Toolbox

We’re almost a full year into the most curious of times. There is an end in sight, but it still feels a bit too distant for many. Routines have been obliterated. Physical social connection has been blown out of the water. Our daily rhythm, whatever that may be, is harder to maintain because of competing priorities and various barriers. For most, we work, we play, we dine, we socialize within a small space with the same, exceedingly small group. We feel disconnected.

With this disconnect, it is easy and understandable, to vacillate between apathy and anger. We ask ourselves what the heck can I do to alleviate the pain of this situation? I don’t have the power, the ability, the creativity, the whatever. Then we shift to why do I have to do anything at all? I didn’t create this mess. It’s not my responsibility to help come up with solutions.

Something to keep in mind. It is rarely the actual activity that we are missing when we talk about things we are not able to do. Instead, we are missing the emotion it elicits. Those beautiful, healthy feelings of love, joy, freedom, happiness, contentment, peace. So, yes, there may be some limits on what you can actually do. But you are in complete control of figuring out other ways to feel those ‘feels.’

Connect back in with the emotion(s) you are seeking, from there open yourself to (re)engage in alternative activities that can bring those emotions about. And when the time comes (and that time is coming) when you can slide back into those routines that provided you such love, joy, freedom, happiness, contentment, and peace, you’ll have created a number of new ways to experience those healthy highs. There will be more in your toolbox the next time you find yourself in a similar situation.