Do you like being alone, if you are alone?

Do you like the person your child is growing up to be, based upon the role model and the stimuli you provide them with?

Do you like your own company?

Who are you, if stripped off of your professional role?

What do you wish for?

What are you afraid of?

What do you need?

What do you dream of?

Don’t feel helpless, my friend.

Life does not end here.

This will pass as well.

Nothing lasts forever, everything is temporary like in a flow.

And there will come a time when we meet again and I wish that this encounter is full of yearning and hope.

There will come a time when we hold each other again and I wish that this embrace is tight and we are more aware of the value of what we hold.

There will come a time when we find our freedom again and I wish that we are then aware of its worth.

There will come a time when we enjoy the sunshine, the salty sea and the serenity of the mountains and I wish that we realize that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

There will come a time when we gather again and I wish that we enjoy companionship to the fullest.

And there will come a time when we get back to our daily routines and I wish that we are no longer the same.