There’s no doubt that everyone is not feeling themselves due to the pandemic. Many people have had to deal with hardships such as the loss of a job or a loved one.
I lost my beloved French bulldog Charlie recently, and I continue to try to remain positive and find the silver lining in things. I also am not afraid to ask for help when I need it. Many of you know that I strongly believe in the idea of it’s okay to not be okay.
So many of us pretend that everything is fine when it’s not, and it doesn’t make you a better person, more successful or weak in any way. Being vulnerable is not a bad thing. It’s impossible to be OK or on your A-game all of the time. One of the most courageous things you can do is to ask for help and take a time out. Even the most successful people deal with tough times.
Here are a few things you can do when you’re feeling sad or stressed out. I know that taking action really helps me to maintain some sense of control in a world that is so unpredictable.
- Connect with family and friends
- Stay grounded in what matters
- Be present for those around you
- Control what you can control and try to focus on that
- Be kind to yourself and others
- Be a judgment-free zone
- Forgive and forget – make amends with others in your past
- Nest. For whatever reason, taking care of others by cooking is incredibly therapeutic for me. I am staying with close friends and I have been baking and cooking for them every day. They are appreciative, I am appreciative for them welcoming me into their home, and we’re all satiated (and wearing stretchy pants).
- Get moving through some sort of exercise (or not). I haven’t felt very motivated to do anything this week. And I’m giving myself a pass. Maybe next week I’ll feel differently, but I’m not going to beat myself up about it.
- Listen to something inspirational
- Offer to help others
- It’s okay to say no
- It’s also okay to cry one minute and laugh a few minutes later – humans are complex
- Remember the good times (I often look at old photos)
- Reach out and ask for help
- Put things in perspective and remember that these hard times shall pass
- Do not under any circumstances do anything rash with your hair. You will regret it. Last year I became a blonde after my ex left me. It was a huge mistake, especially during the pandemic because now I have two tone hair. I’ll be going back to my roots pretty quickly.
I feel an immense sense of loss over everything that’s happened to me this year. But I know things will get better. I know my dog had an amazing life. And I know that as long as I continue to be a good person I will find happiness again. Life is full of highs and lows and sometimes we must choose to be happy in order to persevere. I am resilient and I believe good times are ahead for all of us.