You in the chaos
Governments world over have issued a similar directive to stay at home unless we have an essential reason to leave. Largely, this directive has been heeded. In some countries it has been necessary to deploy law enforcers to facilitate the execution of this directive, and gosh did they run away with it. Unexpected power takes most by surprise, but that’s a conversation for another day. The bottom line is that many of us have been at home for weeks, with the consequences of doing anything else being far too dire.
It's tempting to think that the lock down is bringing out the best or worst in all of us. Living through these unexpected times and changing the way we live is indeed testing. Our coping mechanisms for the scarcity of space, recreational facilities and general tension-relieving activities are varied and often surprising, even to those who thought they knew us. Recently, I was in a supermarket where two women began to exchange a torrent of words. I did not find out what triggered the squabbling. What I do know is that to some people fighting in the aisles over toilet paper, as an example, makes complete sense. This sort of character is likely to be the road rager. You have probably witnessed this kind of driver hooting, yelling abuse and waving their hands in the air in a hostile fashion. As if that is not enough, they then lose sight of where it is that they were heading to and instead begin to tailgate the driver that has annoyed them, attempting dangerous manoeuvres just to get close enough to either get out of their own car to hurl a wheel spanner or at the very least, carry out verbal attacks – yes that is the same person fighting over toilet paper.
To others, such behaviour would be unthinkable. Other than being patient, they navigate their lives by being open to experiences. They are more conscientious and agreeable. Generally, they operate with a mindset that there is always enough to go around. Enough food, enough money, enough success for all. Not only will they take enough toilet paper to last their household for just two weeks, they will also be the ones who share information that they deem to be helpful. They will take to social media not for self-promotion, but to help keep people safe and inspired.
We have discovered for instance just how introverted or extroverted some of our family members are. The new norms of social distancing for some is driving them up the wall, so they have taken to creating games, quizzes and performances which they are sharing widely on social media. And here’s the thing – different strokes for different folks - these extroverted outlets are driving introverts insane. Yes! We are all struggling. The extroverts would like to be out there and the introverts would also like the extroverts out there too.
In general many are struggling with life under lockdown, irrespective of our personalities. Anxiety and depression are on the rise, more so from those who prefer to be in control of circumstances or, more simply, from the worriers. People are sleeping less or less well than normal. Others are glued to the television waiting for updates on the crisis, checking their phones every few minutes.
There are several jokes being told about people generally putting on lots of weight – comfort eating may be a reason. If one can afford it, junk food is another reason, as it gives a quick energy spike, but let’s be clear: the tendency to eat when stressed existed before the lock down. Alcohol dependency has also been heightened in an attempt to cope better with “demons”.
So what has risen to the top for you personally in these circumstances? What have you discovered about yourself? Are you a lifelong learner? Signing up for one of the numerous free online courses. Perhaps you are developing your spiritual side. With the closure of your gym, have you converted a room into a home gym? Maybe you are capturing these historical events by journaling. The point is that whatever “new” thing you’re doing is something you always had in you.
So who are you in the chaos? Let us know.