Even people who have never seen the 1960’s TV series, Twilight Zone, know about the concept. We all understand the rhythmic two-toned “doo-doo-doo-doo – doo-doo-doo-doo” uttered when something seems too strange to be true – all too applicable to the current times in which we live.
The world is in the throes of something none of us have seen in our lifetimes. Everything is relative, and to that end, we’ve had things pretty easy in the past. We didn’t realize that until our lives were changed without our permission. We may have thought we were in control, but all of a sudden, we are living in a world that has spun out of control.
We are bombarded with information, not all of which is true or helpful. What we choose to listen to can make us or break us. Yes, it’s that important.
It’s all right to give yourself some time to grieve. And I use that word because there has been a loss, a tremendous loss. The world as we knew it has changed and therefore, we are changed. Whether we admit it or not, we are not who we were before this “thing” changed us – changed the world. And that alone is frightening. It is frightening more that we probably allow ourselves to feel.
So what do we do? We’ve been told three things we must do, and yet many are resisting that. First, we must wash our hands, something we all thought we learned how to do as toddlers. But we had to relearn how to do something so simple we did it without forethought. So now we find ourselves singing “Happy Birthday”, with no one to celebrate and nothing to celebrate for.
Next, we must practice something that heretofore was not even terminology we recognized – social distancing. The standard was to stay at least six feet from another human being. Staying home was our best option to stay safe. How can we manage something so foreign to our busy lifestyles? How can we not go to work? How can we not be with other family members?
But then, how can we practice social distancing when our jobs are all about taking care of others? The many heroes who previously were unsung, who now risk their own lives in their quest to save ours have been working untold hours and under unbearable circumstances. Many of us have made their jobs even riskier by not heeding that simple directive – practice social distancing. Staying home is the new norm.
Finally, we must take precautions if we have to venture out into that new world. Hand sanitizers are everywhere we go. Although we weren’t told to do so at first, now we absolutely should wear face masks to be among those where social distancing is difficult, if not impossible to practice. And because medical personnel, fire and rescue heroes, among others must have first access to face masks, we must make our own.
So, is that all? What do we do now? I actually feel sorry for extroverts. It must be extremely hard for them to stay away from others as they try to practice social distancing. As a card-carrying introvert, I’m used to being alone with my thoughts. But even I am getting “cabin fever”. I want to BE with the rest of my family.
We need to be guardians of our thoughts. The tendency of many is to avoid thinking. How’s that working for us as an individual, a nation or the world? Who can we rely on? It has to start with ourselves and our family.
It seems like we are in some type of purgatory, stuck in the middle of something. How can we use this time of isolation to maneuver through these perilous times? How do we come out on the other side? Let’s think about that together.
And in light of thinking about all these issues that face us, I’ve just released a new product called Designing Your New Normal Mindset. This simple, yet powerful 4-module course can help you decide how you are going to face the future, your future, on your terms. Designing Your New Normal Mindset is now available at an introductory price of $9.99.
As always, I am here to serve you in any way I can. If you decide to purchase the course, feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or comments. I welcome your input.