Life is different now.
For some people, for many people, life might feel worse. For others, it might feel much safer, or better in some ways.
I want to share with you that whatever you feel now and have felt in the past few months is not wrong: it's a feeling (or a mixture of feelings...yes, you can have multiple feelings at once and it's completely normal) and all feelings are valid.
You may feel (are feeling, will feel) a mixture of many negative emotions, such as anger, irritability, frustration, sadness, denial, fear, anxiety. These are not fun emotions to feel. But during a global pandemic, those are emotions you can likely expect to experience at some point.
How do you care for yourself when you are experiencing negative emotions?
First, stop beating yourself up for feeling those feelings.
Second, acknowledge that you're feeling a certain way. For example: " I feel frustrated and sad that I can't ____________ (go to work or school in person, see my Grandpa at the care center, date a new person safely, go see live theater or ball games or music concerts) right now."
And third, find ways to stay connected to your hobbies, friends, family (if safe), and yourself. Do things that used to bring you joy. Remind yourself that there are STILL good things to look forward to, and good people who care about you in this world.
Don't abandon yourself. Be good to you!!
Teresa
Teresa Heald LCSW
