Social distancing is a very important part of keeping the coronavirus manageable. Looking at the data, you can see that locations with more strict social distancing protocols are also flattening the curve, allowing hospitals to operate within their capacity. This is a good thing. However, distancing does not come without consequences - economically, culturally, and mentally.
Having to stay in your home - especially if you live alone - can lead to feelings of loneliness and grief, grief for the life you’ve left behind and loneliness from a void that has been made without your permissions. First of all, take the time to process these feelings. The sooner you do, the sooner you can move on with grace. Yes, you may feel lonely. Yes, you may be grieving. Yes, the events that created these feelings are outside of your control. And yes, your feelings are valid. Feel them, let them wash all over you and then find yourself on the other side. It may take a couple minutes, or it may take a couple weeks. Be gentle on yourself.
When you’re ready, take the time to unravel your loneliness - what can you do to change your situation? Can you take the time to call or video chat more friends and family? Zoom game nights are becoming a popular way to connect with your loved ones. The tricky part here can be the initiation phase. Personally, when I feel lonely, I tend to crawl further inside myself and become scared to reach out to others, so it takes a little more effort to call that friend or set up that Zoom party, however after a good call I always feel a bit more alive, a bit more me.
Can you reframe the situation mentally? Instead of telling yourself you feel lonely, perhaps tell yourself that yes, you are alone, but you have a whole community out there rooting for you. You can indeed be alone without being lonely. Take this time to do all the things you haven’t been able to do in past because of social obligations - read that book, take that online class, find a new community of people on the internet that share the same interests as you, or do NOTHING.
Yes, it’s ok to do nothing and right now is a pretty great time to do so. Cherish this time with yourself. You may never get another opportunity to be with yourself and learn more about who you are. You are only lonely if you’re not friends with yourself. Maybe this is the time to reflect, journal, meditate, and get to know yourself a little bit better. When you love yourself, it’s not hard to find love surrounding you from all directions. At the end of the day, it’s a balance. A balance between putting in the effort to reach out to others and turning inward to work on yourself. Opposite, but necessary approaches.
We’re always here for you at Peaks View Counseling and wish you all the most happiness and contentment.