Another wonderful article that has gotten a lot of attention lately that was published on The Elephant Journal.
How the Five Stages of Grief Can Support You During COVID-19
I want certainty.
I want to know how long it will be that I need to stay home.
I want to know the secret to being stress-free during COVID-19.
Give me a list of tips and tools. I will follow them.
The thing is: Do NOT change the rules on me!
How do I manage if I can’t get it right? I need security that I am going to be ok.
Do I wear a face mask when I go out or not? Last week it was a not necessary. Yesterday, the news advised me to wear a mask even if I had no symptoms. How am I to know what to do?
Then, this week, I heard rumours that the STAY HOME requirement may be in place for several more months.
What?????
How will I do this? There seems to be so much chaos. I question if my physical and mental health can tolerate this surreal situation. Especially if it goes on indefinitely.
What about my husband’s parents in their Assisted Living facility? Senior citizens in care homes are already high risk and it is likely to get worse. And I have a 95-year-old father living in a care home in Winnipeg. How will he mange the isolation and loneliness without visitors? My mother died two years ago, and he is still grieving. I feel helpless.
I snuggle under my quilt with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven (baked by my husband who has a sweet tooth!). I am enjoying the cookie and underneath I am aware of my sorrow. I am reminded of the stages of grief that I studied as a student nurse. I was introduced to this theory by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross over forty years ago. Since then many others have researched and written about it.
Why am I drawn to thinking about GRIEF right now?
Many people may not be aware what emotions they are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps it’s fear. Or impatience. It could be anger. They are looking for someone or something to blame. They may be paralyzed by anxiety. Maybe their addictions are paramount in their minds. Could be that depression is worsening. Some are frantically trying to find a solution to their sense of insecurity. They think that stocking up on toilet paper and tinned goods will help get them through this nightmare. Some are just looking out for number one. Themselves. They forget that we are all connected and neglecting to consider others’ needs will only increase their risk.
The paradox is real. We are told to stay home and isolated and we are reminded that we are all connected.
Grief is present in the collective energy.
What do I even mean by that?
The entire planet is affected by COVID-19. That is the definition of a pandemic. The whole world is infected. We are all experiencing loss, uncertainty and a lack of control. We are grieving.
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