Remember Not To Forget (Episode 15)
I recorded this episode on St. Patrick’s Day – and if you haven’t listened to it, I would encourage you to head to the podcast tab on the page and take a listen. I happen to love St. Patrick and the beautiful history of the Apostle of Ireland. If you haven’t done a deep dive, I encourage you to do so. It is hard, but beautiful. Filled with sorrow and redemption.
Initially I thought this week would be an interview episode, however the very topic we were going to talk about was actually something my guest had to walk through this week – physical roadblocks in creativity. She and I will be chatting soon, and I know without a doubt you will be blessed by the words she speaks. While that episode will be put on pause for a bit, it gave me a chance to sit down and put into words some things that I have been processing lately – and I know that many of you have as well.
Here it is March 2021, and we are finally beginning to see a light at the end of this past 12 months of pandemic lockdown and new ‘normal’. Vaccines are rolling out and we are seeing more people receive them and restrictions beginning to lift. God bless science and all those who work in the field of research. These are all good, good things.
Did you know that some of us aren’t super pumped at the thought of heading back into a pre-Covid way of living? For some, me included, this prospect actually creates a sense of panic inside. I have been questioned on that with the statement of, ‘but you’ve already had it – what do you have to be nervous about?’ Well since there is still concern over how it can be spread, I get concerned over anyone else getting it. Trust me, you don’t want to get it. It has been over 2 months and I still cannot smell or taste and I struggle with a constant headache every day – it is exhausting, emotionally draining and it can get overwhelming. Why would I want to rush back into situations where someone else might be exposed – and maybe get an even more severe case?
Beyond that though, I think many of us might be feeling like it took us several months (once we realized that our naiveté of this all being over in a few months was pure fantasy) to settle into a good work-at-home routine and the thoughts of having to change again creates underlying stress. Some of us connected well over Zoom, we established new patterns of rest and began to see how our bodies and minds worked better in places of quiet focus. We saw our productivity rise, not fall. After so long in lockdown, many of us have developed new routines, and new ways of being, and have even gone through changes of priority and meaning in life. In short, many of us will not be leaving lockdown as the same person we entered it.
This is probably not the way many of my extroverted friends are feeling. They are ready to jump back into all the things, go to all the places and eat all the food out. They probably think I am a loon for feeling this way. (Um, as a friendly aside, if you do think that, please don’t tell your introverted people that. It’s not a good thing to do…we all walk different paths of process.) Alas, can I offer some creative approaches to our re-entry for those of us who are feeling that uneasy ball of nerves creeping in now and again?
Go Slow: Transitioning to a new way of life isn't a simple process and it can take time to adjust to the idea of seeing people and going to public places again. Take small steps and don't rush into doing things if you aren't feeling up to it.
UK Counselor & psychotherapist, Gayle Warwick says, "We cannot ignore the psychological impact of the messaging that we have been exposed to over the past year. That message is that social activities are not safe. Even those who are desperate to gather with friends and loved ones will be affected by the 'it's not safe' message. As and when the world becomes safer, it is important to keep up to date with new information, to have compassion for ourselves and to take things at a pace that is comfortable for us rather than being swept along by other people's timelines.”
Show Yourself Grace & Compassion: Re-entry is another big change, and it will be very important to keep mindful and self-aware. We need to eat well, get fresh air, rest often and drink lots of water. All the things we need to do had a pandemic not brought them to the forefront. There will be an expectation of many that we should jump headlong into throwing parties and gathering with all of the family and friends we have been apart from – ASAP. Please remember, you don’t have to do any of those things at a pace that makes you more anxious. And please, if you are someone who is wanting to do all the things, don’t pressure or guilt anyone not there yet. They will get there – grace, grace and more grace.
Create a Routine: For every routine that has been established in the past year, that will need to be changed again, create a new routine, something you know you can count on. We are creatures of habit, which is why big changes can be difficult to cope with. It's important to try to stick to a routine, even when things are different or uncertain. Even getting up at the same time as normal and having lunch at a certain hour can help make us feel more settled. Keep what you are able to keep as solid routines.
Don’t Go It Alone: If you feel like you are spiraling in anxiety and depression – don’t be a hero – please talk to someone. See your doctor if you need to get on medication…even if it is just emergency to deal with anxiety. Talking, prayer and medication are all beautiful partners when it comes to mental health. Don’t go it alone.
Now, let’s talk about some things we don’t want to forget.
Earlier this week on Instagram I shared a post about remembering not to forget. Remember back when this lockdown started, and we all shifted to doing more things at home? We all had these incredible lists of things we were going to learn to do. And many of us learned a lot. Let’s looks at some of the things we said we were going to do:
Learn to bake bread (so much bread was baked)
Be outside more and hike, bike, run, walk
Learn to knit or crochet
Learn to paint
Read more
Write
Spend more time talking to our family
Play more games
Do more puzzles
Learn to cook a new cuisine
Or how about all the things we experienced because we figured out new and clever ways to do the ‘normal’ stuff:
Birthday drive-by parades
Door drops of kindness & coffee
Supporting moms who were suddenly doing school at home with self-care packages
Delivering Dates-In-A-Box to couples who just needed to spend some time in the backyard reconnecting after the kids went to bed
Hosting Zoom Game nights with Jackbox Games and Kahoot
Flooding free little pantries with non-perishable food for those in need
Writing cards
Sitting in the quiet of the early morning because we learned that is when everyone else is still sleeping
Church online…so many people are now attending church who never had before – because we can meet them right where they are and minister to them
Laughing at hysterical memes and TikTok videos
Watching bonds of friendship become so tight through GroupMe, Marco Polo and Duo
Y’all, we cannot forget these things. We can’t walk away from all we have been given in this season. If we do, we lose so much – and so do the generations to come. This time, as hard and sorrow-filled as it has been, has also been filled with sweetness and growth. It has been a gift if we have chosen to receive it. And it will continue to be so if we choose not to forget to remember. Let’s not turn our backs and rush away from all the creative goodness given to us the last 12 months.
Alright – this was another crazy, not normal episode. And yet, it was good to simply sit and record these thoughts that I know I’m not alone in having. We are all so unique and beautiful – I wish we could all sit around a huge table together and share stories of life, love, creativity and laughter. One day maybe we will. And, in the meantime, we sit around a virtual table here at The Creative Table!
Until next time, go out and find a creative way to make someone smile!
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
