I am now on day 20 of practicing self-containment and social distancing. I will admit, I am going a little stir crazy because although I am an introvert, I love my yearly speaking seasons. I realize that being in front of people and sharing my story, on how I have built confidence in myself and my life through “honoring my truths,” keeps me feeling inspired in my message and purpose. Looking at the days that have now passed by on the calendar (since human life got upended) and now looking forward at unknown blank-day, after another, I presently feel overwhelmed, confused, and anxious. I am guessing I am not alone.
Since it is uncertain if life will begin to resume again by the end of April, May or 18 months from now, I feel it is time for us all to use this slow down to think more deeply about how we feel in our lives and in our bodies.
As you slow down, ask yourself – How do I feel about my work-life balance? How do I feel about my personal relationships? How do I feel in my body and my life?
For some, you may have been feeling, “On top of the world!” before our world got slammed with a pandemic. For others, you may have been feeling your lives becoming more and more draining, with little time to truly think about your past, your present, and what you have learned about yourself, so far in life.
If you are like me, and are feeling a little more anxious the longer this pandemic rages on, then it may be helpful to first get offline and stay focused on everything that presently and tangibly surrounds you. If you are working from home, or if you are laid off and have nothing else to do but hang out at home, it may be helpful for you to do one or more of the following, in order to work on introspection:
- Grab a book off your shelf that you have been meaning to get to, but never feel like you have the time to truly sit down and read.
- Grab a book off your shelf that you have already read, but have always found it to be comforting and inspiring.
- Search through your closets, totes, or boxes to find old photo albums, toys or writing from your past.
- Pick up a piece of paper, and a pencil or pen, and begin doodling again while listening to your favorite album or collection of artists.
- Place your fingers on a musical instrument, either for the first-time ever, or first-time in a very long time.
- Sit outside and have the sun shine on your face as the birds chirp, and squirrels run about with their recent nut-forage in their cheeks.
- Begin searching for a new hobby, or picking one up that you’ve missed.
- Get reconnected in your relationships with people through FaceTime, or sit down with your romantic partner and begin fantasizing about your life together, from when you first met – to what you wish for in the future.
The more we are all able to take a breath, relax in this life pause, and connect our past and present with hopes for our future, the more we can ease our anxiety. I want to thank everyone who has been adhering to self-containment and social distancing due to not being seen as an essential business or employee. I want to thank everyone out there on the front lines still working during this volatile time. I want to send the deepest of gratitude to the healthcare workers that are working tirelessly and endlessly to help save lives, and be with those that we are losing at a rapid pace.
Let us all never forget the importance of health care, factual knowledge, and how we are all helping guide each other’s lives.
I am currently working on my third book, Finding Me: A Journey to Self-Discovery (Scout Publishing, 2021). For readers that find comfort in my writing, feel free to check out my other books Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life (Scout Publishing, 2012) and Transforming Manhood: A trans man’s quest to build bridges and knock down walls (Scout Publishing, 2019).
