It feels like life has stopped. We were living our lives, moving from one thing on the schedule to the next. We were taking steps to achieve some important goals—maybe haltingly or maybe swiftly and confidently. And now this. And it feels like whatever progress we’ve made these past months has been swallowed up in a sea of uncertainty.
I wish I could tell you I had some magic advice to help us all weather these next weeks or months. I don’t. I alternate between a cautious equanimity and determination to use this time in healthy ways and a gripping fear for my loved ones and for the uncertain future we all face.
The challenge right now is navigating the day-to-day. Some of you are overwhelmed with work, adjusting to teaching online or homeschooling your kids or figuring out how to work remotely. Some of you are entrepreneurs and freelancers who have seen your business dry up overnight. You may have time on your hands, but worry consumes your energy. If you were thinking about retirement and a next chapter in life, you suddenly find that’s on hold. If you live with family, there are the challenges of being with your loved ones 24-7. (My husband and I are certainly snapping at each other more often thanks to the stress.) If you live alone, you may be struggling with the isolation.
I’m a historian, and I weather hard times by looking to the past for similar times in the past, times that passed as surely as this time will. For the past few years, I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction about Europe in World War II. And I can’t help but think that our situation is a little like those faced by Europeans who suffered Nazi invasion. For several months in 1938 and 1939, they watched the storm clouds gathering, but they went on with their lives, just as we started hearing warnings about this virus in December and January, but we went on with our lives. And then, almost overnight, life changed forever. And they knew that nothing would be the same. And so do we.
But our lives will go on just as theirs did. Things will be different for sure in ways we can’t foresee right now, and we’ll have to find a new normal.
In the meantime, think about what you can do to keep moving forward. Maybe it’s polishing up your resume and your LinkedIn profile so that you’re ready when the job market eases. Maybe you can work on a personal project that you’ve had to put on hold for a while. If you were engaged in active networking, and you’re frustrated because you can’t meet with people face-to-face, remember that virtual meetings are still possible. (One of my professional associations has organized a virtual happy hour tomorrow afternoon, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to connect with some longtime friends in this chaotic moment.)
I know that I may not hear from some of you for a while as you navigate this uncertain path. But please take some time to think hard about how you can continue to move forward, even in micro-steps. And remember that I am here when you need a sounding board, an accountability partner, and some fresh perspective. You know where to find me.
One of my favorite yoga practices is standing in mountain pose, steady and strong with equal weight on both feet, visualizing that I am like a tree with roots worming their way deep into the earth, supporting me and holding me up. I hope you’ll take some time every day to feel rooted and supported. You will get through this time.
I wish you health and peace,
