Another year with COVID: Are You Learning to Accept and Live With It?

First it was COVID (the common name) and then it was SARS-2. The next variant of COVID was Delta. Now we have Omicron. The time span has been two full years, and globally, we are all learning to live with it, but are you accepting it?

The global increases of COVID cases have caused some countries to close borders (again).

In the US, many airlines cancelled flights last weekend because airline staff had contracted COVID. In one day, airlines cancelled 2000 flights. Families who hoped to gather had to cancel or postpone plans to gather, or find other ways to get to their destinations, all the while sitting in airports waiting for a “next” flight.

What began as a curveball has turned into a way of life — wearing masks, standing six feet apart from strangers, and spending more and more time indoors. Some question the (mental)health of the current and long-term effects of COVID. Rightfully so.

It feels like we take one step forward and two steps backwards. The more we want stability, the more unpredictable it becomes. This is the cost of living with a disease that has not settled into its endemic state.

The US reports that over 200,000 people test COVID-positive every day. Not just one day, but every day. Are we back where we began? Hardly.

We have evolved into a new normal of wearing masks and Zoom calls. The word “Zoom” has been used as a verb, adverb, and noun. Phrases like, “I’m going to Zoom with her,” or “Let’s Zoom!” or “How did the Zoom go?” are becoming second nature. In other words, Zoom has become a household name like Amazon, and Xerox was years ago.

So, let’s return to the concept that we’re learning to live with it, because it’s not about returning to normalcy, but realizing there is a new normal.

The new normal might look like this:

Wear a face mask, because it protects yourself and others

As you put your mask on, what if you whisper thanks because you are wealthy enough to own a mask, as many in outlying countries struggle to have wages to own even one mask?

As you hinge the elastic around your ears, what if you offer a blessing to those sick with COVID, perhaps even in the hospital?

Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to avoid transferring the COVID virus from you to others or from others to you

As you wash the bacteria off your hands, what if you release any bitterness in your heart that might have crept in over the last few years?

Practice social distancing: 6 feet apart from strangers helps prevent infection

As you stand a distance away, what if you take notice of how beautiful the person is in front of you and smile at them? We’ve all been forced to socially distance that it’s sometimes difficult, at times, to understand and acknowledge the hardships of others. Why not offer a smile? It might make their day brighter.

With stress levels higher than normal, how do you navigate taking care of your needs?

Maybe this will help:

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.

Attend to your soul rather than the superficial needs: Depression, neglect, anxiety are all symptoms your soul is suffering. It helps understand that caring for your soul is different than managing your life.

“Soul care values the connection inside of you.”—Dolores Gonzalez

Don’t take things literally. Always dig a bit deeper. If you work too much, what is your soul looking for or needing through the work? The same goes for any other “isms” (alcohol, narcotics, food, video games, gambling, etc.). My therapist said one day, “It’s interesting how society heralds some “isms” and sabotages others. We celebrate workaholics, but judge the alcoholic.” If one of these is you, what part of your soul needs nourishment? What is your soul trying to tell you?

Whatever’s good for your soul, do that.

Your symptoms are an opportunity for improvement. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or another emotional challenge, look a bit closer at it. What does your soul need? What is your soul asking of you? The answer might be staring you in the face, and you have been pushing it away or sweeping it in under an emotional facade.

Slow down. Take time to listen to your inner self.

Take time to make decisions. Reflect and have conversations. Be thoughtful and reflect before acting. Words heal or tear down. Isn’t it better when they are healing?

Seek wise counsel. Maybe your perspective about a situation is infused with your own interpretation and emotional status? Asking a trusted friend or family member can help you see the other side of things.

When your soul is sick and unhealthy, you lean towards depression and anxiety. No judgment from me, as I struggle with both. So, when I write here, I offer my perspective because of my experience. And I hope my words inspire and help you not make mistakes I’ve made.

Every day you make many choices. In fact, Inc. Magazine posted an article stating that adults make 35,000 decisions per day. Don’t let the noise of the world cloud who you are. Take time to reflect on what is important to you and how you can be the best version of yourself every day.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

COVID upended our lives, but it doesn’t need to change who you are.

1. Wear your mask

2. Practice safe distancing

3. Wash your hands or use sanitizer

4. Attend to the needs of your soul

5. Dig deeper and ask yourself (your soul) what you need

6. Don’t sweep your symptoms under the rug. Use this opportunity for self-improvement

7. Don’t rush into decisions with haste. Take time to reflect and seek wise counsel.