Pandemic Anxiety: It's OK To Not Be Okay Right Now

No, I have not been okay, and I am sorry but smiling is not going to help me feel less miserable. You pointing it out is not helping. Also, honestly, it is none of your business why I am feeling the way that I am. I feel like crap and yes, I probably look like it too. However, you pointing that out was not, in the slightest, helpful to the situation. It was actually really rude. Not only that now I am walking around judging myself all because you judged the look on my face and told me that I looked miserable and all I needed to do was smile.

This is what I wanted to say to someone who told me that I looked miserable and just needed to smile more and everything would be okay. I am here to tell everyone that if you see someone struggling, this is probably not what you want to say to them. Making some feel even worse than they already do because it makes you feel uncomfortable is not helpful. It is, in fact, a really selfish thing to say. What we as a culture need to get used to, is that it is okay to not be okay.

So to the girl who is not okay, it is okay that you are feeling that way. No, it won’t last forever. Yes, you will probably be in this place at some point in your life again. However, it is not hopeless. Here are some things that I am doing now when I am not okay:

1. Journaling:

This one is more recent. And is something that I used to think was not easy nor was it really useful. However, I was really wrong. What every is going on that is bothering you needs to come out. Stuffing it all down is not helping. Get it out of you and on paper. I feel better and honestly I had to learn this the hard way. So just write!

2. Walking

I find that getting my heart rate going with some cardio will take my mind off of whatever I am going through. And I prefer to walk at night because that is when all of my anxiety comes out. When I start thinking about all the things that bother me, I stroll. So taking a walk especially in nature really helps me.

3. Cuddles with my fur baby

My dog (who is my child) has become one of my biggest comforts. She can tell when I am having a hard time and is always down for some cuddle time with her mama. It is good for both of us. I instantly feel calmer.

4. Audiobooks

Listening to something to get my mind off of things is helpful. For me the thing that reduces my anxiety the most is audiobooks. I love music too but I think that can be too stimulating when my anxiety is super high so I have chosen to listen to an audiobook instead. (I have tried to read a book however, I have a hard time concentrating so that is something that I have gotten away from when my anxiety is really high)

5. Sitting alone

No, I am not okay and this may mean that I am not the most fun to be around. Hearing that when you are not okay is really hard to swallow. So, I try to just sit alone. I like to sit outside because it is a lot less miserable being outside then it is being inside alone. This gives me the time and space to digest all of the things that I am thinking.

Coping With COVID19

These are just some of the coping skills that I have learned the last few months. If you are like me dealing with emotions and not being okay is not something that you are great at. It is hard to deal with it because honestly I am not great at it and in the past I didn’t deal with it I threw myself into other things to avoid not feeling okay. I know that I have to deal with those feelings and other feelings that I don’t want to deal with. So I share the things that help me hoping that it also helps you.

Just remember it is okay to not be okay. If you are not okay reach out to someone who will listen then try some of these things to help you feel a little better about life. It won’t last forever!