Returning to Life After Coronavirus

It's been over a month since the impacts of this global pandemic and shelter in place began. Nearly two for many people with children. That's six to eight weeks of the same thing every day, like Groundhog Day. It's been a grueling journey for most of us. But, finally, it seems like there might be a hint of light at the end of this long tunnel. As we begin to discuss returning to life after coronavirus, there are some important things to consider in that process.

Depression

You are probably lonely or depressed. You may or may not realize it, but the lack of human contact and connection over the last stretch of time has had an impact on you. Not being able to go anywhere or do the normal life things you were used to has likely depressed your system. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you; it only means you're human and this global issue has affected you as well. Here in Oregon, when the sun comes out after a long winter season, I'm always surprised at how much better I feel and just how impacted I was by its absence.

Anxiety

You may be worried about going back. The relief of businesses opening up and governmental restrictions being lifted can bring a wonderful feeling. It can also bring fear or worry about something happening again to take it away again. It might not be coronavirus this time, but it's scary no matter what the culprit. This is very normal after a big disaster or trauma. It's common to have an uneasy sense that if it happened once it could happen again.

Trauma

For many people, this COVID-19 issue exposed problems in coping skills and relationships. Or, reminded them of forgotten memories of painful past experiences. You may have been holding on for dear life, struggling every day to hold onto your life and sanity. When things finally let up, you may feel like you've come out of a warzone or relived a traumatic time in your life.

Guilt or Shame

You may have struggled to get through the last couple of months. Coping by seeking comfort in food, drugs or alcohol. Maybe, binge-watching Netflix or oversleeping. With all of this social isolation, you may be returning to life with a feeling of guilt or shame about how you coped. You may feel like you wasted this time and were not as productive as you wished you were. You may feel guilty for not talking with friends or family more often. Maybe you feel ashamed of the weight you gained or what you did to your body.

Grief

Lastly, you might simply feel a tremendous sense of loss. You've lost connection with others. Failed to celebrate major life events such as birthdays and graduations. You've lost vacation plans, and you've lost time and the ability to make choices about your life. Picking up the pieces and returning to "normal life" may seem like a very daunting task. Since we don't know what this will look like, we can help with grief counseling too.

A Path To Healing: Coronavirus and Beyond

Whatever you're facing in your life as you begin to leave this shutdown behind, remember that it's a big deal. Moving forward may be more complicated than you might realize or expect. It is likely going to be a slow re-entry back into regular life. And, even then, it's not going to be "normal" again for several more months. Things aren't going to magically change overnight.

Time

The journey back to a meaningful life and society is going to take time. It may take many of us several weeks to figure out what we really think or how we feel about what happened or what's to come. That's okay.

Compassion

We need to have compassion for ourselves and those around us because we were "in this together" and have all been impacted. None of us is going to have many answers right away, and even the answers we do have may not work for everyone. We need to be patient with one another as we exhale from what just happened to us.

Gratitude

Soon we will be able to go out and do the things we used to enjoy. It's important to focus on being grateful for those things in our lives and appreciate what they do for us. Not only will that bring a sense of soothing to our weary souls, but it will prevent us from being bitter or resentful. Gratitude has the power to transform us into people who instead are thankful for what we have, which itself has healing value.

Talk About It

Part of healing also includes talking about our experiences. We know that telling the story about events that happen to us helps us process, make sense of, and recover from those events. So while the shutdown may eventually end, we need to keep talking about how we feel and what it was like for us in order to truly move forward.

Remember that as we all re-enter society that we're doing it together - we're still going to be "in this together." We're all going to be learning how to safely socially distance at restaurants, how to enjoy the freedoms we regained without creating fear in others, and how to live life while still being careful not to put ourselves or others at risk.

We're still going to need each other, so stay connected. Be cautious and careful as you re-engage, but enjoy it as it is given to you. Be proud of yourself and those around you for making it through such a tough time, and encourage one another in this next phase. There's going to be a lot to learn, but we'll get through that just like we got through these last couple of months. We can be okay and come out stronger than we were before.

Start Counseling in Tigard, Oregon

Our team of skilled therapists specializes in treatment for anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. We can help you understand how you've been impacted and how you can heal well. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you re-engage, or to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. We offer both face-to-face (in-person) counseling sessions and online video counseling to residents in the state of Oregon.

More Therapy Services at Discover Counseling in Tigard, Oregon

Not only can we help with your anxiety and depression, but we can also help navigate these difficult life transitions. Especially, the grief and loss we are all feeling right now! We know that this is an especially difficult time for engaged couples, couples on the brink of separation or divorce, pregnant, postpartum and parenting people and so many more. Please let us help you navigate this difficult time, however we can.