Making Adjustments During Corona Season #3
I often share with patients and caregivers that it’s not “laugh OR cry,” but rather “laugh AND cry.”
During this season of Corona, you have probably been able to pinpoint some ways in which you are experiencing grief. Remember, grief does not only apply to loss of life, but also for loss of anything. Loss of normal, routines, graduations, togetherness, parties, jobs, eating out, travel, etc. all fall onto the list of reasons for grief. Whether for acute loss or an extracurricular loss, that feeling of malaise is part of grief.
So, identify it and call it what it is. Lean into it; allow yourself to feel it. The range of discomfort you have is actually quite normal.
As you process your grief on your own time table, however, you should also fully expect to create and receive moments of joy as well. Joy happens just as purely and naturally as grief. In fact, it is often just what you need to make it all bearable.
Take a moment to scroll through your social media for mild amusement. Watch a funny show. Retell stories that make you double over. Put yourself in a position to smile at the profound beauty of nature. Or, make a call to check on someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Find your way to intentionally infuse joy into your world.
It’s not laugh OR cry, it’s laugh AND cry.
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Worth Repeating
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
-Khalil Gibran
