“Solitude is where one discovers one is not alone.” ~
Many of you have been at home – for many days now – unable to leave, unless for essentials. Grocery shopping, or maybe picking up prescriptions. Although, these days, almost everything can be delivered to you. Some free of charge. Others for a small fee.
The order to stay at home is to protect the health of the public, and slow, or “flatten” the curve of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Staying at home used to be a welcome break from work. National holidays. Unexpected days off due to bad weather conditions.
Everyone enjoyed the few days of no work – hanging with friends and family, or just having some “me” time.
COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
Now there is an order to stay at home. All. The. Time.
Non-essential businesses have been closed.
So, what do you do?
You relax! You chill. Every. Day. You don’ even think about work. You enjoy the freedom.
At first, it feels great. No alarms blaring for you to wake up to go to work. Sweeeet!
But wait! What about the kids?! Schools have been closed too!
It’s Family Time – All The Time
For some, it’s family time. At first, it’s a struggle. It’s All. The. Time!
You used to have breaks to do other things. Work. Play. Workout. Family fun. You can handle small increments of time to do different activities. Actually, many of you will say there just was NOT enough time in the day to do all that you wanted!
Well, here you go. You have ALL the time to do ANYthing your heart desires. Now what?
It’s family time! Yeah! Gather the family together and brainstorm how to coexist 24/7.
As a family, nothing is better than having each other at home together. Close.
That is a beautiful thing. The family can weather the “storm” together. There is strength in being together.
But wait! What if you are single? What if you are alone because your significant other is away and unable to make it back home?
Are You Riding Solo?
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in much fear and anxiety. The virus continues to spread and new cases are appearing almost daily.
It can be even more frightening when you are facing this health crisis on your own. Separation, self-quarantine, to avoid the spreading of COVID-19, has increased loneliness for many, especially older people.
Even more concerning, is that many are contracting the disease, and because of social distancing and overloaded hospitals, they are dying alone, either in a hospital or at home.
Embracing The Uncertainty Alone
Is it possible? To embrace the uncertainty that surrounds this virus? It may seem impossible but is it really?
Trying to live life in the time of a contagious and deadly virus is a lot to process by oneself if you live alone. Maybe it is even overwhelming for some. No one else is around for you to share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
You cannot control what is going on in the world. However, you can control your attitude towards it – your feelings. You can release your fears and focus on something else.
So what can you do? You embrace the situation. You cannot change what is going on, so you prepare yourself to sit with the unpredictability of this unprecedented situation.
You do what you can control. Keep yourself safe. Do as many of the things you normally would do – as much as possible within the confines of staying at home. Normalcy is important – it is the key to getting through each day.
Silence and Solitude
You have an unscheduled break from your daily routine. You have experienced silence and solitude before but have you ever explored them? Now it the time to do so and reap the benefits.
Silence, a break from noise pollution, has many health benefits – among them lowered blood pressure, and decreased stress.
Solitude, being separated from others, does not mean you are lonely. Loneliness, even feeling alone, are not the same. You can enjoy your solitude as in that state, you can focus more on yourself, be more self-aware.
Self-awareness too has many benefits. An important one is you are able to consciously choose or disregard distractions. So you are able to disregard the negative or concerning aspects of COVID-19 (you have no control) and focus on the positive aspects of your life (you have control).
What Do You Do?
Everyone is challenged in coping with fear, stress, and anxiety during the outbreak of COVID-19. Support yourself. Reach out (virtually of course) and support others. Reduce stress. Most important, because of social distancing, take care of your emotional health.
Remember – this too shall pass.
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