January 2020 seems like a lifetime ago. Back then, I asked you for ONE WORD to describe what you wanted to accomplish in the New Year. One little word to be your guiding light for all your hopes, dreams, goals and resolutions for the next 12 months.
Boy, did God/Life/Karma/the Universe have different plans for us. Ironically, for me …
My 2020 word is the same for managing COVID, but the meaning has drastically changed.
Fearless.
Originally, I meant it is as be FEARLESS, Marcy! Be BRAVE! Be BOLD! Go kick ass and take names!
Now, I mean it more as fear less. Stop being paralyzed, even amidst these turbulent times. Have more faith. Learn to be more comfortable with your discomfort.
That’s hard to do because COVID-19 has been life-changing for everyone. None of us have ever experienced a global pandemic before. The world is facing this disaster in real time together.
As of this writing, over 749,000 people have died worldwide from the Coronavirus, and the death rate is highest in the U.S. where I live, over 166,000. Millions have lost their jobs and have no way to pay their bills. Devastating doesn’t come close to describing their realities.
I know people firsthand who’ve contracted the disease, as well as those who have had loved ones die from it. They are heartbroken. Do not tell them this is a political hoax.
What is a FACT is that no country seemed fully prepared for the crisis. In the U.S., it has also turned into a debate between family, friends and strangers over masks, sheltering in place and so much more.
My family is taking this seriously because I care about you, and I would want you to do the same for me. We’re quarantining as much as possible, we wear masks out in public, social distance, wash our hands, and donate to causes when we can.
Your Stress is 100% Real
Regardless of your intellectual opinion about COVID-19, your nervous system (your brain + your body) thinks this is 100% real and is responding accordingly. Cutting-edge research shows your body has billions of nerve fibers. Billions.
Only 20% of your messaging goes from your brain to your body, while 80% of your messaging goes from your body to your brain.
That explains your possible undercurrents of anxiety, disrupted sleep, the inability to focus, loss of time, foggy brain, overeating or no appetite at all (not to mention other bad behaviors), as well as various physical aches and pains.
Maybe you’ve had low-grade to full-blown depression. This doesn’t even include tensions with family, friends and strangers over a host of topics.
Subconsciously, the thoughts beneath your thoughts are screaming, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!
This reminds me of my unraveling after our house fire in 2017. I didn’t understand why my body, thoughts and emotions seemed to be in full freakout mode. What I learned transformed me.
As promised, I wrote a book about it to help you understand your stress patterns. These coping strategies started long ago and are unique to you alone. That’s why keeping you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, lost, helpless or hopeless.
SkipJack Publishing will release When Life Feels like a House Fire – Understanding Your Stress this fall (exact date TBA). Stay tuned. In the meantime …
What’s Your One Word?
So, yes – life is hard right now. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, I wish this was over.
That doesn’t change reality.
What’s your ONE WORD for managing COVID-19? ONE WORD to guide you during all this uncertainty?
Don’t overthink it. You can change your word at any time, but RIGHT NOW, if you had to sum up managing your discomfort … what would it be?
If it helps, start with a phrase or topic, then whittle it down to find your word. I’m happy to help you brainstorm.
Please know that you’re not alone. We can get through this together.
What’s Your One Word for COVID? If need be, I’d love to help brainstorm. Please leave a comment.
Pick up your FREE pdf of Understanding Your Stress. Read, enjoy and share with your friends.
Beatable.
As in …. COVID is beatable? If I’m understanding you correctly, I like this soooo much. Positive and doable. Thanks for your comment Joan!
Safety
Safety is such a simple, but profound word, Andy. Just reading it made my body relax more. Thank you!
Word for Covid – confining
As in not seeing anyone face to face, not eating out
You’re so right, Peggy. COVID has been sooooo confining. No judgment here or to others, but my husband and I have not eaten out once since Sunday, March 8 after church. That’s over five months. We’ve just started picking up food to-go in the last month. We’ve bought gift cards at restaurants, trying to be supportive, but …. wow.
Reassurance. As in keep telling myself and others, all will be well, eventually. (and leave out the ever-present in the back of my mind, “maybe.” NOTE: I’m working on a complete makeover for my website and love yours. I may copy (a bit.) 🙂
OOOOOOOOH, LOVE Reassurance! What an encouraging word. Awesome.
Feel free to copy my website. Steal like an artist!
One word menus , it’s a menus on all the world
Clever. Yes, menus.
Okay, mine’s mostly political, if you’ll forgive it. Deadly. Not so much as “you’re going to die” but “take it seriously, wear a mask, social distance, OR you’ll kill people, both older as well as young. Mine’s in part in reaction to no one wearing a mask in my neighborhood, any more, although they’re good at leaving 30 feet of space around others, going out of their way so as not to be in the same “airspace” with other people. -tc
I hear and agree with you 100%. I just learned of someone else I know who just tested positive for COVID. Our state senator here in Texas … a republican … a good guy … took this seriously from the beginning, then WHAMMO. I pray he has a mild case.
tiring
So very tiring. All of it is tiring if not exhausting. I’ve had to triple down on my self-care to survive this. Thank you for your honesty.
UNSTOPPABLE! We are unstoppable & will deal with this like we’ve done before with other disease. This is not a death sentence, but merely a slow down to alert us to be wiser & not careless. We have become complacent and forget to guard against anything or anyone that tries to stop us.
Wow, Awilda! I love your “can do” attitude. You’re right … this is a wake-up call. I love everything about the sentiment of UNSTOPPABLE. THANK YOU!
Mercy, my one word? Exhausting. Trying to understand people’s resistance to masks, social distancing, ignoring deaths. Hearing of evictions. Long lines at food banks. Seeing Congress go on vacation when so many have lost help, and hope. Taking care of my husband after eye surgery, as he fights to save sight in his right eye. I’m ready for a bubble bath, a good book, and some quality chocolate.
You’re so right, Sarah. COVID is exhausting. I think even more terrifying than the disease itself are all the reasons you listed. We’ve got to stay positive and keep fighting for change. Good luck with your husband … I hope his eye heals.
ADJUST. It is what it is. We are not able to change the world around us so we, ourselves, must meet our challenges in ways that offer us our greatest advantages. We are an infinitely resourceful folk, if we only recognize that and act courageously. fearlessly, and filled with faith.
Wow, Robert. That was pure inspirational, and I agree with every word you said. Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom.