From Elaina: As businesses start opening up and people are returning to work, I think a lot of us are realizing that life will look different than it was before. We’ve all been hunkered down, waiting until life returns to normal. Now we are faced with the fact that our old normal doesn’t exist. I don’t know about y’all, but that’s super stressful for me! It’s funny because I am someone who loves having new experiences. I like to try new restaurants, explore new parks, go to new places. I get bored by the same old, same old, so why am I an anxious mess?
I just heard that I might be returning to work on June 1 on a limited schedule. My entire weekly schedule will change, both the hours and days I work. I spent the morning changing up doctor appointments I had set up in my old schedule. My youngest daughter is returning to her summer job. My oldest just signed on her first apartment and is moving out in a few weeks. It feels like everything in our life is changing. If I like change, why am I freaking out?
I think it comes down to control. Everything feels out of my control. I am trying to remember the things in my life that are stable. Basically, the only thing I can really control in my life is my response to what life brings. I remind myself daily that change can bring both good and bad. I have survived 100% of my bad days. I’m a big proponent of facing challenges head on and finding the nice little gifts we receive even in our tragic moments. This will be a time of renewal and finding a “new normal”. I plan to really try to focus on what I am gaining instead of what I am losing. I just need my anxiety to get on board with that intention!
Get More Happy 