One Step at a Time
Aanal Bhagwati an executive coach & Gitanjali Rao a a life coach share how to deal with COVID-19 one at a time.
Aaaaagh! …. Isn’t it enough that we are indoors, cooped up, maintaining the required physical distance, cooking (more than 3 meals), cleaning, groceries and other necessity purchases, helping children with their school work, calming them down, dealing with your own office work or routine, and that of your spouse and/or an older generation (if they live with you) and being the voice of reason?
Dealing with the deluge of numerous headlines, various social media channels, pictures of celebrities exercising and looking perfect, WhatsApp groups posting recipes, unwanted advice on managing this crisis …. and the list just goes on. Is there a voice in your head screaming,
“ENOUGH! I Don’t Want to Hear Another Suggestion AND Do Not Want to Read Another Word About This Virus Anymore”?
I hear you.
So, with all that is heading your way, where are you at right now? Are you ready to take the first step forward?
Where do we start?
Each of one us have a different starting point, and we move forward at our own pace, working on what is important, the need, and pushing aside what can be ignored, at this time. We deal with situations and stress differently; some of us have strong emotional and physical support around us, while some of us are dealing with a situation by ourselves, while supporting others. So, keep reminding yourself that there is no “one size fits all” method to deal with this madness.
Take a deep breath and, as someone said to me, take one day at a time. I would go one step further and say, “slowly put one foot in front of the other and move forward at your pace”. Only you know the speed at which you want to move ahead. Now, more than ever, it is important for you to rely on yourself, and not let the cacophony of voices and sounds bring you down.
So, start your day by focusing on what is in front of you.
Wake up at a reasonable hour every day. Make your bed, shower and get dressed in something cheery or smart. Next into the kitchen – keep breakfast simple but wholesome and nutritious.
Create your routine from the mundane.
Shut down social media – get out of WhatsApp groups, block emails that send you “advice”, shut off the news channels, and Instagram, TikTok, and the information disseminating apps. These steps will reduce the sense of anxiety around the uncertainty and the overwhelming feeling that you are not doing enough. Remember, everyone is facing different challenges; their life isn’t yours and shutting down the news and pictures will help you to focus on yourself; on what is important to you.
Ignore what others are saying, listen to yourself.
Creating the menu and list of chores for the week can wait until you are ready. The kids can eat whatever you or someone else makes, or even sandwiches for a few meals. You can stagger sweeping, mopping and the cleaning of the house. Take a little time for yourself, each day, even if it is to sit without an agenda, or to meditate, or catch up on some reading – take it to relax and gather yourself.
Neither is there a single right way, nor is there a standard to adhere to. Ignore the naysayers and the advice givers. Only you know what is within your means, and what you can do to move forward each day. Do what you need to do for yourself and for your family.
Go forward through your day, one step at a time, one activity at a time.
At the end of this crisis, the YOU that will emerge will be someone stronger, more resilient and capable. You will find awareness and be self-assured, becoming conscious of many qualities and quirks, both good and not so good, we didn’t even know we possessed.