We are all going through it right now, but what about those of us that have been in this rut for a while? My family has told me time and time again that “this is hard on everyone”. How does telling me that help? What is the expected response? That I am automatically cured? That I will instantly snap out of my darkness because they pointed out that I am not in fact the only one struggling? I wish that was how it worked. It would save me a lot of money on my medications and therapy sessions.
But the question then occurs to me- how do we help ourselves during this time? This “unprecedented time”? I can’t speak for everyone when I say the outer-world’s behavior has made me feel like I am crazy, but for those of us that have been quarantined since March, everyone that is behaving as though things are normal is driving me Nuts! Not being able to see people, hug my friends, or go get a cup of coffee as normal is pushing me into this dark box that months of therapy once helped me to escape. Sitting in the same room, marathoning the same TV shows, and staring at my screen all day, every day, is exactly what we Aren’t supposed to do. We are supposed to try to get some sunshine, some exercise, socialize, try to get out of the house and remember to brush our teeth and shower. All of that is out the window currently. At least where I am living, people go on walks, but rarely, if ever, wear masks. Socializing is out and what is the point in showering if we are just staying home in pjs? How do we adapt to this new reality for God knows how long?
Trying to stay safe while also maintaining a living is difficult, to say the least. All we can do is try to maintain social distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and hand sanitize All the time. In summary- just try to do your best. Even if that “best” today is getting some food in your system- no matter what it is.
For me? Going to work helps. Zoom calls and checkins. Formulating a schedule. Waking up earlier and petting my dogs. Medication. A more regulated sleep schedule. Small steps. Taking every day one at a time. Social distancing my loved ones. Having open and honest conversations have helped. We are all on the same boat, yes, but that does not mean you need to quiet your emotions or push them down to benefit others. You are valuable. You matter. Your feelings are valid. You are entitled to feel and share your voice. Yes, many are having a really hard time right now, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t struggling too. You are allowed to take up space! Set boundaries with friends and family. Find what your limits are in which you can help those you care about, while also maintaining your mental health. You deserve to be treated well. And the best person to take care of you is You. Remember to breathe and that you are not alone. Someone is in your corner, even if it doesn’t feel like it. You are loved and you are worth the effort.
National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Unruly Bodies 
I have been thinking about this a lot, and you put my thoughts into words. The idea that everyone is facing a difficult time does not make my (or other’s) state of being any better or easier. Further, seeing people not follow basic guidelines makes it even worse. Human interaction is so important, and this pandemic almost takes that away entirely, so how do we manage those feelings of depression? I do agree that a schedule helps a LOT. Having some form of regulation works wonders, and of course, pets are always a plus. At least for me, it comes down to finding the small wins during the day. Thanks for this blog post.
This post was really interesting to me. I feel like I have been feeling so down about not being able to see my friends and not being able to spend time doing the things that make me happy. At first I was maintaining a relatively upbeat attitude when quarantine started but after the third and fourth month passed I was feeling more and more hopeless about this whole situation. The part regarding family members saying it’s hard on everyone really hit home for me. I have been hearing that a lot from my mom and although it is true, it has not been sufficient in making me feel any better about what is going on. I have learned more recently that having school work to do keeps me busy enough to avoid thinking about the time I can’t spend with my friends and picking up new hobbies like crocheting has also helped me move towards a more positive outlook.