It Just Occurred to me - I Don't Think I'm Doing Well
I thought I was riding the storm pretty well. Keeping busy, keeping things light-hearted. Making nice meals. But today has been the hardest day for me. We're under lockdown and I'm struggling. I'm not really struggling because of the virus. I am a homebody, and really spend most of my time here, so it doesn't affect me that way. But my family is feeling the effects of all the restrictions, the closures, the inability to do anything. After almost 2 weeks of this, it's wearing on them. There is more irritation, more frustration.
All of this is hitting me today hard, because I can't do anything to fix it. If I didn't set foot outside my house for the next week, it wouldn't bother me (it's happened in the past!). But my spouse and son are different - they're social. They're extroverts.
I hate that they're so miserable, and all of their frustration and struggle just makes me feel terrible. I don't know what I can do to help so that we can all get through the next...who knows how many more weeks of this.
@thoughtfulmomma I'm sorry this situation has been so hard on your family and therefore on you. That's really tough to see people we care about struggling. I read somewhere that many people with a history of anxiety aren't panicking as much as people who never have. The theory is that we're used to panicking internally. We now how to calm ourself down and refute big claims like "the world is going to end". We've been practicing those strategies and activities that we know calm us back down. But for people who don't suffer from anxiety, this feeling is brand new.
Do you remember the first time you felt a large wave of anxiety wash over? How scary it was the first time it happened and you didn't know how to make it go away? This could be how they are feeling. Your family is so lucky to have you because you are there to show them how to relax. You can pull out your relaxing music playlist and have them listen to it, or you can pull out your daily journal and help them start one, or you can include your family on your daily exercise of mindfulness/meditation/gratitude. Whatever you do for yourself, share it with them and hopefully they can start feeling better soon too.
I know this is a stressful time but hopefully this expereince brings you all closer together. That's one silver lining to this own thing.
@SecretlyMe
That's interesting to think about - those of us with anxiety seem to have it a little easier. It does make sense. When you're constantly worried - what's one more worry! :)
@thoughtfulmomma
I understand how you feel. I am to a homebody and would prefer to stay home but i think the situation is really out of our control. The best thing you could do i would say is trying to be positve one in the house and remind them of that there safety is first and we all can use this time to be better.
@Antoniette12
Thanks. I'm trying to stay positive, but am having a lot of up and down moments.
@thoughtfulmomma
yes those moments will come as they should we are all human. But as long as you know to pull yourself out. You guys will be fine.
@thoughtfulmomma
Wow, what a big heart you have, to be so affected by how this is affecting your loved ones.
*Big bear hug*
Sounds like you might be an empath.
I'm sure, even from reading your post, that the sort of loving energy you must bring your family at this difficult time will help them through these hard times.
Take care, also, don't forget to look after yourself too!
Thank you!