How are you doing?
No really, how are YOU doing?
To kick off this honest conversation, I will let you know where I am at.
Some days are good, and others are more meh.
There are moments when I'm so angry at the greedy people that panicked and bought all the food and resources because now I'm worried about my family. I'm concerned for my older parents who are in the group that needs to be protected. I'm also so fearful of what we're going to look like on the other side of this virus. Will people travel again? Will all the businesses I love open back up?
I think about all the people who are out of work, who have a job in healthcare and are being stretched too thin and the people who feel themselves getting sick and don't know what to do about it.
I'm scared of how we even got to this point and if this is going to be our new normal. Once this virus is contained, what will be next? Will every year bring us a new disease that shuts down our society? Lilly is only 15-months old and I worry about what kind of world she will grow up in.
It can all be so overwhelming and if you're like me, you probably feel powerless.
But then I take a deep breath.
It may not seem like it, but it IS all going to be okay. This is a scary time, that's for sure, but eventually, it WILL end. Things will go back to normal and there might actually be some upsides.
I imagine more companies will allow their employees to work from home. All the hard-working people working from home are proof of concept that it can work. And although it's hard, it's allowing some people to save money on childcare and spend more time with their families. Friends of mine who were let go are using this time to further their education or try for that dream they thought they never could do. They are turning something really scary into something positive and inspiring.
The stores will restock and prepare better and people will get the things they need. We just might need to all use 1-ply toilet paper until our favorite brand restocks.
The money will come back to the economy because we saw how it did after the recession in 2008.
Things are hard for sure, and it's okay to be scared sometimes, but there IS a light at the end of the tunnel.
But if you ever find yourself at rock bottom and don't know who you can turn to, I suggest reaching out to one of the crisis counselors at Crisis Text Line. It's a FREE service that you can use 24/7/365. Just text HELP to 741741 and you will be connected with a compassionate and sympathetic person who can help connect you to resources, or at the very least, listen to your fears.
How are you really doing? Tell me in the Facebook comments.