When Times Get Tough, Look Within
Everything seems overwhelming. The news, social media, and just existence in general. I don’t know about you, but I am taking things one day at a time.
Lowering Expectations
I have lowered expectations of myself and others, and by doing so, I have been able to appreciate the small things. I make an effort to converse with patrons in the grocery store, even if it’s commenting on the look of their winter jacket. I’ve been picking up the calls from numbers on my phone that I don’t recognize because the person on the other end might need to hear someone ask how their day is going. Having positive interactions and connections are important, and acknowledging that others likely feel the same way I do, has been my driving factor.
Simple Pleasures
Before the Pandemic, I craved the hustle. But since March 2020, I have reaped the rewards of noticing what is in front of me every day.
Enjoying simple pleasures like the birds chirping outside my window or seeing the large snowflakes fall from the sky has brought me joy. The simple pleasures have brought me back to a place of gratefulness. Last July, My husband and I bought a 50 acres farm field in Prince Edward County. The price was fair, and even though we have no immediate plans for it, being able to walk across it and dream has given me a tremendous amount of pleasure.
Realistic Work Load
I realized early in the Pandemic that I couldn’t run my business as usual. I wasn’t able to be as available, and I couldn’t work the long days; I couldn’t take on many new clients. Besides having small children at home with me while attempting to work, I too felt the uncertainty of what living through a Pandemic meant and felt like, and I laid clear rules for myself, and they were to “do my best every day.” Doing my best means listening to myself, my emotional needs for the day, and my mood. It is easy to understand how these outside distractions can influence our moods. I honour my time by sharing what to expect from me with my clients. I am open about the struggles a working parent with young children has. I have created manageable boundaries, which has taken the pressure off me. Being open and honest about your workload, not just with yourself but with those you work with, will give you a sense of relief and a release.
Connecting With Your Tribe
Now, your tribe might look different these days, but there are people out there that love and care about you and those the ones you want to stay in regular contact with. The connections I keep the closest are the ones I have most in common with these days. If you are yearning for connection, reach out to those you love and care for, or miss, because they are probably seeking connection too.
Find Your Social Media Family
Social media can feel like a black hole, but it is really about who we choose to follow. If what is in front of you makes you feel stressed or irritable, then block or delete. Wonderful and moving people can change your mood and leave you feeling inspired, and those are the ones you should be following.
I have created my top list of Instagram Accounts that are remarkable and inspirational:
- Well, ME, duh – Follow me at @matchmecanada.ca and/or @rebeccacoopertraynor
- @yung_pueblo
- @mel.robbins
- @case.kenny
- @corymuscara
- @jayshetty
- @ronwritings
- @the.holistic.psychologist
Start Planning For The Future
I had found this to be incredibly helpful. Setting future goals for myself of what I want to accomplish and what plans I look forward to. I have not yet set dates but am enjoying the planning stages.
Some things on the list of my plans are:
- A Monthly Supper Club with friends where we’ll take turns hosting
- Weekend Getaways With Extended Family
- Visiting the Toronto Zoo and Canada’s Wonderland with my kids
- A Weekend Getaway with my husband
No matter what, there will be a day where there will be a glimpse of normalcy, and I am hoping when that happens, I can take what I learned about myself during the Pandemic and keep applying it to my life going forward. My biggest takeaway is that life is precious, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for everything that I have.
If you are suffering and need help right away, there is help there for you. Contact a counsellor or therapist in your area and book an appointment, or use this link BetterHelp – Help us match the right therapist for you
