COVID-19 Update: I’m no longer driving my own car

The world is changing, and I am definitely in the back seat, more like the last row of the car. I feel like whatever control I had is slipping away from me. With the current “shelter-in-place” mandate, my car remains parked. But the feeling of not driving my own car is there, pervasively infiltrating my life.

Here are a few things I am trying to do; call it an attempt to get back in the driver’s seat:

• Practicing Acceptance: I’m allowing myself to feel the feelings, to sit in the fear that comes with uncertainty. When I am scared, I am trying to acknowledge this, versus jumping to a distraction and discounting the reality of my situation.

• Connecting with Values: I wrote down two of my key values today on post-it notes: compassion and courage. Compassion towards others can only be delivered at its fullest when we practice self-compassion. How can I be kinder to myself today? I can accept myself for who I am today and say “I am enough”. Who can I reach out to today? Everyone is facing a struggle, and a small check-in might help. How can I connect with my value of courage? Right now, my courageous action is just embracing each day as it comes, and that is enough.

May you all find ways to navigate this journey. Sending warmth and love.

This blog post first appeared on April 1, 2020 in Medium.