Lockdown is over, but you’re still miserable. You want to enjoy life, but you can’t.
Despite the fact that you’re finally allowed to leave the house, your deepest desire is to crawl back into your cave, crack open a beer and doomscroll until you pass out on the couch.
Is something wrong with you? Are you broken beyond repair?
Not at all. There are plenty of reasons during life after lockdown to ask yourself, “Why do I still feel like shit?”
Reason #1: COVID Still Exists
Although many morons and conspiracy theorists in the United States would argue otherwise, COVID is still killing people. Quickly and often. Did you know that over 749,000 people have already died? I don’t want to hear that “they’re making up the numbers,” or “they were all sick with something else,” bullshit. Facebook isn’t a news source. People are dying and they’re going to keep dying.
There’s a chance that your parents, your grandma, your neighbor, or your favorite teacher could keel over and die. In fact, there’s a chance that you could croak, too! Granted, there’s always a chance that any of these things could happen – but COVID is forcing you to consider your own mortality and the mortality of the people you love.
We aren’t free from worry. We’re just free to leave the house.
Reason #2: You Can’t Do Whatever You Want
This one has been embarrassingly tough for me. As someone who enjoys booking spontaneous flights and country-hopping, I am struggling. That selfish little asshole in the back of my head keeps whimpering, “I want, I want, I want” – and it’s almost like I want it more because I can’t have it.
What am I, a toddler?
But here’s the truth: it doesn’t matter what you want. You don’t want to wear a mask? Tough shit. You don’t want to practice social distancing? Too fucking bad. Your wants are being sacrificed for the greater good, and you should be okay with that. A little inconvenience isn’t going to kill you – in fact, it might save your life – but a little ignorance sure as hell could.
Reason #3: Humankind is Depressing
I’ve always believed that people are inherently good. COVID has caused my (perhaps overly optimistic) view of humankind to come crashing to the ground. Science-deniers, racists and religious zealots seem to be everywhere – and, what’s worse – they’re running the show.
Are there still good people doing good things? Yes, absolutely. But they’re not nearly as noisy or in your face as the idiots that seem to pollute your newsfeed (and the White House).
Ok, Now What?
The way I see it, we have one of two options:
- Continue to wallow in misery
- Find gratitude despite the misery (I recommend this option.)
Let’s get real: you’re not helping anyone from the armpit of your couch. Stop giving your energy to slack-jaw racists on Facebook and limit your exposure to the news. Barring any extenuating circumstances – you’ve lost a loved one, you’re homeless, you don’t know where your next meal is coming from etc. – COVID presents a unique opportunity for you to take control of your mindset.
Start small. Did you sleep in a bed last night? Are you loved? Do you have the ability to open your windows and breathe fresh air?
Keep going. Do you have a skill? Did you get an education? Do you have clothes that fit you? In this moment, are you safe?
Focusing on the good stuff doesn’t mean that you’re oblivious to the bad. It means that you’re prioritizing your mental health so you can show up for yourself and the people that need you.
As Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Be a helper. Find other helpers. Focus on how you can be a source inspiration in your home and your community. And when you’re tired and sad? Well, it’s okay to be tired and sad, too.
Want more Madison? Send her a message to talk shop about marketing, mobility, and life after lockdown.
