Some form of this statement has been heard in sessions for months now – COVID is making me face my business. It is time to deal with things long buried, troubling – things I have been running from or ignoring for years.
Yes, forced isolation can do this. Or better said – it can provide the opportunity to do this.
Most of us have been so very busy that it was not only possible but even easy to run from facing things that are buried inside. Yet we wondered why we weren’t happy, or why we struggled, or why we would blow up or shut down suddenly or repeatedly ended up in relationships that go sour. But we kept going, convinced that we had no choice but keep the pace.
Then a pandemic hit and everything shut down. Things came to a screeching halt. All those meetings and groups and appointments and . . . GONE. We are in a whole new environment without clear rules or procedures to follow. Anxiety increases, and so does our realization of things inside and behaviors we’d rather not have to face. Yet, forced isolation creates the ideal time to do exactly that – face them.
Could it be that a big part of why we have kept so busy is to justify avoiding dealing with our inner issues? Could it be that we would rather face the frenzy that we created for ourselves rather than face the unknown? Or is it that some how our priorities shifted and we do not know why or when?
I have seen a dozen or so teenagers who were stressed to the point of nearly breaking become relaxed and focused. Before, they would have 20 min from the time they got home to change, just grab something to eat, and be out the door for their next scheduled activity, never stopping, resting or connecting. Now they are home with their parents working at home. They rested. They are sitting down to family meals together. They are spending time in the yard, or walking together. Talking to each other. And what else? They suddenly don’t have much need for therapy, either.
Then there are the many adults who realize that while stuck at home, they are seeing that they have issues they have run from for a very long time and now may be the right time to work through them for a brighter future.
It can happen! It is happening all around us! Everyday I meet with someone who is gaining new insight and freedom. With guidance, it can be far less frightening or stressful.
Let’s get started on whatever it is that you have been running from – or focus on where you want to go. There is freedom on the other side, and a lot more energy for daily living, too.
