What does today look like?
Here we are, finding our footing in a new world—a world of walls we didn’t expect to see all day every day. A world with children underfoot who make it hard to hit the high bar we set for our careers. A world in which not getting bored requires an excessive amount of work.
In this new world it is more important than ever to share how we’re all coping with the stress, the change, and the uncertainty about what tomorrow brings.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of The New York Times. Sitting down with the paper on Sunday morning reminds me of what Sundays used to feel like. Today I came across an article you may want to read now (and again the next time you’re feeling stressed): Letting Your Mind Graze in Lockdown by Pete Wells. It’s about sheep, but trust me on this one. Read the article and watch the video and I think you’ll find it as weirdly soothing as I do.
Another recent article was Children are Hunting Teddy Bears by Jacey Fortin. People are putting teddy bears in their yards and windows around the country so children can spot them. Have you hunted for teddy bears in your neighborhood? It’s far safer than seeking out those pesky coyotes now roaming our streets in broad daylight!
Getting out in the car for a quick trip has become the highlight of people’s days. Who knew CVS could bring such joy? So what about creating an adult version of the bear hunt with your own friends? It’s the little things that give us so much to look forward to.
A client recently shared a Hurry Slowly podcast called The Quiet Ego by Scott Kaufman. The four characteristics are mindfulness, perspective talking, inclusive Identity and personal growth. The podcast talks about how to cultivate these characteristics. My client says it is a great tool for helping change thought processes and behaviors.
So tell me, what are you doing, reading or listening to in order to cope? There’s no wrong answer.
Robin Maier is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a gentle therapeutic approach to guide women in every stage of life toward greater happiness
