Anxiety, Social Distancing & Other Thoughts

Wow. This has been the craziest past few weeks – I came home for spring break thinking I’d be back for a week and then off to finish my senior year at TCU. And now here I am in California finishing classes online, commencement is postponed until August, with no clue how I’m going to get my stuff from Texas to California before my lease is up! It’s a lot to process, and I’m sure everyone is feeling overwhelmed in some aspect. As disappointed as I am in not being able to finish out school on campus and with my friends, I would so much rather get COVID-19 behind us and I know this is the best way to do it!

I am feeling a whole lot of feelings these days and the main one is anxiety. I haven’t discussed this much on here or in general, but I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and have been on medication for it since October. And while medication has helped me A LOT the past few months , this whole COVID-19 situation has me feeling more anxious than usual – anxious about getting sick, about my friends or family getting sick, and for those who don’t have the privilege or resources to stay healthy. Honestly, I’m feeling scared.

I’m so so lucky to be able to be home with my family right now, and that I don’t have to worry about finding a job (at least not right this minute) or taking care of kids or family members or so many other things that I know a lot of people have to juggle during this time. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not experiencing anxiety. I think we are all dealing with it differently and in our own ways. I know this situation isn’t ideal for anyone. I mean let’s be real – it doesn’t matter how much you love your family, no one wants to spend this long cooped up inside together. Yes it can be boring. Yes it can be sad. And if you’re feeling sad or anxious like me, therapy can help! Or even just talking to someone you trust. But what’s making me the most anxious is that so many people aren’t taking social distancing seriously. So let’s talk…

SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Please. Stay. Home.

Social distancing does not mean hang out with friends you don’t live with at your place or their place. Especially not multiple different friends. I know it can be frustrating, and I know it can be lonely. And honestly even boring some days. But your boredom is not worth someone else’s well-being. I just cannot stress enough how much it angers me to see people, especially teenagers and young adults, hanging out with friends and going places as if nothing is going on. I know FaceTime isn’t the same, but right now it’s what we’ve got. Let’s be grateful we even have the technology to see and talk with loved ones when we can’t physically be together!

Sorry, I know this post has been a bit of a downer, but I felt liked I needed to get this all out. So let’s end on a high note. There are a lot of things right now we can’t control, but there are some things we can control! And that’s what’s making me feel better about everything that’s going on in the world. Here are some things I’m doing that I can control that make me feel happier, and less anxious:

• Staying home & social distancing!
• FaceTiming friends
• Working out via livestream
• Going on walks
• Sitting outside
• Reading
• Baking
• Puzzles or games
• Watching shows with my family
• Organizing/cleaning
• Disney+

What are you doing to stay positive right now? I’m all ears for more ideas (I’m even thinking of trying out needlepointing!). Stay healthy friends!

xx, c