In my former post about the Coronavirus pandemic, I opened up about the different reactions I had when it became evident we could not escape the impact of the Covid-19. When pandemics happen, we experience the exact same reactions we have when experiencing losses or when we have been victims of a catastrophe. We go through the stages of grief:
Denial versions:
- It’s a hoax or a false alarm.
- I’m safe, this is happening far away. I won’t be affected
- I’m healthy, no virus will make me sick
- This is only affecting “Other” people.
Anger versions:
- I found who’s guilty – I assign blame on others
- I spread conspiracy theories
- I just feel irritable at the whole situation and the limitations it brought to me
Negotiation versions
- If I pray (meditate, practice yoga or Qigong) I’ll be okay
- I’ll eat better to improve my immune system
- I’ll change my lifestyle to be healthier and protected from the virus
- I understand we’re part of the problem, we need to do something, we need to change the world
Depression
- I should not have…
- I regret…
- Isolation hits hard, I see how much I need my…
- I sleep all the time, have no drive for anything, what’s the point anyhow.
Acceptance
- This is what it is
- I take responsibility for my part
- I learn from this experience and make some changes
- I prepare myself for what’s coming
It’s really sad that what is required of us is to “keep social distance” precisely in times in which we have disconnected so much from each other. I see a slight change in the quality of the messages I receive from friends and acquaintances. An increased, personal, concern for one another. But if individualism is one of the main features of these times, the pandemic can make it worse. We might become more suspicious of others than ever.
Ideally, we can use this pandemic to reflect on the quality of our lives and the relationships we have. Maybe we can stop competing, trying to be the one with the most brilliant idea to see how to build new ideas and solutions conjointly. Maybe now we will see how everything is so interconnected that it’s difficult to function as a society without the contribution of each individual. Maybe we’ll start valuing each individual’s contribution. Maybe…
May you be well
