It has been a while guys. My apologies. The steady exponential increase in Covid-19 cases has clearly taken more of a toll on me than I realized. Trinidad and Tobago is now in a State of Emergency, and if we really think about it, it was inevitable. The health care system is struggling to keep up, the Brazilian variant is here and some people continue to break the rules and endanger the population by having parties or just moving around unnecessarily. It feels like all that progress up to March this year was all for nothing. Meanwhile we still have to function in the midst of this mess, surrounded by people who act like or proclaim that this crisis isn’t real. It is exhausting.
I recently came across a term that really resonated with me called languishing. It basically describes the feeling of apathy or “bleh” as I like to call it which has become so prevalent during this pandemic. What we thought would fizzle out in a year lingers on and we are forced to be productive and just function in general because of course life goes on. The video below gives some great insights into languishing and what we can do to combat it:
My key takeaways from the video are:
1. We are not alone. It is clear that so many of us have been struggling with this but were unable to pinpoint what the issue was. It is almost a relief to know that it has a name and that there are ways we can manage the feelings of stagnation and sadness.
2. Find small wins. I love the idea of creating small goals for yourself that you can achieve during the pandemic to help you feel a sense of accomplishment. For example, maybe you can clear the clutter in your bedroom, or do that short course you are interested in that keeps popping up. Setting goals for yourself can help take you through the pandemic. Once one is completed, set another and keep going.
3. Find your flow. The video spoke about getting into a flow with whatever task you are doing meaning to immerse yourself in the activity. That helps to take your mind away from the reality we currently face. Although we need to be aware it can be very heavy to think about all the time and can really get you in an unhappy state. Find those activities that you enjoy and thoroughly engross yourself in them.
4. Prioritize self-Care. I sometimes find it so difficult to do my night-time routine but always remind myself that I have to do it and that I always enjoy it. We tend to put ourselves on the back-burner, especially if we have children, but we really must make the time to ensure that we are good to go. If not, we really are of no use to anyone. I notice lately that I am getting easily irritated; in the video it was mentioned that this is a symptom of languishing. Making time for self-care is a very conscious decision. Whatever form that may take for you, just make sure to get it done.
So you are languishing. That’s ok. However, now that you know what is going on, make sure you actively work on it. It is a mental health concern after all, and we know how important that aspect of our health is. You can still be productive remotely, you can still be there for your family. Continue to stay safe, follow the protocols and take care of yourself.
Have a great week!
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