I have been desperately trying to write something for days now. I have an essay to finish and a manuscript to write but I cannot seem to motivate myself to do it. As for my blog, there is so much to write about with the pandemic affecting everyone’s mental health. But, whenever I sit down to write, none of the words that come out seem significant enough to put together.
As a writer, I already work from home. As a distance learner with The Open University, I already study from home. Therefore, I thought that with everything changing in the world, my home routine would be the one thing that would remain constant. But, although my working and study life hasn’t changed, at the same time, everything has changed. Suddenly the framework in which I’m working and studying feels completely different. Nothing has the same meaning. In fact, nothing has any real meaning now. Everything pales into insignificance in comparison to the coronavirus outbreak.
Experiencing A ‘Collective Shock’
I feel as if I am paralyzed. It is as much as I can do to just get through the day. Trying to do anything productive feels like I’m wading waist-deep in treacle. I am hearing many people mention feeling a similar way. Bloggers, writers, and students suddenly are frozen with creative block and zero motivation. All of us on the one hand happy to have extra time on our hands to study and write, but absolutely no ability to use that time productively. I think I am in shock. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if we are all in a kind of collective shock.
Adjusting To The New Normal
In the midst of our shock, we are all waking up to this new normal. The new normal that we have all been plunged into together. A new normal where our lives are changed beyond all recognition. It is a benefit on the one hand that we are all as blind as each other, in not knowing what is going to happen one day to the next. However, usually, when a crisis happens to us, we can go to someone for advice. Usually, we know someone who’s has gone through what we are going through. But none of us have been through this before. Nobody has any frame of reference for this event. We are all thrown into this new normal together and we are all learning to swim at the same time.
Finding A New Meaning
We will adapt. Humankind has an incredible ability to adapt. However, it is going to take time. Especially because the enemy is invisible. Especially because the enemy calls for us to change our human nature as social animals and lock ourselves away for the benefit of all. In the meantime, how can we cope? How can we get on with our daily lives and find some meaning?
Give Ourselves Space
I am primarily giving myself space and allowing whatever feeling arises to have space too. While it would be wonderful to use all this free time to create, write, clean the house, learn a new hobby and so on, that’s currently not where I am at. That’s OK. I am doing what I can and not being myself up about the things I can’t do.
Find A New Routine
I’m also trying to bring some sense of order into my day, even on a day when I’m not getting much done. So, I’m getting up and getting dressed. If that’s all I manage, it’s OK.
When it comes to working and dealing with the lack of motivation, I’m using short chunks of time. Using a Pomodoro technique and doing 20-minute time slots with breaks in between. This way, I am gradually chipping away at my essay and my manuscript. Again, it’s about doing what I can, celebrating the small wins and not beating myself up about the things I can’t do.
Keep Moving
I’m moving around the house a lot. Usually, I would work in cafes and the library for a change of scenery. With us in the UK in partial lockdown, that is no longer possible. So, I am instead working in a different room every hour. Even moving around the same room. Working with my laptop on the sofa. Moving to the dining table. Moving to the bedroom. This is helping to break up the day and keep me motivated.
Staying active is also important. There are many online workouts currently on offer. And, for those of us still permitted to go outside, we must use that time. Even if it’s just outside the front door. Go outside, raise your eyes to the sky, lift your arms, and breathe deeply.
Connect With Others
Connecting with others is vital. Luckily, we live in a digital age and therefore social distancing does not have to leave anyone cut off from others. We need each other more than ever now. We are in this together. Each of us learning how to manage this new normal. Connecting online we can share coping strategies and help to lift each other on bad days.
Give Ourselves Time To Adjust to The New Normal
I would like to have a better routine. I’d like to feel braver. I would like to have wiser words, more optimism, and more to offer others. But we cannot always be upbeat and that’s OK. It is all about going with the flow right now. We are experiencing an unprecedented crisis and adjusting to this new normal will take time. In this adjustment phase, it is progress, not perfection which matters the most. And it isn’t the absence of fear which makes us brave, but the ability to keep moving forward one step and one day at a time.
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[…] Even if you aren’t tagged, please do feel free to let me know your Silver Linings in the comments below. And, if you want to read about other ways I am adjusting to the pandemic, check out my post on Adjusting to The New Normal. […]
Great post!! Love the reminder that we are all figuring out our new normal!
Yes we are indeed, and its going to take time!