Sometimes we attend events that knock us out of our comfort zone. We may or may not anticipate that discomfort or unexpected reaction, but nevertheless, we experience the effects. What do those events say about us.
Recently I had an experience like that, and when I returned home, I sought anything that would comfort me. I was surprised that such an ordinary event would create such stress. Why?
First, COVID-19 definitely played a role. It has been a while since most of us lived life the way we used to live life, and that affects our experience of life. To always have a sense of fear and worry about you creates discomfort. This makes you realize how great it was to comfortably gather prior to the COVID-19 virus.
And, sometimes events, even ordinary events, awaken feelings and ideas in us that have been dormant for a while, and that can create some stress. The stress doesn't have to be related to bad feelings or troubling ideas, but simply related to energy-creating emotions and thoughts.
In many ways, I've been living in a cocoon during COVID-19. I've ventured little and when I have ventured it has been highly scripted. There's been less serendipity and surprise.
So, as more and more people become vaccinated and we do venture out, we need to be ready for the discomfort we'll likely feel and it's good to prepare for that. What can we do to prepare?
Keep your expectations low
Don't attend events with too-high and too-many expectations, keep your expectations in check and be ready for the unexpected. Find joy in the simple pleasures that occur.
Have a few lines ready
You're likely to be placed in a position where you really don't know what to say about the long COVID-19 hiatus. You may not want to talk about it at all. Have a few simple, friendly lines available to thwart uncomfortable conversations.
Take your time
You don't have to enter the world of events again with gusto. Take your time and find ways to enjoy events and circumstances simply.
We're not going to regain the life that was before COVID-19 as we've all changed somewhat during this pandemic time, but we can inch towards a post-COVID-19 life that's joyful, a life that includes the lessons we learned about ourselves, others, and life in general in the days ahead. Onward.