I feel like I have a lot on my plate right now, maybe more than that jam packed month of May. Which in May of 2019 that was saying a lot. . .
Now my plate is full! Full of balancing home and work, bored kids, canceled activities, trying to socialize, staying involved with social issues, questioning my already made decisions, checking in on the mental health of my family, finding time for hobbies, and more. This list could go on!
Life is hectic right now in a way it never has been before.
I’ve learned in my (more than a) few years as an adult that I can’t control what is swirling around me but I can control my response to it. My favorite new series of words to string together to help me with this mindset: and that’s ok!
Today was a hard day being a parent. . . and that’s ok!
I completely dropped the ball on that. . . and that’s ok!
I didn’t cross anything off on my list today. . . and that’s ok!
I feel sad today. . .and that’s ok!
I’m having a hard time processing all the events right now. . . and that’s ok!
The dishes are piled all over the kitchen. . . and that’s ok!!
When we tell ourselves and those around us that we love that it’s going to be ok we are creating HOPE. We don’t know how long it will be ok. We don’t have to commit to how it will be ok, but we can create HOPE and we all need that hope right now.
With just a few changes in our words and thoughts, we can build HOPE right now in our families and community:
- Join with others in your community who can provide emotional support and encouragement by texting, calling, or by dropping a letter in the mail. We had some friends drop by some simple treats one evening. We had an enjoyable visit with them at a safe distance while wearing masks.
- Reach out and ask a good friend or a family member how they have maintained hope in troubled times. They may offer some helpful suggestions.
- Make a list of your strengths and talents, and then list your options and resources. Help family members do the same. Ever heard of count your blessings? You’ll be surprised and grateful when you start to add them up.
- Learn the true facts about the crisis or economic situation, so you don’t just act on people’s opinions. Look for reliable and unbiased sources of information.
- If watching news reports makes you and your family members feel hopeless, don’t watch them. Change to an activity that will distract you and give you all some relief. Taking a social media break may be helpful too.
- If you are feeling suicidal, get help. Reach out to your family or call SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Holding on to some HOPE right now might be just what we need to make it through tough times, exist together, and pull ourselves from so much uncertainty. Or maybe you need something completely different right now. . . .and that’s ok too.
Written by: Alisha Barton, OSU Extension Educator, Miami County barton.345@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Dan Remley, PhD, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition, and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension
References:
Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents. (2007). Retrieved from https://www.maine.gov/ems/sites/maine.gov.ems/files/inline-files/coping_in_hard_times_parents.pdf
Marrison, E. (2020, May 20). It’s Time to Unplug. Retrieved from https://livehealthyosu.com/2020/05/21/its-time-to-unplug/
(2020). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/location/ohio
GALILEO@UGA Subject Guides: Finding Reliable Sources: What is a Reliable Source? Retrieved 2020, from https://guides.libs.uga.edu/reliability
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