Have you been feeling rather isolated lately? Either by choice or the nature of life. COVID-19 has changed so many people’s lives, it’s not particularly surprising that one of those maybe the feeling of isolation.
I have experienced isolation in many ways. As a teenager, I was hurt by a friend and could no longer feel that I could trust people. My method of coping was to hang out in my room and watch television. I would live vicariously through other people’s lives, until one day I decided that it was time for me to venture back out into the world. I still had trust issues, but the only way to move past it, is to try it, so I started trying to learn to trust people again. It’s had its ups and downs over the years, but at least I have emerged from my room.
When COVID-19 started, I returned to this pattern, but for a different reason. The fear was still there, but it wasn’t an issue of whether I could trust people, but I was trying to protect myself and those I love. I came out of full isolation mode in June of 2020 when I went back to work, but there was still a piece that felt that I needed to protect the people that I care about, so I went to the grocery store and to work and not too much else.
Just within the last few months, I’ve started to emerge a little bit, I’m going shopping in stores again, fully masked of course. In October, I went to my cousin’s wedding. You either had to prove your vaccination status or provide a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the event. I went to a hotel, with a bottle of disinfectant, just to be on the safe side, and nothing happened. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and nothing had happened. I started to imagine the possibilities. Maybe life can return to some sort of normal.
The next week, I found out someone that I know and had encountered had come down with COVID-19. I went back to the end of March 2020. I quarantined in my room. I was masked, if I had to come out and my bottle of disinfectant, went everywhere with me. I passed 2 negative COVID tests before I emerged. The stress that weighed on me that week is one that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. All the what-ifs came to mind. I had to protect myself and the people that I care about.
My story over the course of my teenage years, the past year, or the past month, maybe something that you can relate to. It’s not unique and one that so many of you encounter. How do you deal with the unexpected? Do you run and hide? Is there a reason for you to isolate and quarantine? Either way, the result is the same. The feeling of being alone.
As an introvert, I need some time alone, but an entire week alone was a little more alone time than I bargained for. There are people out there, that live this life every day. It’s not the healthiest way to live and can lead to feelings of depression, even for the healthiest among us.
What can you do to help someone who’s feeling alone or isolated themselves? The answer may be felt like nothing, but human companionship is one of the necessities on this journey called life. You need people around you to feel alive and guide you through the lessons of life. This isn’t a time to isolate yourself from the traumas of the world, no matter how much easier it may be.
If you are feeling alone, what can you do? Let me know. Do you want to know more, click here to book a discovery session or an appointment.
November 14
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