Maintaining your heading in a stormy sea (Archived)
Our familiar, predictable world is shifting on an almost daily basis. New worries and new challenges pile like storm-clouds on the horizon of unprecedented, unmapped territory. The COVID-19 situation puts us all on alert, forcing us look at things differently, prioritise things differently.
Many of the announcements made in the news, many shocking scene, would be the top story on a usual news day. They roll in so fast it becomes lost in the blur of drama and worry. There is so much we need to do to prepare ourselves and protect our communities. Most of us are taking active, informed steps to protect others.
In times like this it is vital that we don’t spin ourselves into the drama, disorientating ourselves in the storm of gloom and the doom. It is more important than ever to keep our gaze locked on the horizon, actively and purposefully steering our way through this. What are your priorities in this time? What are your goals for your household or family? What are their goals or priorities? Is there common ground? Can you learn from each-other?
I hold my balance and keep my eye on my horizon by taking time each day to see what opportunities are wrapped in the challenges we face.
More time around the house is more time to do that chore I always meant to do, or begin that new hobby. Less visits to the supermarket is an opportunity to see the mess at the bottom of my pantry in a new light, examining what I have and what I can do with it. I intend to learn to see the value in that can I brought and never used, to see food differently. I will learn to use for what I have, rather than reaching for what I feel like.
Up until a few weeks ago, I was sleep-walking through life on a half cylinders, repeating the same routines out of habit, counting down the days towards the weekend. This unprecedented landscape makes me feel more awake, as if the rust of my usual routine is flaking off, leaving me lighter and more flexible. It has forced me to reflect on my needs and wants. I find myself paying attention to the steps of the dance, shedding my usual nine-to-five zombie shuffle through the mundane. I feel more present. My mind is sharper and moves faster, autopilot switched off.
Things continue to move quickly. Many of us worry about what the world will look like tomorrow, or next week. It is vital we take the time to process what we are feeling and talk this out as required. We need to check in and support each other and be patient of with where-ever anyone else is at.
This is unique, unmapped territory. Most of us don’t have experiences to scaffold these times — we are building new routines and habits and priorities from scratch. Adding to the complexity of this time, humans are delightfully varied in personality, habit and way of being in the world. This will show in this time, more than any.
There’s one thing us creative types have in abundance and that’s… well, creativity, right? Rather than whining about a problem, let’s find a cute, quirky and positive solution. Supermarket shelves empty? Let’s get creative with what we have and give the stores a chance to rest and restock. More time at home? Let’s get off our screens and into our gardens or backyards. What did our parents’ generation or our grandparent’s generations do to fill their time? They had just as many hours and minutes in their days!
The world is changing, but for most people the space around them remains in their control. How we structure our days, our routines, our family priorities and household functioning is something we can control. Let’s let the chaos and drama roll over our heads for a time as we take the opportunity to nurture and tend our minds, bodies and spaces.
Facing challenges or pain-points are you experiencing? What opportunities do these challenges unlock for you? What core value or belief serves as your horizon — the point you steer yourself, your household or your family towards?
(Posted 26 Mar 2020. Follow me at: https://nicolewalshauthor.com/)
