Life has changed, and life goes on. The pain of losing loved ones, jobs, opportunities and even milestones can cause a person to feel disoriented. Many of us know how that has felt over the last couple of years during the COVID-19 pandemic. We woke up one day realizing that the world would never be the same again, and even still, we may feel lost. Dealing with this change seems like having to lift ten times our body weight just to move an inch. Slowly though, we have been able to get through this new world and have learned how to change. If you are currently stuck in the feeling of hopelessness or if you would like to be a guide to a friend as they move forward with their life during the ongoing pandemic, here are some ways to help.
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Deal with Grief Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross wrote about the “Five Stages of Grief ” that a person goes through as they deal with loss. From denial, anger, bargaining, depression, to acceptance, a person has to go through all of these stages to complete their grieving process. If a friend is grieving, urging them to open up about their feelings isn’t the right solution. Oftentimes, all they need is to know that someone is there. People go through each stage of grief differently, and at different time intervals. Having a support system makes this process much easier. When going through the grieving process, a person can go beyond acceptance. Their grief can inspire them to support relevant charities and causes. Ironic as it may sound, grief can propel a person to change their life for the better.
Detach From Social Media Depending on how it is used, social media can either be a blessing or a curse. Social media updates and communication are great when a person is in control of their thoughts and emotions. But during those moments when a person is more introspective and sensitive, stepping away from social media has its benefits. Browsing social media posts while a person is miserable over a life event may cause them to unnecessarily compare themselves to others or lead to doomscrolling. This may further push them down the depths of melancholy and affect their confidence in moving forward. Detaching from social media is not easy, of course, but it is necessary for many. Uninstalling social media apps is the best option that combats the temptation to open them. Some may also want to consider deactivating their account for a time until they can return with a clear head or setting time limits on social media apps if they do not wish to leave it altogether.
Remember One’s Triumphs When a painful incident gets a person off track, it may feel like they lost their identity. Their life is no longer the same without their loved one, their job or their former lifestyle. It becomes difficult to start over when a person starts to doubt their strengths. When a person starts doubting their skills, recalling past victories can boost their confidence. If they can remember and celebrate their moments of triumph, they can bring out their inner self. Everyone has their share of winning moments. All of us can recollect moments when we’ve won a contest or a game or when we were congratulated for a job well done. As minor as these things may seem, looking back on these past triumphs can help someone to know that this is not the first hurdle they’ve had to overcome.
