Understanding feelings of helplessness while cooped up at home.
I’m wondering if you’re like me and more ready for a transition back outside the home, and into a community and city you recognize.
While staying inside is the healthy, safe, and smart practice to follow, I can empathize and understand that the stresses of being constantly indoors can be difficult. You maybe facing taking care of children, the stress of not being able to work, or the loss of attending events you had planned over the past couple months or even well into the future – sort of a loss imagined futures. Those are real losses too.
It’s possible that many of your plans have been upended with the ongoingness of “sheltering in place”, and that being in place with less to do has triggered some feelings of helplessness … and with those feelings of helplessness, perhaps also feelings of sadness, anger, or disappointment.
Believe it or not, I want you to lean into the feelings I mentioned immediately above. There is likely to be a gift hiding underneath those feelings. Take some time to pause and reflect what is triggering those feelings right now, and notice too if any of the feelings also relate to the past.
The best ways to handle feelings of helplessness include reaching out to others (connecting with your support system or community) or to take action. If you have experienced these types of feelings, think about what conversations you may need to have or the actions you may need to take to deal with whatever is triggering your feelings.
This weeks action step:
1. Call the people you identify to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings, so they can help you brainstorm possible resolutions to your concerns.
2. Take the actions you’ve identified to help you resolve the issues and concerns you have.
I’d love for you to respond on my facebook group if you feel comfortable!!
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To A Life You Love,
Dr. Joan Rosenberg