3 Ways to Get Back Out There During a Global Pandemic
I’m not gonna sugar coat it, trying to get back to “normal life” after being isolated by the pandemic suuuucks.
It sometimes feels like we’re lying to ourselves. Like we’re pretending that we remember how to go out, keep conversations going, and be around people, when in reality, a part of us doesn’t remember what it was like to have plans and feel so carefree (or how to breathe while wearing such tight pants — ugh).
So how can we jump back into feeling motivated about our lives after being so impacted by a global pandemic? Even further, how can we get back in the groove of “who we used to be” when Covid-19 is still a legitimate concern for so many people?
1) Acknowledge you won’t ever be the same
You probably still think about the you that existed before March 2020. Do you ever find yourself idealizing them? Thinking that they knew what they were doing, they were so fit, they were so confident? Take a minute to reflect: How do you know what the version of you back then would’ve done today? How do you know they wouldn’t have made the same decisions that you had to make? And let’s be real, as amazing as they probably were, they never had to live through the life that current you did. All these years of collective trauma, of fear, of loss, of civil unrest. Past you had a mind and body that didn’t experience the weight of all these new worries and stress.
It’s time to acknowledge that that was a different version of you that isn’t around today. We’ll never know what would’ve happened if the pandemic hadn’t existed; we can only do what we can with the experiences we were given. Past you survived every difficult moment they were handed, and today you did everything they could to survive these ones, too. Give yourself grace; you’re doing the best you can.
2) Make decisions you’re ready for and hold off on the ones you aren’t
Whether you’re ready to get back to traveling and parties, or if you’d rather still wear your mask when you go grocery shopping or to the park, getting back out there needs to happen at your own pace. Think about how comfortable you are with the plans, what you’re ready for, and ways to keep yourself safe no matter what you do. Think about what friends and family you’d be with and whether you feel safe going out with them. It’s okay to say no! It's also imperative to respect that others may be ready for different things than you are. Don’t side-eye your coworker that went clubbing this weekend because you aren’t ready to do that yet. Similarly, don’t poke fun at the coworker who wears their mask to team meetings. We’re all moving at different paces.
3) Practice, practice, practice
That being said, it’s all a matter of balance. If we only wait until we’re ready, we may never give ourselves the chance to try something that scares us. If getting back to the life you remember feels unnatural, practice it. Don’t remember what it’s like to talk to strangers or eat at a restaurant? Try it out, especially if you know this is something you used to like to do! It may feel embarrassing and weird at first, and you’ll get better at it the more you try. Even better, when your brain tries to tell you that you’re no good, you’ll now have direct evidence to prove those thoughts wrong!
There’s a beautiful quote by Vincent Van Gogh that talks about this:
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
Silence the voice that tells you you can’t; it’s wrong for not believing in you, and it’s especially wrong for thinking it can dictate your actions and psych you out.
You’re a pretty powerful, phenomenal person who has survived so much. Oh my goodness, give yourself some credit. There’s so much more on your plate than you should be juggling, and you’re making it work. You’ve got this!! Whether you start to implement these tips today or still need a few months before trying, trust that you will make it back to feeling motivated about your life.
Nothing can stop you — not even a lousy pandemic.