This is How to Orient Toward Thriving in a Pandemic
Photo by Angelica Sabina
Hey, you,
At some point in the last few weeks I’ve sunk deeper into the realization that
Things aren’t going to change anytime soon.
I realized I’ve been treading water.
Legs scissor-kicking underwater.
Arms swirling just below the surface.
I am exhausted.
Depleted.
Burnt out.
...And afraid to admit as much.
Because who is to say how many more seasons or years this will go on for....
So.
I can’t change the situation.
Linnea reminds me, I can change how I feel about or look at the situation.
What might it be like to orient toward thriving in a pandemic?
I’m under no illusion I can actually approach thriving.
And what might it be like to define thriving and turn my body in its direction, like a sunflower following the sun?
Photo by Andrew Kitchen
In other words, what might it be like to float on our backs with an eye toward the shore...
Realizing we are going to be out to sea for awhile instead of treading water waiting for some liferaft to pull us in.
If isn’t clear already...
Our white supremacist, patriarchal, capitalistic, colonist, heteronormative, ableist systems have no interest in us thriving.
Our oppression (which for many is compounded at the intersections of several -isms) supports very few to flourish.
And not just with financial means.
But with healthcare, healthy food, affordable, reliable places to live, clean air, safe streets, accessible education, working conditions.
You know.
These "unreasonable" things we need to do more than survive.
Photo by Taylor Simpson
Before I drone on,
( You can tell I’m missing connection and conversation and hugs...Oh, how I miss physical touch. )
let’s get to three ways you can reorient toward thriving in a pandemic:
STEP ONE: Love
Know your primary Love Language, offer yourself love in your Love Language, gently request from your partner, your kids, your family, your friends socially-distanced-approved, mask-wearing love.
STEP TWO: Safety
Acknowledge and ground into the safety you do have.
Explore your access to clean air, water, food, shelter, sleep, and clothing.
Have those?
Pull them into your body and swirl them around in deep safety.
Review where you are with regards to personal security, employment, resources, health, and property.
Be clear on the safety you have and can be grateful for while also recognizing where exactly you don't feel safe.
STEP THREE: Belonging
Draw a big circle at the beginning of every day on a piece of paper taking up half the page.
Write “Me” or your name in the center of the circle.
For every one you come in contact with within the next 24 hours, write their name along the circle.
Feel yourself held, contained, supported, connected to, and belonging with these people.
Your body might not have a strong sense of belonging or connection or acceptance right now because you're not physically in person or interacting with too many.
And.
You are loved.
You are loving.
You are lovable.
You can orient toward thriving.
Sending you so much love,
Daniela
