The more I write aboutmental healthduring thecoronaviruspandemic, the less I know how to start these articles.
Im like, Hi, guys, howre you doing?
Heres where to start.
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Dont worry about keeping up on the news.
But there is no shame in admitting you cant handle it right now.
You wont miss anything crucial you cant catch up on later.
You are just looking out for your mental health.
Or be nice to yourself if you cant look away.
I should know better!
I think every time I scroll through Twitter and feelanxietymounting in my gut.
Get ahold of yourself, girl!
It makes total sense that I have a hard time disconnecting right now.
Why beat myself up?
Be a little gross.
Nows the time to do them without judgment.
Now is not the time to allow socially acceptable behaviors to rule you.
Eat whatever the hell you want.
venture to shut down the voice that judges or polices what youre eating right now.
Were in the middle of a goddamn pandemic.
If you have a lot of cravings and are snacking more than you normally would, cool.
Dont beat yourself up.
And wear whatever you want.
Or, more realistically, wear whatever you’ve got the option to.
Even if it means wearing the same ratty sweatpants for a whole week.
Whatever arbitrary rules and expectations youve set for yourself, you’re free to throw them out.
In the middle of a pandemic, nothing is a waste of time if it makes you feel good.
Use shortcuts to avoid creating chores.
I hadnt realized it, but a lot of my smalltidying routineshad become casualties to the pandemic.
Be kind to yourself if your place is messy or dirty.
I wont lie: Im someone whose space impacts my mental health a lot.
And its…helped?
In practice, it involves a lot of talking to myself.
Ill get to it when I get to it.
I can handle the mess for now.
Accept your new sleep schedule.
IDK anyone whosesleephasnt been screwed in some way by all of this.
Oh, and the temptation of naps!
But Im not going to waste energy stressing about something I currently cant control.
Give yourself plenty of room to do absolutely nothing.
One refrain Ive heard a lotand am guilty of repeating myselfis adjusting to the new normal.
In reality, the new normal is a moving target that requires constant recalibration.
Because of that, Ive given myself permission to do a whole lot of nothing.
Some days, I just need to do nothing but feel my feelings.
Or avoid feeling my feelings.
Or stare at the ceiling.
Give yourself space to do (or not do) whatever you gotta.
