Life has never-ending challenges.
History repeats itself.
There are no guarantees in life.
Put these three thoughts under a magnifying glass, and you have the foundation to examine some of the most powerful, long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new variants.
For many of us, the primary focus during the challenge of COVID-19 has been SURVIVING.
Congratulations to all of you because you have achieved the first goal by surviving the pandemic. However, despite our survival, we cannot overlook the broader effects of the pandemic and the new variants on our lives, our feelings, our relationships, our safety, and our futures.
Are you wondering if it will ever end? Perhaps the Delta Variance is the last chapter, but even if it’s not, we must work together in order to…
R.E.B.U.I.L.D.
Remember the lessons you have learned from the pandemic.
Explore solutions that lead to safety and success in every area of your life.
Be determined to thrive… not just survive.
Understand the impact of the changes you have endured.
Imagine the return of stability in your life.
Listen to the thoughts and feelings of people who you care for and people who are important to you.
Don’t let this disaster define your life and your future as a disaster!
Remember the lessons you have learned from the pandemic
Regardless of what has been “broken” in your life, consider the solutions you have found. You are still here. You have not starved to death. One way or another, you have managed to care for your family. Having supported their survival, you spend each day moving beyond the pandemic and into the future.
Explore solutions that lead to safety and success in every area of your life
You have a choice.
You can focus on the risks and what you have lost in your life.
OR you can begin to focus on new patterns in your life.
These patterns often provided a range of possible solutions. Some of those solutions may have been temporary compromises, but some may be the “new normal.” Focus on even the smallest steps to solutions, and focus on the steps you have already taken or are planning to take.
Be determined to thrive… not just survive
How and where you focus your positive energy often determines the level of rebuilding that can occur. You have no control over the past. You have no control over the virus and the variants. However, you DO have control over many things that happen in your future. Stay focused on the future. Stay focused on what you can control. Remember, even the smallest positive steps are a step in the right direction.
Focus on thriving not just surviving.
Understand the impact of the changes you have endured
These changes affected your life, but they also had a profound effect on your feelings, your attitude, your energy, your relationships, your patience with the children in your lives, and your belief that rebuilding can occur. Recognize the impact of the losses in each of these areas. Use your understanding to better control and intentionally refocus on positive steps that lead to healing and rebuilding.
Imagine the return of stability in your life
You can focus on the instability of your life. OR you can focus on the sense of safety that accompanies even small episodes of stability in your life. In all cases, focus on even the smallest steps that are leading to stability.
Listen to the thoughts and feelings of people who you care for and people who are important to you
No doubt, you have felt upset by the stresses of the pandemic. However, believe it or not, others will turn to you because they experience you as one of the “anchors” in their lives. They trust your opinion. They feel safer when you are around. All things considered, they rely on you in ways you may not even realize. (For example: to provide safe care, to help them feel that they are not “alone,” and to help them feel safe when they are afraid.)
Don’t let this disaster define your life or your future as a disaster!
Remember that there is a big difference between dealing with “stress” and being permanently “stressed out.”
There is also a big difference between dealing with “loss” and feeling permanently “lost.”
Finally, there is a difference between “living through a disaster” and “being destroyed by disaster.”
You have overcome this far, and you can continue to overcome.
Surviving the Pandemic
There are many things about the pandemic and its aftermath over which we have no control. At the same time, there are also many things about the pandemic and the aftermath over which we do have control.
Focus on what you do have control over. Put your energy into moving forward in those areas! And remember how far you’ve already come and how much more effectively you have learned to protect yourself.
More Resources for Surviving and Thriving
Read our blog post, “Coronavirus Pandemic – 9 Thoughts Adults Should Consider.”
Listen to Sandra Kwesell’s KRDO interview about “See the Signs of Stress on Families” during the COVID pandemic.
