How Words Can Shift Our Perspective During A Pandemic
Oh baby, baby it’s a wild world. These are the lyrics in one of my favorite songs. It’s descriptive of the world that we are currently living in as well. As we head into the umpteen day of social isolation, I have some thoughts based on some things that I’ve read today.
First off, I think we are using certain phrases incorrectly. We are using the word quarantine universally. Quarantine is actually used when someone is sick and being isolated. Most of us are healthy. Shelter in place is usually used when there is a lockdown due to an active shooter and we are ‘sheltering in place’ to stay safe. What we are doing now is socially isolating. We are hunkering down with our core people in OUR homes to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. We are washing our hands, staying in and just attempting to flatten this damn curve. We are not stuck at home; we are safe at home.
Now, this is all a matter of opinion and attitude. I totally get that, but I am viewing it as safe at home. It feels healthier and more positive for sure. I have to actually confess something, as much as I like to get out, there is something about being stuck at home that takes the guilt and pressure off of just ‘being’. Most of us are running at warp speed. Whether we have kids in sports, busy jobs, etc. — we are busy! We don’t slow down. Most of us don’t know what idle time it. Many us blow through the days and constantly say, “I don’t have time for _________”.
It’s almost like someone told us to sit down and listen up. We’ve been told that we are not in charge. We have been told to be good humans and look out for others. Okay, no one is actually saying this but if you listen closely, it’s most definitely being implied. Maybe there is a hidden message in all of this. Even if it’s coming at us in a terrifying way.
I certainly hope that this is a shift for people. A shift for what it feels like to have time. A distraction of life to focus on ourselves and our families. We have become so uber focused on material things. We want to have the best of the best or pretend too because of the whole keeping up with the Jones theory. Kids are on a hamster wheel to be the best of the best in academics and sports while their parents are living vicariously through them. You guys, life is not a race or competition.
To put it bluntly, who gives a fuck. We are here. We can’t fight any of it. Most of us can exist just fine in our homes. Most of us have enough amenities to get through the days. We have technology to keep us engaged and connected to work and school as well as to friends and family. We have food in our fridges and pantries. Hopefully we even have toilet paper. We likely have enough.
And if you are having a bit of a pity party, think about those who might have less than you do and then count your blessings. There are many who can’t afford to stock up on necessities. There are many who struggle with meeting their basic needs like paying for their utilities or even rent. Look for the silver linings because they do exist. Now count your blessings again. And again.
I also read today that it’s likely that 25–50% of the population has tested positive and haven’t shown signs. This is awesome if it is true (verified statistics still pending). It doesn’t mean that we are all immune. Even if you do not get sick (lucky you), you can still spread this awful disease to others who aren’t as lucky as you. That is where the #stayathome message rings loud and true. Or as some have stated, “stay the fuck at home”.
A favorite yoga teacher of mine sent an email out to her list of subscribers today. She put it in really simple words: we are all dying. We will all be born, live a life and then die. I mean seriously. Could this be more accurate? Every day we are all just trying to live. Even without COVID, we are trying to make it through every day and wake up for the next.
While COVID can take lives swiftly and in great numbers, we are all capable of dying every.single.day. I don’t mean this to sound negative or scary, but the reality of death is in our face all the time. People die everyday from health issues, car accidents, suicide, overdoses and hell, any of us could get hit by a bus while crossing the street. This is not meant to scare you but it’s the truth. There are statistics with numbers attached to them for the everyday ways that people die.
So, what I am saying is this, you cannot prevent death. You cannot predict how, when or why your life will end. You can simply know that it will. You can spiral over the what ifs. You can curl up in a ball and cry over it. You can freak out. You can also do these things and then pick yourself up because you cannot control it. You can however attempt to control an outcome by making choices to protect yourself.
In the case of COVID there are ways to expose yourself less. First and foremost, you can stay home. You can (and should no matter what is happening in the world) wash your hands for 20 seconds (pick a song and sing as you wash to make it a fun game), stay in more, go out less, wear a mask when you have to go out in public, wipe down surfaces in your home and in your car if you have to drive places and don’t touch your freaking face.
The outcome of this really depends on how we act as a whole. Yes, some people are breaking the rules pretty blatantly, but many are not. As much as you cannot control this situation, you also can’t control others so worry about yourself, share some smiles from afar and let’s do this!
