On Emotion
The doctor is in! What an unusual time we are living in and the uncertainty is affecting what we reference as emotion or feelings more than anything else. Regardless of whether we consider ourselves to be Vulcan-like creatures of logic or the modern day hot mess at the mercy of our emotional whimsy. Wherever you fall on the emotional spectrum (and it is helpful to get an outside opinion from a trusted friend or family member who can be objective in helping you determine this), it is comforting to know what is healthy and what is not.
Many of us are likely struggling right now because of the uncertainty. Thought-based questions about health, jobs, money, food shortages, social distancing requirements, separation from friends and family, are on our minds. But it is not the questions themselves which bother us. It is our emotional reaction to these questions which create havoc in our mindset and upset our overall sense of well-being. Such feelings can break us down, particularly if they begin to linger and move from emotion to mood to state of being. The longer we are in a static circumstance, the greater the likelihood we find ourselves in a longer term rut.
But fear not! The beauty to be found in this beast is the similarity of the circumstance across the board of the human race. Quarantine has affected, in one way or another, all 7+ billion people in the world. The odds are excellent, due to the global reach of the pandemic, that someone out there feels nearly the exact same way you feel at any given moment. That is a comforting thought!
When it comes to emotions, we tend to internalize and isolate. The old adages of "No one understands me," or "No one has gone through what I am going through," are ever present in our thinking as we make fruitless attempts to rationalize our discordant state of mind. We want things to make sense so we suggest the way we feel is just unique because of our situation. It makes us feel better. However, it is simply not true. Very few feelings are unique because very few circumstances are unique anymore.
So take solace in the fact that the world is going through this, too. It is an opportunity for unity and understanding. We will make it through this and we will be stronger. We will also find new challenges on the other side.
Many of us are likely struggling right now because of the uncertainty. Thought-based questions about health, jobs, money, food shortages, social distancing requirements, separation from friends and family, are on our minds. But it is not the questions themselves which bother us. It is our emotional reaction to these questions which create havoc in our mindset and upset our overall sense of well-being. Such feelings can break us down, particularly if they begin to linger and move from emotion to mood to state of being. The longer we are in a static circumstance, the greater the likelihood we find ourselves in a longer term rut.
But fear not! The beauty to be found in this beast is the similarity of the circumstance across the board of the human race. Quarantine has affected, in one way or another, all 7+ billion people in the world. The odds are excellent, due to the global reach of the pandemic, that someone out there feels nearly the exact same way you feel at any given moment. That is a comforting thought!
When it comes to emotions, we tend to internalize and isolate. The old adages of "No one understands me," or "No one has gone through what I am going through," are ever present in our thinking as we make fruitless attempts to rationalize our discordant state of mind. We want things to make sense so we suggest the way we feel is just unique because of our situation. It makes us feel better. However, it is simply not true. Very few feelings are unique because very few circumstances are unique anymore.
So take solace in the fact that the world is going through this, too. It is an opportunity for unity and understanding. We will make it through this and we will be stronger. We will also find new challenges on the other side.
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