One question which we often ask and reply most absentmindedly is ” How are you?”.
The times are challenging to say the least and emotional balance is on a roller coaster ride. As I spoke to my loved ones recently, I realized almost everyone is facing this surge of anxiety or uneasiness at some point in their life. Happiness needs constant efforts 🙂
I think the sense of anxiety and negative energy was much harder for me, to beat this time because finding my safe zone aka visiting parents seems like a distant dream at the moment. Moreover, looking at my little one not able to play outdoors, took a toll on me.
“There is no way I can get any of my writing-work done if my little one is at home” I had repeated this sentence a gazillion times before the pandemic hit the whole world. Most of my work was taken care of when everyone left the house and I had the whole house to myself. I would plan my day accordingly and by the time they came back, I would be back in my homemaker’s role.
The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates ♥️
We all need a little break every now and then to keep our sanity intact. I pushed too hard in pretending to be okay while things got to my head. One text, one message or one virtual hug is all you need to cope up with a situation where we all are stuck without knowing when things would start to change. Let’s just accept the situation and understand we can work on things/situations on which we have proper control.
Here is what helped me and I genuinely hope the day you feel like nothing is good, this comes handy for you too:
- When your mind signals that things are not feeling good, pay attention. No, don’t leave it under the rug thinking it’s just momentary. Many small moments of uneasiness together make an uncontrollable hurricane of emotions.
- Take out a pen and paper, yes, this is important. Write down things you are thankful for even in a situation like this. (I can’t even begin to tell you how impactful it is to see it in writing)
- I know we all do that but genuinely pay attention to things that you do and enjoy it. Cooking is more fun when you can feel the freshness of veggies or burst of the aroma of spices, writing is more fun when you are connected to the words, hugs are warmer when your heart is in it. Be present at the moment.
- Take out time for activities that make you happy. An hour of music and dance or sketching with your kiddo sometimes these little joys work like a wonder in uplifting your mood.
- Don’t feel like talking, it’s okay. Somedays words fall short of how you feel, let that be a sign to get back into your gratitude route. Give yourself up to nature, watching the bright stars at night, or enjoying the blue sky while sipping your ginger tea in peace is pretty underrated.
- Last but not the least, hug the little hoomans we bought into this world or your pawsome buddies. There is nothing more soothing than their giggles, sloppy kisses, or clingy hugs. Spoil them with your love and I promise, things will get better.
- We all know the benefits of meditation and exercise. Take a printout of such motivational sayings and stick it on your walls. A gentle reminder of happiness is positivity never hurts.
- This one is especially for moms, kids need our attention but not helicopter parenting. Give them free play time and try to detach your mind from a constant reminder of a clean house.
We all can agree, as much as it is okay to talk about mental health on social media nowadays, it is still a taboo in many households. Understand this, asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak. Mental health needs your attention as much as any physical trouble.
This post is written for SpeakEasy Blogging Challenge by Ruchi & Dipika
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We have learned a lot during this lockdown and staying happy is really important anytime!! Lovely post
Kav, i just loved this post. The tips you share are so basic, yet these are genuinely the most effective ones too! Great writing!
Loved all the ideas dear Kavita, you had shared in this post. and I also think the same way as you do. I agree sometimes we did not feel like to talk and that is completely OK. but understanding your emotions and deal them with positivity is most important. writing is also therapeutic to me and I always feel good after writing my random thoughts.
Thanks for the valuable tips in fact I have been resorting to pen and paper quite often in these lockdown days. I will follow the hug tip also.
Kavita, first of all kudos to your writing this post on unlocking happiness during this crisis. Its so relatable, the frustration, the sense to be with people you love yet craving for that solidarity. Secondly, your posts connect with your audience out there, as everybody is aboard these roller-coaster of emotions.
Your points are crisp, thought provoking and yes it vouches that it is okay to feel unhappy or confused at times. I cant tell you how much as a reader, i could relate to it. The past 3-4 months were tough yet here we all are, standing like a rock looking for a better tomorrow.
By far one of the best post on unlocking happiness!
You spoke my mind, we can win this with a straight mind and large will power. I sooo loved your positivety, its almost infectious
Beautiful post Kavita. I could relate to every single advice of yours especially the one about hugging our tiny humans. Loved your post.
So agree with you Kavita for me also writing on paper works right from my childhood, when things do not fall as per my expectations but pouring my thoughts on paper therapy is all time my favorite one. Full of positivity pst filled me with new zeal.
Yes we all are facing a situation where new challenges are thrown our way, it’s good that you’re dealing with it positively
Loved your post, Kavita. Lot of positivity and a well-written post. Yes, writing down our blessings and happiness helps us in many ways. When I feel low music and my minions rejuvenate and uplift my spirits. Another way I uplift my spirits is when I sit with my kids doing any activity.
I was taking the simple pleasures of life for granted. The pandemic made me realise the importance of food and family in my life. When I focused on these, the pressure eased and I enjoyed this time. It brought me immense happiness when I realised that I am indeed so privileged and writing down positive affirmations helped.
I agree that, having everyone at home, makes it impossible to write. And I love what you said, hugging our little one would make us happy. Yes, we instantly forget and smile along with them.
It was nice reading your article.
I too had a down phase during the lockdown with husband going to work from the start of lockdown n me being along at home with 2 kids the whole day. It was getting on me mentally along with so much hse work n kids to manage. So I just took a break, askd my husband to be home for few days, spend tme with me. Also I did sme relaxing things like painting and coloring to come out.
The pandemic changed us. The way we used to live and our routine. All have changed. In this distress time we can live sane with counting iut blessings and living the moments. Well drafted thoughts Kavita.
Your little one is so cute!
Your post reminded me of a beautiful hymn: Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
These are difficult times, no doubt but humans are known to conquer challenges and bring out the best from any situation. For some, it’s an easy peasy job while some need more practice. The most difficult of it all is dealing with negative thoughts when everyone around is also going through the same emotions. Thanks for sharing these tips to deal with such thoughts.
Spending time with little ones is the best source of happiness ❤️
A bear hug here and a loving kissy there, we should be grateful for these precious moments:)
Kavita you have rightly mentioned that when all used to be out of house the writing cap was to be on but now when everyone at home still managing to write and catching up with creative task has indeed become a creative challenge we all are learning. Gratitude always works well and uplifts ones mood.
I feel that we all know how to figure out things when the time times. Just that we feel we don’t know the answer. Like we would have never imagined of working when everyone is at home. But today, we are managing it. “Me Time?” what-whats that? Earlier we used to think that my writing hours are are my me time but today, we find this mini windows and try to make the best out of that. Thats called adaptability and finding a balance and we all should pat our back for doing that.
Gratitude is indeed an incredible way to be happy. I loved how you spend your time with your baby girl. Her smile is the core reason for your happiness. Loved the post dear. Lots of love for your daughter.
Great points Kavita, accepting that not all things cannot be controlled is the key to happiness. And, hugging the little humans is an instant energy booster
I am struggling with kids whose energy is not getting burned n they make me feel exhausted at the end of the day. Let me hug them more before they annoy me with their tantrums.
I totally with you, Kavita. Writing down things for which you are thankful actually help! It’s a gentle reminder to your brain that you are still surrounded by lovely things around.
Love your tips to cope up with negativity.
My learning from this post are acceptance is the key and being grateful can throw away all the negativity.. Well written
Yes, we have and are facing new kind of situation. Finding alternatives and acceptance plays a big role. Your tips are very handy will surely follow them