Mental And Emotional Stages That I’ve Been Through with the Current Situation

The most certain thing in life is uncertainty..

Did you panic when the current situation started? Hey, Remember, no matter what stage you’re at in dealing with this uncertainty, it has an end and we will all get through this together. I want to share the stages that I’ve gone through and as time goes by everything makes sense to me.

STAGE 1: SELF-DENIAL

When the chaos started, I didn’t want to believe that this is happening. I was in denial. It feels surreal and like the stories we have seen in the movies. It’s like the worst nightmare has manifested. I wanted to live as normal because I didn’t want to believe as a huge change is coming. I did’nt care and ignored what I have seen in the news and social media.

STAGE 2: BELIEVE AND PANIC

Eventually, I did believe that a huge change is happening. Something similar is what we have seen in movies and it’s happening in real life. I started to panic when my company decided to shut down temporarily. I started to worry, “HOW AM I GOING TO SURVIVE WITHOUT INCOME?” “HOW AM I GOING TO PAY THE RENT AND MY BILLS?” “HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO BE IN THIS SITUATION?” I looked around and everyone is panicking too.

STAGE 3: ANXIOUS

After panicking, I have calmed down, however, I am now in an anxious stage. More and more question were running in my mind. Watching the news was giving me more stress. I tried to check out some of my friends and family but we were all in the same stage and it didn’t help me at all. I started to feel weak and sick, I was exhausted. I didn’t want to do anything and I shut myself to other people. I feel so paranoid that even looking out the window scares me. I thought I was losing my sane.

STAGE 4: ACCEPT AND LET GO

Being anxious doesn’t make anything better, it affects my mental health. Thank God I passed the anxious stage and started to accept the change. The negative news is here to stay. I have realised that i can’t keep living in this state of fear. I decided to gradually avoid negative stuff that triggers negative feelings and thoughts within me. And I felt better and carried on with my life. I am lucky enough to have someone next to me who understands and supports me.

STAGE 5: ADJUST

Change is scary because we don’t know what it comes with change. Now that I’m out of work, locked-down at home and I am adjusting my temporary lifestyle. I am trying to use my temporary free time doing the things I love to do. Check out my recent blog about WHAT TO DO TO LOOK AFTER OUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING QUARANTINE. There’s nothing we can do but to keep ourselves safe. Looking after our physical and mental health is vital at this moment. In times like this, I practice gratitude more.

Change becomes easier when we never let ourselves be too comfortable with anything. I realised that we should always remind ourselves that change can happen anytime. Just staying still and practice to be afloat in the present.

Which stage are you at the moment? Please write it on the comment below. I would like to know so we can support each other even through this blog. I hope everyone is well and able to enjoy your time at home.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Until the next one.

Lots of love,

Rainne