Decide for yourself how you feel!
I wrote this short text during COVID-19, but it is still valid.
The altered life
The altered life brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is genuinely exhausting. None of us chose this. Things are no longer as they once were at work or at home. The weight of responsibility seems heavier, even as we strive to maintain a semblance of normalcy in our daily lives. It remains arduous, especially as we all slowly realize that COVID-19 will not simply disappear but will continue to accompany us. Offering advice in such moments is challenging, but I will try nonetheless:
I have my elderly parents living with me, a son who is just starting secondary school, and I have lost my primary source of income. Therefore, I dare to share how I best cope with the situation.
This burden of worries and helplessness overwhelms me. It makes me feel like I can no longer stand on two feet.
Additionally, there is my reaction to my environment and daily life. I am in a bad mood. I have no desire or energy to work on my tasks, even though I know I should—and I usually feel much better afterward!
I am sure you are familiar with this. We are currently falling from one black hole into the next. It is annoying, exhausting, and tiring!
You can change the situation
But you can change this situation. Instead of letting excitement and helplessness dictate your feelings, adopt a different perspective.
Do not let emotions dominate and wear you down; take responsibility for your feelings!
Look rationally at your life circumstances and accept the stress and helplessness you feel, which are valid emotions. But as understandable as they are, they have no real impact on reality! They cannot change the facts!
You can decide whether to make anger, fear, and helplessness your constant companions.
At first glance, this may seem daunting. But I promise you that you can defend yourself against these feelings with some practice. You will realize that you can decide how you want to feel in the long run.
For some of us, concerns about our own health and the well-being of our loved ones are troubling. Indeed, the frustration over the many restrictions and changes in daily life also occupies our minds.
For many others, it is much more: numerous people face nothingness. They can no longer work in their professions, have suffered extreme financial losses, and often do not know how to proceed.
What you can do
And here, step by step, is what you can do:
Fear and anger overwhelm and dominate you.
But they are just feelings that will pass.
Once you recognize and accept these valid emotions, you can gently yet firmly set them aside.
Allow yourself to bring a bit of joy and calm into your heart.
Your emotions will no longer chase you but will be the master of your senses. This realization and its implementation are genuinely liberating!
Let's be honest: if we are constantly exposed to dark feelings, they can drag us into darkness. However, by countering these negative emotions with self-care and positive ones, we become stronger, more independent, and better equipped to handle the big and small problems in our lives.
Reading these lines
As I read these lines, I realize that I'm becoming increasingly adept at managing my emotions. This doesn't mean that I suppress them; on the contrary, I fully acknowledge them. You should hear me curse when I'm alone—it's actually helpful for quickly releasing frustration.
However, I've started consciously ensuring that I don't let my feelings drive me or become immersed in them. I still have significant problems to solve in my life, but it works better when I approach them devoid of all emotions—so to speak, stripping away fear, anger, and helplessness piece by piece—and examining them objectively.
About me
My world is filled with love and creativity at home in a charming old house with a wild garden near Darmstadt, Germany. I share this haven with my son, mother, dog Tom, and cats Lilly and Jamie. Books, classical music, and an undying love for coffee and pizza enrich my life. Italy, my second home, beckons me with its allure and inspiration.
I wear many hats – I’m an entrepreneur, writer, busy mom, supportive daughter, and loyal friend. My passions extend to animals, nature, and my vibrant garden. As an artist and traveler at heart, I am, above all, a survivor. My life is a testament to versatility and an openness to new experiences and ideas.
Dive into my world, where resilience meets creativity, and every twist of fate is a journey towards an exceptional life.
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Cheers,
SILKE KRISTIN ❁
✳ be bold. take charge. embrace life. by ❁SILKE KRISTIN JUELICH❁