As we start tentatively to step out and reconnect with friends and family many of us have moved on from the dread created by lockdown and look forward to returning to life as we knew it. For some, the outlook is even better – we have a deeper knowledge of technology, new skills we developed during lockdown and an expectation of a much more flexible work life where we control when and where we work.
Hope is essential to our psychological wellbeing. A lack of hope is a major risk factor for depression, a loss of hope can be devastating. With a potential second wave of COVID cases increasing we need to be prepared, particularly for the disappointment of our hopes being delayed and the trauma this can cause.
One of the defining aspects of the current pandemic is uncertainty. We do not know how long we need to be careful, we need to delay our plans indefinitely, and we deal with almost daily changes in information. Uncertainty is much more difficult to deal with than certain knowledge of long-term difficulty; uncertainty disempowers us.
But all is not lost. Knowing this and understanding the reality of the situation can empower us. It gives us back some control and an understanding of our own emotional state. This is about acknowledging our reality, accepting it for what it is and taking charge – deliberately moving forward.
So, what can we do?
We can start by being kind to ourselves and accept our emotional response to what is happening. If you feel an emotion, then it is there for a reason. It’s legitimate. One way of looking at it that can be helpful is: emotions themselves don’t hurt us – they may be difficult – but they do not cause pain. The pain comes from our relationship with them and our lack of acceptance of them.
So, acknowledge your emotions, accept they are there and focus on making choices that empower, and that take you where you are wanting to go. Find the things in your world you can control, focus on them, and choose to empower yourself by heading in the direction you want to go.
This is the context for hope, and hope is what gives us the capacity to keep going. It allows us to see beyond things that are outside our control and focus on the things that are.
On the practical side, keep active, engage in activities you enjoy, learn new skills, pick up new hobbies, find ways you can positively reduce your impact on the earth, and touch the lives of others. Use these to feed your sense of hope and feed your acceptance of yourself, whatever you may be experiencing or feeling at the time. Remember if you feel it, it is legitimate.
And, reach out. Reach out to those close to you, reach out to those not so close and beyond.
As professional as we are, we are all human. We all crave connection, so reach out to people around us who may not feel they can reach out themselves. Check in on your colleagues. No matter how busy people are they will appreciate the connection. Use this opportunity to create hope for yourself and those around you.