Out with the Old, In with the Ew?

I’m going to tell it to you straight out – 2020 was the Crisis, 2021 will be the Fallout, and 2022 will be the Recovery. This is how we deal with community grief and loss.

As we reached the end of 2020 and with the advent of the COVID-19 vaccine, so many of us were filled with relief and anticipation that our worst days were behind us and we could start to move forward. Yet, the grieving process doesn’t work that way – grief is a strange beast and we will all have different experiences with it.

Essentially, fallout is the biproduct of facing crisis and chaos. So, what do we do in “2021 - Year of the Fallout”? I recommend these four helpful ways to have stability in your environment:

Good Self Care – Sanctuary is Key during this period. Times of rest and rejuvenation are vital to our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. So, get restorative sleep, make relaxation time a priority, and engage in calming activities.

Check Your Emotions  – we may not even realize we are getting anxious or frustrated until someone asks: “Are you ok?” So, make sure to check your emotions, especially when you are in a stressful environment. When you find yourself getting agitated or irritated, move to a different environment or focus on something that will calm your mind and reduce the possibility of “losing your cool.”

Make Time for Meaningful Pursuits – engage in activities that bring joy and satisfaction to your life. Get into a good book or THE Good Book (God’s Word), spend time with friends who are positive and encouraging, engage in physical exercise, and pursue a hobby that brings fulfillment.

Foster Gratitude – consider being thankful for yourself and with others. Reflecting on how much you have and what God has blessed you with in your life can bring peace. We still have worries and stressors, so it may take work to focus on gratitude. Start by journaling gratitude. This will help you begin to settle your mind and start to produce contentment.

The “Ew-filled” moments of this new year can be lessened if you take care of yourself and consider what you can do to help others. I will be praying you through.

In Him,

Kim

Want more information about mental health and communal grief? 

https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/covid-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html