We sure resent being told we can’t do something. My 96-year-old mother (who’s never willingly gone outside, as far as I know), told me she’s mad she can’t leave the building; COVID-19 has them in lockdown at her assisted living facility. Nice to know we never lose that inner tiger!
I’ve been observing my own reactions to changes requiring my compliance. It’s akin to the grief process; first step, denial. With each cancellation of something I care about, I notice my white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel of life as I yell, “No!” Finally, when my emotions settle down and I get used to the idea, I surrender to the current reality. Then the next thing comes up. Wash, rinse and repeat.
I don’t know that most of us are mentally equipped to process the magnitude of this pandemic or its duration. Public health officials understand the implications, but the rest of us are getting it at the rate we can. I was on the phone with a friend who was anxious about being behind the curve on a big project roll-out scheduled to go-live in October. It hadn’t yet occurred to her yet that it quite possibly won’t happen on time.
No doubt you, or people you know, are dealing with decisions to cancel trips (or have had them cancelled), are figuring out how/if weddings, graduations, anniversaries, or other major milestones will take place. Many have already taken place via video platform. We're all faced with a reprioritization of our lives. The one priority that continues to be important to everyone is relationships. And that’s a very good thing.
What was important to you that you had delay or cancel? How did you handle it?
Sending you appropriately physically distanced encouragement—and reminding you to get outside but not near others.