Developing Resilience: A Year in Covid

Happy June!  As I write this, it has been lovely outside with birds chirping and warm days. This is the time of renewal and regeneration when leaves return to the trees and flowers start to grow!  

This is also the time of year which brings forth thoughts about resiliency. For many this has been a challenging time and has been difficult to be emotionally resilient. Resilience is the ability to recover from challenges and to grow forward. As individuals, we can determine the recovery and determine the personal growth from difficult events. The recovery from events, emotionally are front of my mind these days as I walk and talk with people.  

With the ongoing pandemic and the many challenges this has presented with unknowns and uncertainties, we have been stressed and anxious. Oh how, the pandemic has been challenging to all of us emotionally. There have been other challenges, i.e. financial, employment, childcare and school issues, however, I just want to provide insight into how you can build and continue to maintain skills to be resilient, now, and into the future. 

I came across this quote from Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, Psychologist, who states:

“We are experiencing a collective trauma.  Similar to other trauma, we see a range of responses.  People are experiencing depression, anxiety, fatigue, frustration, denial, numbness and grief.  Have compassion for yourself and for those who may respond differently.”

This has stuck with me for a couple of days, in how to accept and provide care at this time. I honor each individual as we all have skills to be resilient, and yet, can be doing our work in very different ways. I encourage self compassion and kindness, knowing that we are doing our best. 

The American Psychological Association, shares the 4 main areas to assist in developing emotional resilience.These areas to consider to work on intentionally are connection, wellness, healthy thinking and meaning.  

This has been a time of challenges due to the pandemic and possibly much of what you have done in the past to strengthen your resilience muscle is not available.  Anyone else missing the gym as much as I am?  

What to do? Find an area of interest in the above 4 ways to build resilience and find something to help yourself build and work on your emotional muscles and intentionally to move forward. 

I recently connected with a colleague from my past. We have started walking (wellness) weekly and while we are walking, she and I will talk on the phone (connection). This has been going on for 4 weeks now, and I am always finding these to be good discussions and this is creating meaning for our relationship. I shared with her this morning how different my day is after we have talked and walked in the morning. I have journaled about this and allowed it to settle into my soul, as creating meaning for our friendship  and my personal growth. It is with great gratitude for our connection and friendship, which despite many years of not being connected, we have resumed and been able to provide support at this time.  

Take care of yourselves and be mindful of the judgments of others- Just know that we are all doing our best!  

In Health, 

Jodi Lynn Morris, RSW