TRAUMA | 27 MAR 2020
Certainty in uncertain times: The Easter Bunny will still come
Like everyone else on the planet, I am experiencing the panic, anxiety and distress of the impacts of the Coronavirus. Life as we know it has had to change for a while. The things we used to take for granted, are things we have had to lose (for a little while at least). The new norms are social distancing, isolation and working from home (if you are lucky enough to still have a job). The Coronavirus has changed how our children learn, their ability (or lack thereof) to socialise with peers; and has stalled the things that they love and identify with: sport, music, art, hobbies, outings, visits with grandparents etc.
This is truly an uncertain time in our history. The news changes hour to hour and for the majority of Australians we will be keeping quiet in our homes with our kids for the next few weeks at least. One silver lining: our pets will be over the moon! The love and affection they give us is a certainty. The family dog will play a big role in our isolation; and will actually help people in getting some fresh air by a daily dog walk (social distancing of course).
But the main big certainty is that life will have to slow down. No more rushing to 3 different after school sports, no going to the gym, no squeezing in a BBQ with friends on a Sunday afternoon. At the moment, we are all being forced to stop.
What does this mean? We can look at a lot of this a huge loss that is depressing and hard to get past. Or, we can look at this time at home as:
- A way to reconnect with your children and/or partner
- Take time to play with your children
- Get off Facebook and actually call somebody
- To do the things you “never get time for” such as the photobook you wanted to print off from your Thailand holiday last year!
- Garden, write a letter, build something, read a book, paint a picture, do a jigsaw, teach your dog a trick, do yoga/meditation/mindfulness, watch a Netflix series, call you mother….you name it, you have time for it.
- Learn something new – an online course, a language, singing, drawing
It is not my intention to minimise the seriousness of the situation. This is an extremely difficult time and many people have serious issues and concerns to deal with.
However, we still have to live our lives and help our children live theirs. And one certainty I know is that although Easter this year will be very different; the Easter bunny will still come. And I hope that brings a little bit of comfort and joy to us all. We are always here if you need to talk.
Marnie Mearns
Psychologist
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