I’m tired. Like many folks, I am feeling the weight of the last 12 months.
It has certainly been a long hard year and our community has stepped up throughout to support each other to stay safe, strong and positive. Truly this is an amazing place with amazing people! Throughout the pandemic I have tried to send messages about practicing kindness and compassion in community and coming from a place of non-judgement. I have also grown tired of the same message.
My thoughts today are more about being kind to ourselves. The isolation, stress and effects of the pandemic are just starting to be felt. One year out. Anxiety, depression, reliance on unhealthy coping mechanisms and addictions, raw nerve endings, impatience, fatigue, lack of motivation are just some of the issues coming up. I’m pretty sure I can check all of those experiences at some point in the past 12 months. So, my message today is to be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, the pandemic has and will continue to take a toll and it is OK if we are not feeling strong. I encourage us all to reach out to loved ones, professionals or any sort of support to help get us through the last part of this marathon and the months to come.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around mental health services, a perception that they are not necessary or a sign of weakness. I wish this wasn’t true and encourage you to find support where available. I think it is important to recognize how we are feeling, be patient with those feelings and share them where appropriate. There are vaccines and hope on the horizon. Personally, I’m tired and anxious to gather, hug, get back to a sense of normalcy and lift the grey, heavy blanket of stress that’s been over me for the last year. It will happen and we will get there together. In the meantime, I wish you all the best,
Mike