In this unprecedented time in our lives, how do we create a new normal? It has been said that humans have three main needs: Safety, Connection and Satisfaction.
As life as we knew it has come to a halt/big shift for the immediate future, it is time to re-think how each of these needs can be met.
Safety
We all want to be safe in the physical sense but also to feel safe emotionally.
Physical safety
Wash your hands! While probably tired of hearing this, it is essential in being proactive and helping you stay healthy.
Food in your pantry – having enough to feed your household for a couple of weeks in case one or more of you need to be quarantined if ill or been exposed. I know we have seen some hoarding that has been going on and in the face of panic that may happen. Being prepared is different than buying in panic.
Medications and supplements to keep you healthy. Having an extra month or two of supply to be sure you are taking care of your health, being proactive.
Eat heathy. Good nutrition can go a long way in helping you maintain your physical health
Social distancing – do your best to stay away from groups/crowds and how close you come to those you are meeting with
Emotional safety
You have a lot of control over your thoughts and feelings. Focusing on the following thoughts/feelings can be a boost to your immune system as well as helping you manage and cope day to day…
Trust that this will pass, that there are scientists working hard to develop a vaccine, that our cities and states are working to keep everyone safe with the measures they are taking and asking us to take.
Faith that the economy will rebound – though this is an unprecedented experience, history has shown that humans are resilient, fighters and can come back from even the most devasting experiences to rebuild and be better than before.
Patience – we do not know how long this will be our new normal so take each day as it comes. Focus on creating new routines, actions and choices that ground you, bring you a sense of peace and comfort.
Hope – believing that the plans we have had to cancel will one day be possible, imagining a future that is bright with abundance and vitality once again.
Connection
As we are now practicing social distancing, staying connected to loved ones is changing by the minute. Some ideas:
Act as if your loved one, who may be down the street, is in another city or country. How do you already stay connected to those far away people? Facetime, Texting, Phone calls, Emails, Zoom calls….and maybe even writing an old fashioned letter by hand
What if you suddenly have a full house (with kids home from school), partners working from home? Design spaces in the house that each of you can congregate together and also be apart. Learn each person’s needs for alone time and create a schedule/routine that allows for it.
Support a neighbor. If you have neighbors who are alone, especially those in high risk age group, what support can you give them? A phone call to see how they are, grocery delivery to their door? Play music on your porch that they can hear, even each of you sitting on your respective porches or yards within sight of each other can offer comfort that someone is near.
Satisfaction
As many of your activities have been cancelled, and life looks so different right now, you may be wondering what can possibly feel or be satisfying. Satisfaction can come in many forms. This can be your opportunity to experiment with what can feel good to you.
Do the project you have been meaning to do but never had the time
Spend time in nature – in your garden, a park if you are able
Get creative – with food, with your family, with how you connect and support others
Focus on what is working, what you do have, what is good right now amidst all this chaos
Clean your house from top to bottom and bask in the accomplishment
Write that story or book
Read or watch things that uplift you
These ideas are just scratching the surface, serving as examples of what you can begin to design for you and your loved ones. I hope you can use it as a jumping off point and that these needs can serve as an anchor to focus on to help you create your own new normal.