Living (and surviving) pandemic days

Since mid March, “self-quarantine”, “social distancing”, and ”working from home” are expressions that form part of the COVID-19 pandemic multitude of unique and new challenges.

Unfortunately, in most countries around the world, all of these became forced necessity rather than an individual choice, representing new experiences of the circumstances in which we work and live. The so called "new-normal" is totally unusual for the majority of us, with all routines changed, causing anxiety and stress whilst demanding for daily resources to discover and adapt to new ways to work, live and communicate.

It’s a weird old world we’re living now, isn’t it?  Think back to the start of 2020, who could have guessed or even described the situation if not only a science fiction writer?

Is this what life will be like for the next 2 years? How will we be able to sustain and overcome all he impact in our mental health and well-being? With no way to find out, the key to live and survive seems to be acceptance of how life has changed with a continuous exercise of empathy. 

What I have (re)learned by now 

• It is OK to miss the "old ways" and what "I have lost"; this has helped to acknowledge the challenges and difficulties 

• The relevance of staying informed but not alarmed; it is crucial to get information from reputable sources and to focus attention on the local and on the things and actions we can control

• How key is to create new routines; home-based gym, yoga, meditation etc and to assure that distancing is not disconnecting by keeping online with family, friends and colleagues... 

• Put down in words some thoughts and feelings; maybe they will turn out good stories when looking back after COVID-19 has passed

• Keep being grateful and maintain the "strong" attitude; keeping strong for me means "dressing" body and mind with the right frame as I do not believe that finding motivation while in pyjamas the entire day is a good option

• Joy is found in small things (like completing a 1500 pieces puzzle); it does not depend from “major” events

• Give myself a break; these are extraordinary times and, between working from home, homeschooling the kids, continuous food preparation and more, much more, there are days when there's no energy left, and that's OK. Go outside and just breath.