Re-entry: things to be aware of as the world opens back up
Even though the pandemic is raging out of control in some areas of the world, with the vaccination rollouts we are seeing a fair amount of regions loosening restrictions.
This means that some people are heading back to their workplace, communing with friends, and rejoining activities in their world that had been off limits for over a year.
It’s heartening to see that many folks are understanding that this return to society may not go as emotionally smooth as we might think after anxiously awaiting for this day to come. It is helpful to be mindful about the potential for uncomfortable feelings to arise and to be patient with yourself and others.
Even if you have your vaccinations and are heading back into the world there are all sorts of mixed messages.
Masks? Where? When?
Wait, aren’t we hearing about new strains of the corona virus popping up? Does my vaccine cover that as well or are we all still at risk?
The ground is fertile for us to falter because there has been a long period of feeling our basic sense of safety being threatened. It’s fair to say, we will never be the same in terms of feeling like this can never happen to me about myriad threats to our sense of security.
Although you may feel there is a green light to move in the world in a more relaxed manner, don’t be surprised if you find yourself easily triggered if your system perceives your safety being threatened.
Rational or not, our system is heightened for threat now and you may find yourself a bit jumpy in the world. Not only have we been faced with the pandemic’s decimation but we’ve continued to witness random mass shootings and the injustices that continue to occur in the world, such as those that spawned Black Lives Matter and other anti-violence movements.
One basic tenet to remember is that all change is stress.
We may feel that the conditions we’ve been living under were so stressful that anything less will feel like nirvana, but throughout our lives it is important to have the awareness that even perceived positive change is a stress on our systems. And stress can bring out wonkiness in our habits and behaviors and relationships.
Give yourself and others some grace when these reactions manifest. Better yet, give yourself and others words surrounding what is going on because when the words are used, there will be less likelihood of the stress showing up in less desirable ways (over → thinking, worrying, self-medicating, distracting, conflicting, the list goes on).
Prepare for a feeling of discombobulation.
How many people have said that they’ve found their rhythm with the restraints that had been placed on them, adhering to the pandemic guidelines, or that they now enjoy working from home and never want to return?
What about the children who may be returning to school, excited to see their friends, anxious about germs and having to adjust to a new way of doing things.
There may be a sense of wait, I was just getting used to this way of living.
There are people who consider themselves introverts and have spoken about the ease with which isolating came to them.
Everyone will be affected differently.
It would be a rational exercise for employers to put in place a transition plan, such as giving their employees choices of how they re-enter the traditional work settings. Some employers may have found that they’ve been pleasantly surprised by work performance during the pandemic and may revamp the way their employees get their hours in going forward.
Think about things like conferences. Remember when people would have been flown somewhere, transport paid for, set up in a hotel, wined and dined, gifted . . . The resources spent on that type of activity feels unimaginable to some of us now. Expect that things might never go back to the previous “normal.” Video conferencing has changed everything. Maybe those resources could go into building a much needed support structure for employees.
Nothing will ever be the same.
The world has experienced a collective trauma, that may have no true end, and we will never be the same because of it.
We have lived through the stuff that science fiction thriller movies are made of.
Our masks of denial have been destroyed.
No amount of privilege absolved anyone from experiencing this pandemic.
Expect yourself and others to walk in the world differently.
Grief is now universal.
There is no way to be a living, breathing human and to not have experienced profound emotions surrounding the loss of life, the stress that the front line workers have been through, and possibly your own personal loss or the death of someone you know.
There is no timeline for grief.
We’ve been sold lies that tell us that grief is something you “work” through to get to the other side. Yes, it may gradually change in its intensity but it is now a part of you and even if you come to a time when you feel you are “over” it, grief can knock on your door at the most awkward times and sucker-punch you.
Many many people are experiencing a traumatic and/or complicated grief process.
Having loved ones that were isolated before and when they died, and not able to have their supports with them, has traumatized survivors as well as the front line workers.
Again, those reactions will live within us and the only way to deal with these complicated emotions in the healthiest manner possible is to acknowledge them and let grief have its way with you while continuing to put one foot in front of the other every damned day.
Front line workers who have had to compartmentalize their emotional responses to be able to continue their work will need special care and attention to unpack their traumatic experiences. Responsible workplaces will be putting initiatives in place that will give these individuals ongoing support to honor the care and sacrifices they have given throughout the pandemic.
Openly process what is happening.
Historically, we stink at acknowledging people’s trauma or loss when they re-enter their work or social circles.
Make a commitment to not buy into the usual practice of denial as you return to a different way of living and walking in the world more freely.
Initiate conversations with others about how are they are coping.
Ask the hard questions–– have you had any loved ones die? what was the hardest part for you during the pandemic? what was the easiest part for you? how are you different now? how do you feel about your security as you walk in the world? how is your family and friends coping?
If you are a person that is working with people in any capacity, do your best to make time and space for such conversations to occur.
Facilitating that space for processing will have people feeling seen. Giving them a devoted time for emotional self-care and connection with their peers will free them to better focus on their productivity during their remaining hours.
Ultimately? Be kind humans.
We are all so very different.
As people start interfacing more in public places there will undoubtedly be an aftermath that may, at times, have an unsightly underbelly. By being proactive verses reactive we can help that re-entry wave be kinder and gentler for all.
Awareness and literacy surrounding trauma and loss will provide a life raft. You don’t have to be an expert, just have the willingness to disrobe the antiquated constructs of head down and hard work or just get on with it mentality.
Let’s strive to see the raw tenderness of humanity that is left in the pandemic’s ebbing and aftermath and do what is in our power to ease the transition for ourself and others.
