I think all Americans have experiencd pandemic stress and anxiety in the past year. For most of us, that stress and anxiety has hit in all kinds of ways, greater and less, throughout the pandemic. When this anxiety and stress hit the most, it is debilitating. The great surges come when we acknowledge the losses--lost friends/family members, loss of seeing and being with those we love, loss of the good times we looked forward to, loss of opportunity, and the great losses of being able to take care of yourself or family.
But for now, as the end of the pandemic is on the horizon, we simply have to stay the course with as much compassion, empathy, and care for one another as we can find and provide. When we reach our breaking points, we have to be compassionate with ourselves and acknowledge our shortfalls to our loved ones, and when our loved ones reach their breaking points, we have to find ways to help them, comfort them, and empower them to stay the course.
There is pandemic fatigue everywhere. Fatique amongst the good public leaders who have truly tried to mitigate the pandemic threats and harm. There is fatigue amongst public service- and front line-workers who have had to alter their ways greatly in order to try to stay safe while doing their work with and for those they serve too. There is stress amongst colleagues, family members, and partners who desire a return to so many of the practices that kept their relationships strong in the past--practices not possible now due to the threat of pandemic spread.
So, we must push forward with the positivity we can find. Keep looking for those silver linings and creating ways to make the days warm, loving, positive, and fruitful. Reach out when you need more or different to increase your strength and will to survive this tough time. Give what you can when you can to help others too. We can do this.