As the World slowly begins to reopen, we are faced with a new challenge: how to move forward despite being afraid or for some people, how to move forward when you have no fear. The federal government has unveiled suggested guidelines for reopening America in phases. Each state has also laid out their own plans. And to keep things interesting (and confusing), cities and towns have revealed their own guidelines. Then, there are the infectious disease experts, doctors, government officials, conspiracy theorists, and our friends who spend too much time on social media who also have their own ideas on how to move forward.
The right answer is: who the hell knows? This is a novel virus so we’re all just guinea pigs here. What I do know is the world is not going to stay at a standstill forever. We have to move forward, whether one step a day or a sprint each week. But just the thought of moving forward, getting a haircut, shopping for clothes, going to the gym, letting your kids climb on playgrounds, in the midst of a global pandemic takes fear to a whole new level for many people.
So, as the world starts returning to the “new normal” we keep hearing about, I am going to make every effort to remain level-headed while facing my own fears about reopening. Instead of focusing on all the things outside my control and letting anxiety creep in, I am going to focus on the many things I can control.
I Can:
- Exercise (hello DIY hot pilates with my space heater!)
- Do all things Zen to stay calm: meditation (I’ve downloaded several apps), mindfulness, gratitude, journaling… whatever it takes to give my mind a rest
- Get adequate sleep
- Practice self-compassion (none of this is normal)
- Stay focused on my goals, purpose, and mission but pivot as necessary
- Wash my hands often and use hand sanitizer
- Stop touching my face (challenging but possible)
- Wear a mask (makes not touching my face a little easier)
- Practice 6-six-feet physical distancing
- Wipe down cart handles
- Stay home if I feel sick
- Keep the pantry, toilet paper, and paper towels stocked
- Limit my news intake and social media scrolling
Finally, when fear and worry do manage to creep in, I’m going to remind myself of one of favorite quotes from Nelson Mandela:
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Fearing the future will change nothing. We need to be smart and move forward toward our “new normal” with courage and bravery, not fear.
