A new normal: Finding ways to live during the coronavirus shutdown

I am a planner. A month ago I had this whole column figured out. In fact, I had a mental sketch for the entire year’s worth of bi-monthly columns I signed up to write for The Olympian.

And then everything changed.

Now I am trying to cope with a new normal, a normal that seems to be changing everyday.

Typically, I look to structure for regulation. I love color-coded calendars. But right now I am having to throw those gorgeous rainbow calendars out the window. Their stiff lines don’t leave room for emotion, and our family is having a lot of those right now.

I am focusing on letting go of what I can’t control, and coping healthily with what I can control.

How this pandemic feels to each person is going to be different. Each of us has different life experiences, different resources, different privileges. Below are some methods I have found helpful for coping with this current normal.

Give grace

That crabby guy in front of you at the grocery store. That car that just raced around you. The irritable customer at work. Give them grace. Everyone is experiencing fear and grief and how this manifests is different for each person. It takes energy to be angry and frustrated. This energy is so valuable right now, and so much better spent on other things. Let the toxic feelings go and replace them with patience and grace. Grace will fill you up!

Practice gratitude

Yesterday I was unloading the dishwasher for the bazillionth time and I let out an audible groan. Since this pandemic began, I’ve been unloading the dishwasher every day! But wait… check this out! I have a dishwasher! I have a magical machine that cleans the dishes for me! And the reason I have so many dishes to clean is because I am cooking homemade meals for everyone throughout the day, which is wonderful! Gratitude is an antipode to fear. It is exactly what we need more of right now.

Get outside

My husband and I have been waking up early and going for a walk. I have found no substitute for the crisp, clear air on my weary face first thing in the morning, no substitute for getting my body up and moving before it takes on the tasks of the day, no substitute for this time alone with my husband (which is otherwise hard to get when we are locked down at home with two kids). This has also helped to add a bit of structure to our quarantine lifestyle.

Bust a move

I have long struggled with generalized anxiety. One of my primary coping mechanisms for this is movement. Moving my body helps to release nervous energy and makes me feel empowered. This is more important than ever during such a stressful time. In addition to morning walks with my husband, I have tapped in to a variety of free online resources for at-home workouts. Adding movement to your day can also help add some structure, by implementing it at the same time of day or week.