Seven things that have made this crazy week slightly better

If you’ve had your fill of corona virus inspired blogs, then this isn’t for you. But if you’re like me, and keen to find out how other people are coping, then this might be helpful.

From managing anxiety to feeling cheered by other people’s piles of washing, here’s what’s helped me get through a week that has been very up and down.

1. More connection, not less

As self-isolation starts to kick in and we all get used to working from home, I’ve made more time to connect with people. Whether it’s calls to clients, parents, kids, or isolated fellow co-workers, I think I’ve had more conversations with the people I care about this week than I normally do.

2. Living with fear

As a small business owner and currently freelancer, I’ve never felt completely secure, but I’ve also never felt quite as insecure as I do now. While I can do what I do anywhere – working from home isn’t so different from a working from a co-working space - I’m reliant on clients needing me to write for them or help them with their marketing. And everyone is reeling right now. No business is unaffected by this. The fear is tangible, and it could run away with you, if you let it. Managing those feelings is a priority.  Exercise, time spent outdoors, meditation and hypnotherapy all help here.

3. Navigating vulnerability

Emotions are all over the place, I feel like a protective layer has been removed, and the vulnerability is uncomfortable. But everyone is in the same boat, and that’s reassuring. We’re all calling from the ‘office’ at home (or the bedroom/kitchen table) our real lives suddenly on show. Cats, dogs, kids, baskets of washing, half drunk mugs of tea, family photographs, we’re all just like each other. And you realise you’re not the only one who’s feeling tearful, or anxious, or terrified. Everyone is figuring this out together in the midst of real messy lives. Hearing, you’re not alone is such a marketing cliche, yet it feels reassuringly comforting right now.

4. Limiting news and social media scrolling

This has been a sanity saver. It’s too easily addictive to get sucked into a spiral of constantly checking for more bad news. Or to get infected by other people’s panic. Or enraged by reports of selfish shoppers. Or, or, or …

If you want to mainline anxiety or impotent rage, it’s there for you, 24/7. Stepping away has improved my mood and allowed for some pockets of productivity in a week that could very easily have become overwhelmed with worry.

5. Keep reading and writing

One of the things that made a difficult time easier has been reading the good stuff that people have written. I’ve relished people sharing their tips for staying sane, and for getting work done in the midst of this chaos.

I know too that writing is therapeutic – I often don’t know what I think until I see what I say – and so I’m happy to see other people figuring it out alongside me. It makes me feel connected. Plus sharing what you know with the specific aim of helping other people is a positive act.  It will make you feel better.

6. Remembering why I do what I do

I help people find their story and their voice, so they can build businesses that they love. The way I do that has splintered over the last week or so – more writing, more social content, more hands on help with new platforms - more doing and less strategy, more jumping in and figuring it out. But that’s okay. Finding the right words still matters, maybe more than ever.

7. The beautiful blossoming of help

An antidote to all the apocalyptic news has been the way people are helping each other. From tiny acts of human kindness to the ways businesses are getting organised to help in new ways, this big blossoming of help has lifted my spirits. The emergence of community spirit is cheering, and I’ll do all I can to nurture it.

What has helped you? I’d really loved to know.