The Biggest Letdown

The thing that has devastated me the most about this pandemic has been the loss of human decency. For better or worse, I have always made the assumption that people are inherently good. And yet throughout this pandemic, I feel overwhelmed by people who are anything but.

There are protests demanding service industry workers get back on the job. Public figures have called for sacrificing our elderly to get the economy restarted. Essentially some Americans are taking it upon themselves to decide who lives and who dies.

I cannot imagine ever feeling like I have the right to determine who lives and dies from a pandemic. It absolutely shocks me to my core that there are human beings willing to sacrifice others for money. Yes, our economy is important. Yes we are going to be struggling for quite some time to bring our economy back to a better place. But no, at no point should citizens start making decisions around other citizens being sacrificed to fix an economy.

Look we have experienced something like this before (and GASP - without WiFi!) and we have experienced a devastated economy before. We will do so again. Realistically, the time between these events is going to get shorter if all the powers that be are correct. When we start deciding the only way out is to sacrifice human lives, we have failed entirely.

I go back to the root of the problem - I don’t know how to explain to someone to care about others. I don’t. I know I have been far too oblivious to privilege in the past. This struggle isn’t new and probably isn’t shocking to those who have been oppressed for centuries. It’s probably business as usual.

Now that I have become more educated and aware, on a much deeper level — I think it matters that I speak up. It matters to me to challenge the people who think they have the right to determine when another citizen lives or dies simply because they’d like to get a damn haircut.

There are certainly many stories of human decency. Of people helping each other out when they really don’t have to. Of companies doing right by their employees. So I get it, the world isn’t all bad. But I do believe these huge injustices and lack of humanity are grave enough that we can’t just say “well it balances out.” Because it doesn’t.

I don’t know how to explain to you that you should care about other people. All I know is that you should. And if you don’t, yea, you are the problem with society.

Panicked

It is obviously a very strange and stressful time in our world right now. Everywhere we turn there is more scary news about the Coronavirus. And that’s causing a panic.

We should absolutely be taking this very seriously. It is a very serious virus and has proven to shut down entire nations. But there is absolutely no reason to panic.

I obviously life with anxiety. And I’m scared too because I have a compromised immune system.

I am also a realist. And I care about myself and others. So I am choosing not to panic. I am also choosing to self quarantine. You should be doing these things as well.

If you have anxiety, this is a challenge. So let’s talk about to make it easier.

Limit Exposure

I mean this literally by social distancing but I also mean in the form of a digital detox. Stay informed with reputable and real sources (aka stop listening to the White House), but limit the amount of negative information you are exposing yourself to. Log off social media where a lot of the information available is wrong. Turn the channel if you’ve already spent time updating yourself for the day. The more you take in the content that is negative, the more you will panic. Turn it off, turn off the thing that is exacerbating your anxiety.

Stay Occupied

Distractions are everything. Been meaning to clean out your closet and donate old clothes? Is that book your friend recommended gathering dust on your bedside table? Still have that Pilates class waiting in your DVR? Do those things. Choose positive distractions during this time. Do all the things we all put off in our regular busy lives. And if it doesn’t bring you joy, don’t do it.

Create a Safe Space

You’re going to be spending a lot of time at home. Put in the work to make it a safe and comfortable space for you. Prepare with the supplies you need (prepare, NOT panic), make a cozy space, clean and organize. Do everything you need to do in order to feel joy and calm in your space. The more you feel “at home” the easier it is to actually spend well, all of your time there.

Invest in the right kind of social

No, not social media. We are social beings, we need that connection. FaceTime your family and friends. Text with them. Send cards, emails, tag the memes! Continue to remain connected in a healthy low risk way to the people that are important to you. Even the most introverted person in the world is not going to survive with no human contact.

Keep moving

My fitness game the last week has been on point. Get outside. Go for a walk (if you’re in a suburban or rural area, city kids sorry - keep your workouts at home), sit outside, get a workout class in (virtually). Mental health is connected to physical health. Don’t sit too long. Don’t sleep all day. Get moving.

Eat healthy

Again, health body, healthy mind. You can still order groceries online. Cool healthy meals. Eat healthy snacks. You’ve got time to show your Pinterest board the recipes you’ve been saving are actually going to be out to use. Sure, indulge, but eat as healthy as you can.

I know, things seem bleak right now. Things are hard. They’re straight up not fun. And for a lot of people, they are terrifying. Show up for yourself and others by doing the right thing. Stay home. Be kind. Help others where you can. We will get through this, but we have to do it together.

Faith in Humanity

I don't know about you, but I'm still exhausted from the state of politics, the POS excuse of a leader our country has, and the state of violence, racism, and hatred in society.  Every day I log onto social media or read the news, I feel a bit depressed, angry, and defeated.  I don't want to ignore the work that needs to be done in the world because we have a long way to go, but I do want to take a moment to highlight some of the good in the world lately.

It is my hope you will read these stories and be inspired to keep fighting for what's right, spreading kindness, and building strength to keep speaking up against injustice.

Waffle House Hero

Black Men Arrested at Starbucks

Ryan Shazier

There are so many stories of inspiration lately.  From the students standing up against gun violence to the teachers who are fighting for the wages they deserve, there's a lot to feel empowered by.  Start small if you have to, but stay strong and keep looking for the good - it will inspire you to do more and believe that you can achieve big things if you just have the courage to try.