How the COVID-19 pandemic is giving many of us the opportunity to slow down and embrace our true selves.
Written by Heidi Borst
Here in the New Jersey area, at the epicenter of the global COVID-19 pandemic, life as we know it has forever changed. The things we once took for granted, like stopping at our favorite coffee shop on the way to work, taking our kids to swim practice, or having extended family over for a weekend barbecue, have become too risky. Instead, the pressing objective of every single thing we do (or, more accurately, don’t do) is to flatten the curve. Finding our new normal isn’t easy. As parents, we’re navigating a wide range of emotions: anxiety, anger, confusion, fear and more. At the same time, we strive to balance the demands of work or the stress of unemployment, homeschooling our children (a job none of us signed up for), and a few minutes of self-care—remember that?
Our job is to guide our children during this unprecedented time, even if we’d rather hide under the covers until it’s all over. Social distancing, aka being stuck at home with no end in sight, may feel impossible, but it’s also an unprecedented opportunity for us to slow down and connect with our families. Now more than ever, in this period of immense uncertainty, we’re yearning for truth, honesty and transparency. By being authentic and open during this surreal time, we can show our children the way through. Three authenticity experts weigh in:
Image by istockphoto.com