A Word for Uncertain Times

These are uncertain times. None of us were prepared for this, but we are forced to live in this moment in time. Global deaths are rising, and we now have more confirmed cases in the United States than anywhere else in the world. We have only tested a tiny fraction of the population.

Even the most conservative guesses about what will happen is frightening. People in our lives will most likely suffer. Every one of us will probably be personally affected by COVID-19.

I don’t write any of this lightheartedly. Sometimes the truth is scary, but I would rather have a frightening truth than a comforting lie. If you want to learn more about the pandemic with unflinching scientific data, check out the guide on Ars Technica. This is a time to be science-based, not pundit-based.

Many of us have never faced anything like this pandemic. Facing the unknown can provide a lot of challenges and a significant amount of stress.

You are allowed to be stressed. You are allowed to be afraid. You are allowed to be angry. You are human, and your feelings are valid.

Please make space to feel your feelings. All of this is new for us, and our feelings need space to help us in this process. Shoving them down and ignoring them are unhelpful here. Taking time to get to know ourselves a little more is worth it.

If you’re feeling anxious, you’re not alone.

If you’re feeling brave, you’re not alone.

If you’re feeling numb, you’re not alone.

Every one of us is feeling something in this moment, and it does us no good to deny that. Children and adults alike are feeling every emotion right now. None of us know how to go about life in a pandemic like this, so there is no right answer.

But there are wrong answers.

Telling others how they should feel is a wrong answer. Selfish hoarding and violent actions are wrong answers. Lying about your feelings, to friends, family, and strangers, is a wrong answer.

We should be empathetic, selfless, kind, and honest.

We were created with feelings, so none of our feelings are wrong. It is what we do with those feelings that cause us to err.

If you are anxious, please know that it is OK to be afraid, but take time to breathe and find contentment.

If you are angry, please know that it is probably coming out of a place of fear, so take time focus your energy on something productive.

We must take our feelings and channel them to something productive. Humanity is ingenious in their creativity in times of hardship. Everything is slowing down, so we have to be intentional with our time and our actions.

Text your friends.

Set up video chats with others.

Play games with your family.

Read that book you’ve been meaning to read.

Memorize a poem.

Breathe.

Wash your hands.

Stay at home.

Breathe again.

This is a scary time, but we need not be overwhelmed. Let’s take this moment to intentionally connect with each other, to learn more about the world around us, and to get to know ourselves just a little more.

Dear reader, you are alive in this moment, and I am so happy that you are. Reach out if you need or want someone to talk to: to me or to someone else. You are not alone.