We cannot “positivity” our way out of a pandemic

It is Week 17 of Sheltering in Place here in San Francisco.  We were looking forward to reopening but of course with the uptick in Covid19 cases that has been put off.

I was at a meeting last week and our leader who is normally positive and upbeat said in a serious voice, “Guys we’re gonna have to think of something because we’re not going to be meeting together anytime soon.”

This is why she is a good leader. 

She wasn’t trying to sell us wolf tickets about how great it is that we won’t be able to get together anytime soon and how if we just think positively while she shouts positive slogans then everything will go back to normal.

That is foolishness and it’s phony.

Sadly I see many people doing this and I shake my head because it’s doing more harm than good. 

We cannot “positivity” our way out of a pandemic.  It is a trying time. Here are just a few things we’re dealing with at this time

People are dying
People are getting sick
People are losing jobs
People are losing businesses that they have poured years of their lives into and now it’s all gone.
People are trying to figure out how to balance their work with raising their children 
People are socially isolated from their loved ones and friends.

The list goes on.  

I don’t care how loud you yell and scream about “positive thinking” or how much you try to ignore all the bad news, you’re going to have to face reality at some point.

Someone shared that they work for a crisis hotline and that this is the busiest they’ve been so we know people aren’t doing well.

We are undergoing a monumental cultural shift and rather than dismissing people’s valid anxieties, fears, frustrations, and anger we need to sit with all of these very real reactions, process them, and come up with strategy to move forward.

I’m not suggesting that people become Negative and focus on everything that is wrong. 

I’m encouraging you to acknowledge that yes this is a trying time and no matter how positive we are, we’re going to have days where we’re ready to snap.

Please allow yourself that time and talk it out if you can with others.

There are free resources for mental health that are available.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or text 741-741 to speak to a nearby certified crisis center and counselor. Both are free and operate 24/7.

If you’re feeling socially isolated, then Find activities and groups that you can participate in.

I’ve started running outside 1-2 days per week.  I make it a priority to get it done because it does wonders for my mood to be out there in the fresh air.

We cannot “positivity” our way out of this situation but we can face reality, adapt, and get through this the best we can.