A Hopeful Approach to Mental Health
“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.” – Lisa Olivera
The change that the pandemic brought to you is unparalleled. Spending time with your families and friends, travelling the world, and playing volleyball on the beach have all been replaced with fear and the monotony and isolation of staying at home. Both Christmas and New Year were celebrated differently and it’s obvious how the pandemic really changed the things you do normally. It is disheartening that you live in this new normal, but it is important to remember that whatever you feel in this situation is valid, and that you are not alone.
The feeling of being isolated and the loneliness is overwhelming that sometimes it tempts you to give up. You sometimes think of talking it out with your friends or family but when you talk to them, you end up saying something like, “You don’t know what it is like.” You are so used to dealing with your emotions alone that you isolate yourself from the people who care for you that you tend to forget that these people will try their best to understand you. Everyone may not be fighting the same battle but you do not have to endure everything alone.
Putting yourself first is not a bad thing and it is not wrong to have empty days. There might be days where you feel so worn out. Days where you just want to lie down, and days where you want to just give up. But these days are considered normal during these times. Even the excitement and your willingness to learn in school may be deteriorating but that is okay, you do not have to force yourself when you do not feel okay.
You have to know that even doing simple activities can relieve you from the stress you have been experiencing, like having a simple conversation with your family or your friends or even decluttering. Though you know that it would not do much, there’s no harm in trying to do things that have even the slightest chance of easing your worries and fears. Indulging in your favorite hobbies can help you have peace of mind, and binge-watching your favorite movie or series can help you escape reality for a while. Knowing what stresses you and choosing to take care of yourself may give you an advantage against the situation.
It might be hard for you to talk about what you feel during the pandemic, but it is also important for you to let all your feelings out. Bottling up all of your emotions may lead to you burning out so it is completely okay to be vulnerable and cry. Being alone doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone. There are people around you who care and are willing to help you no matter what. Your emotions are valid so do not think that no one would understand you because there is someone out there who is willing to listen to you.
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