While COVID-19 rages, relationships change in many ways.
People living and working in tight quarters are having to recalibrate their relationships. This can be positive if done well with a focus on the age old questions: What's your's, what's mine, and what is our's? These questions help us to think about who we are as individuals and who we are as friends and family members. To respect each others individuality while also reaching for common ground is a positive way to build a good relationship.
A simple example of this occurred the other night as my husband and I planned to watch a movie together. We couldn't agree on a a movie genre or title and ended up with a film that was unappealing to both of us. We were both frustrated. We talked about it, and then the next day I spent some time researching and making a list of films that I knew would appeal to both of us--renown films that have the attributes of that we both enjoy including wonderful scenery, deep and perplexing characters, mystery, humor, and both depth and levity.
Also, as people try to take some control and make some structure within these uncharted waters, we may get upset or frustrated with one another. This frustration may arise simply from the fact that we recognize what we want and find interesting is very different from what a friend or loved one may desire. For example, I like to go deep with experiences like this. I like to pull them apart to understand all that is happening with depth while other friends and family members like to keep it light with a predictable routine and happy activities. They're not interested in the deep analysis. With the exception of the need to be compassionate, open minded, informed, and smart about the details of this crisis, there is not a right way or wrong way to navigate your time at home. Everyone will deal with this differently depending on their circumstances, interests, and future plans. We have to be mindful and respectful of this variation.
This isn't the time to be judgmental unless you are speaking out against people's harmful directives or actions. In most cases, we have to let people navigate this event with as much support, good listening, and encouragement as possible. We have to be flexible too as the face of this pandemic will change over time and we cannot specifically predict what those changes will be or how those changes will affect us.
So as I think of the myriad of ways people are reacting to this viral event, I want to remind myself that it's time to elevate compassion, open-mindedness, acceptance, and care. These are the characteristics that will support good relationships now and into the future.
People living and working in tight quarters are having to recalibrate their relationships. This can be positive if done well with a focus on the age old questions: What's your's, what's mine, and what is our's? These questions help us to think about who we are as individuals and who we are as friends and family members. To respect each others individuality while also reaching for common ground is a positive way to build a good relationship.
A simple example of this occurred the other night as my husband and I planned to watch a movie together. We couldn't agree on a a movie genre or title and ended up with a film that was unappealing to both of us. We were both frustrated. We talked about it, and then the next day I spent some time researching and making a list of films that I knew would appeal to both of us--renown films that have the attributes of that we both enjoy including wonderful scenery, deep and perplexing characters, mystery, humor, and both depth and levity.
Also, as people try to take some control and make some structure within these uncharted waters, we may get upset or frustrated with one another. This frustration may arise simply from the fact that we recognize what we want and find interesting is very different from what a friend or loved one may desire. For example, I like to go deep with experiences like this. I like to pull them apart to understand all that is happening with depth while other friends and family members like to keep it light with a predictable routine and happy activities. They're not interested in the deep analysis. With the exception of the need to be compassionate, open minded, informed, and smart about the details of this crisis, there is not a right way or wrong way to navigate your time at home. Everyone will deal with this differently depending on their circumstances, interests, and future plans. We have to be mindful and respectful of this variation.
This isn't the time to be judgmental unless you are speaking out against people's harmful directives or actions. In most cases, we have to let people navigate this event with as much support, good listening, and encouragement as possible. We have to be flexible too as the face of this pandemic will change over time and we cannot specifically predict what those changes will be or how those changes will affect us.
So as I think of the myriad of ways people are reacting to this viral event, I want to remind myself that it's time to elevate compassion, open-mindedness, acceptance, and care. These are the characteristics that will support good relationships now and into the future.