SURVIVAL GUIDE TO COVID-19 ANXIETY

from Ignited Woman - Feb/Mar 2021

GETTING YOUR PROMOTION

By Maleshoane Tlhabang 11Eleven ways to deal with Covid-19 anxiety

The air is filled with such a heaviness, a lingering dark cloud that is unrelenting. Death, fear, job losses – all reek, causing a sense of apprehension that humanity has not had to face in a long time.

Pray, meditate and rest – this Covid-19 is a lot

ore people are expe attacks due to what through. As muchM rien the cing worl a d nx is iety going as this can be overwhelming especially for people with limited contact to family and friends, you are not alone in all this heaviness. It does not help that we are physically isolated from one another, which in itself presents fewer options for consolation.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do on a daily basis to get your mind off things.

Practice these regularly. When boredom strikes get in that long meeting with yourself.

It is absolutely okay if you don’t want to do anything, but do not fall into the trap and camp in the doing nothing space. Do one small, different task daily. Then celebrate that small win on that day. Then hug yourself.

Open your heart to love, forgiveness and kindness and free yourself from any more heaviness.

Preserve your peace and sanity. Let other things go, you can’t carry more than what we going through now.

I cannot stress this enough.

Breathe...breathe...breathe.

Maleshoane Tlhabang is an Organisational relationship Systems Coach. She assists clients with self-worth and empowerment assist clients to release fear, self-sabotage, childhood traumas and thoughts that hold them back from achieving their true potential.

She can be reached on 074 694 9326 for assistance or questions on dealing with anxiety.

Some activities that can keep your mind off things

Breath (do your breathing exercises) take a walk...it doesn’t have to be a long walk. Do this in your yard. Please remember to breathe in deeply let your breath out slowly. Do this repeatedly standing or sitting in an upright position. This you can Google.

Go back to your gratitude list re-write what you are grateful for. Count them out 1 by 1. Look for more to add.

Do gardening, connect with nature. Walk barefoot on your grass, don’t wear gloves and work the soil with your hands. Let your bum touch the ground as you work the soil. Pick up your flowers, smell them.

Please hydrate and get vitamin D, spent at least 20minutes on direct sunlight.

Do your beauty routine ladies (facials, hair, nails, make-up) doll up. Take a long hot shower or bath or you can choose to be in your comfy lounge clothes.

Go on social media fast for hours or even for a day. Identify your triggers and stay away from them.

Pray, meditate and rest.

Bless someone...

Play with kids, let the inner child come out to play, these small people have healing and soothing powers.

Go on and arrange your playlist, listen to some good music and dance. You can get that hymn book and sing from it as well.

Dance like no one is watching..

A Soul Healer

STEPPING INTO HER MUSIC

By Basetsana Makhalemele

oet extraordinaire JahRose, real name

Nthabiseng Jafta, is a soul-builder. Over the years, the anthologist, publisher and curator from Phelindaba in Bloemfontein has worked intensely on her artistic projects speaking to those seeking to hear the voice of truth. She opens a door to her orchestrated life and her world of transitioning.

"To be honest I have come to realize that we fall in the path of those who went before us as per our lineages - whether we know it or not. As time passes the veil of self-forgetfulness unveils and it all makes sense why and when things happen the way they do, " she says.

Suddenly "an introvert’s voice is on the page, that’s how it all started. I just wanted to be heard; more like read, ” says the artprenuer who recently graduated from Academy for Women Entrepreneurs sponsored by the U.S Embassy and University of the Free State.

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She completed a management and leadership development course and is currently studying towards a Masters in Creative Writing with Rhodes University.

A power move for self-empowerment.

Milestones

Anyone who has had a glimpse of this shining star over the past few years has seen that JahRose has done tremendous work to build her name and is still doing so.

Her work has exposed her internationally, and left a mark in countries, such as China-Beijing, Kunshan and Malawi ‘Mangochi’ just to name a few. "I have so many milestones but China-Beijing and Kunshan ‘poetry and poetics across languages changed my perspectives in so many ways, about the power of translations, publishing, owning my music, creating spaces for your art and going back to school, " she affirms.

aving been in the industry for almost two decades has given her street cred and insight into the workings of an often unrewarding industry. Street cred aside the years have also give JahRose an opportunity to work with various other creative including AlahYen, Kaya, Dj Lemmy, Flame Unit music, John Paka, Nonkosi Sokoyi ‘Miss Noxy ’ , Hector Kunene, Dumelang ‘Bondo’ Tsepo and On Point Music Band and many others and open for more. Her advice to writers: “do not get into the business of waiting but that of writing” .

She believes that the only resource a writer needs is a pen and paper. Unlike inspiration – an abstract notion many often seek before starting to work – pen and paper are readily available, she says. "So write.

After 17 years the question is what has sustained her in this tough industry?

"Humility. God sustains the humble and renews the strength of the weary, " for it is a rough field and you need to hold by the strings of faith and self-belief, for there are seasons when you are literally sinking from life’s blows and knocks, says the anthologist.

HShe insists that taking care of the business side of giving people art is vital.

"After writing, understand the business of writing for you will have a product to help you navigate your way, " she says.

Now to the big transition

She started writing songs before writing poems, but trusted the spoken voice than her singing voice.

"The critic in me is rising, so yeah I am investing in my music now, " says JahRose.

After years of doing poetry, she is expanding her artistic world of selfexpression. She is transitioning into the music industry and diversifying her portfolio. "Music needs confidence, I needed to gather tons of it before releasing my poems in song. "I write poems and put melodies with a live band and now work with DJs and producers, " she says. She recently released a single in Jamaica and it is now available on YouTube. With this release she hopes followers and supporters see a different side of her.

“My hope for venturing into music is to give me space to unwind and have fun. When I win in this quest, that’s exactly what my music consumers will hopefully get as well. Healing, ” she says. On the business side of poetry/ performing art, Jahrose says there is a handful paying festivals in this country, but there’s more in the continent and far more across the globe. You have to decide for yourself where you want to be positioned.