It’s no secret that we’re all experiencing something strange, unusual and perhaps scary with the current world pandemic. Most of us have never and will never encounter a situation quite like this in our lifetime. When we have a big disruption such as the Coronavirus pandemic in our lives, you may be feeling uncomfortable as we are forced into a situation that is unfamiliar. Being in quarantine or otherwise cooped up at home can lead to restlessness, anxiety, depression or uncertainty for many (add a little bit of craziness to the mix if you’re stuck at home with your beloved kids!).
Most of our lives are busy and over programmed with work schedules, commuting, social obligations and other responsibilities, and if you have children there are a whole world of other activities and events that fill up your time. We are so used to our daily patterns and doing things unconsciously. Now, you are being told to stay home, being restricted from participating in your usual activities, you can’t see your friends and family, you’re required to stay home to work, say goodbye to your daily gym routine, your children’s sporting activities, your supportive outlets and you familiar day to day living.
“We get to create a new identity and get to decide who we want to and are going to be. What an opportunity to check in and find out who you truly are!”
What happens when these patterns get taken away? We get to create a new identity and get to decide who we want to and are going to be. What an opportunity to check in and find out who you truly are! Although this is genuinely an unpleasant time for so many people and a massive disruption to the world, it really is up to you with how you live your day to day life.
What’s surprising to most people is that even when they feel like they have an overabundance of time to spare, entire days or even weeks can fly by with absolutely nothing being accomplished. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person?’ It’s really easy to fill your time with empty actions in order to stay busy but actually doing nothing. Doing nothing for extended periods of time makes it even easier to get wrapped up in worrying thoughts or distracting yourself in negative ways.
It’s important to put your time and energy into the things that are within your circle of control rather than in your the circle of concern. We too often without realising it, focus on the things we can’t control rather than what we can. You can’t change the present situation of what is happening in the world. Try to and you will spend all of your time and energy worrying, creating anxiety, raising your blood pressure and creating unnecessary stress. Watching the news and reliving the problem over and over gets us stuck in the circle of concern with no out in sight.
“In 6 months time, in 12 months time, what do you want to look back and say about this time? Time wasted or time given to you to create change, purpose and opportunity?”
So what can you do? Grab a pen and paper and write yourself a ‘Can control’ vs ‘Can’t control’ list. Get all these thoughts down on paper. Be honest with yourself. When you’re finished, put a big cross through your ‘Can’t control’ list’. When you see your thoughts down on paper and you work towards letting go of what you can’t control, you’ll have a lot more choices. You’ll have a new sense of freedom. The whole world around us can be falling apart but we can still control how we perceive things, our emotions and what we decide to do within our inner self.
It’s up to you to choose distractions that are positive and help you grow and develop, not the ones that are going to have long term implications on your mental health and on your vision of what is possible. You can’t change what is happening in the world right now, but you can change your outlook and what YOU do. You have a choice. You can choose to be miserable or choose to be happy. It will be a constant daily choice and it may not be easy, but it is your choice. You may have extra free time on your hands (unless of course you’re working from home AND homeschooling your children…if this is you, I salute you!) and the question is, how are you going to use this time? Life is happening to you, it’s happening for you. Look at this as an opportunity to make the best of it. In 6 months time, in 12 months time, what do you want to look back and say about this time? Time wasted or time given to you to create change, purpose and opportunity? What goals are you going to set yourself for this time in isolation?
Janine ❤️
POSTS BY JANINE
- Coronavirus has Changed your World. It’s OK to Grieve.
- Accepting your Circle of Control during Isolation
- Work, Guilt and Motherhood
- Permission to Self Care
- Toddlers, Tantrums and Triumphs
Janine Graham is a Mum, a Primary School Teacher and a Wellness and Mindfulness Coach. Janine works with women to refocus their energy on what aligns with their values and supports and challenges them to create a greater overall life satisfaction. Janine is skilled and passionate in empowering women in issues such as body confidence, relationships, fertility, parenting, life balance and unconditional self-love. Make contact with Janine today for your free, no obligation clarity call. Follow more of Janine’s story on Free To Be Me – Wellness Coaching’s Facebook Page and Website.