Finding Your Joy During COVID
What normally brings you joy?
Going out for dinner? Wandering through an art gallery? Getting sweaty on a dance floor? Or watching footy on a Saturday afternoon?
Maybe for some, it’s simply spending time in the same room with your loved ones not social distancing… or even just sitting outside in a park.
For me? It’s pretty much all of the above!
COVID has robbed most of us the activities and methods we use to find joy. This can leave many of us feeling lost and low in mood. In Melbourne, we’re currently in some of the harshest lockdown restrictions that any city has had to go through during the pandemic. It can be really hard right now to find something to do that will bring you joy. So what can you do?
I’ve seen a few articles mentioning how Lockdown 2.0 feels a lot different in Melbourne than the first. During the first it was more of a novelty. We embraced the downtown. We finally cleaned our houses. Many of us got creative and started DIY projects or baked some mean banana bread. This time feels a lot harder and I know a lot of people are angry and feeling really low in motivation to engage in self-care. So how can we bring joy into Lockdown 2.0? Let’s start to get consistent.
I know for myself, I definitely embraced the novelty and forced slowness of the first lockdown. However, I think I feel into a trap of not consolidating some of my new self-care skills and just seeing them as ‘temporary’ until we were ‘free again.’ I’m now quickly realising that our ‘normal’ freedoms are not coming back any time soon. So now it’s time for me to get consistent with self-care and rediscover my joy.
Step One - Get Creative
Being creative doesn’t have to just be painting or drawing, creativity can come in lots of difference forms. Maybe for some it’s adding more flair to your cooking. For others it may be journalling or writing songs. For some it could be sprucing up your home decor or setting yourself a little project…or even building lego! During these times of heavy restrictions it’s important to let your creative juices flow, it will help you to feel joy but also give you something to look forward to that’s totally within your control.
Step Two - Build Routine
Kids love routine, but what we often forget is, adults love it too. Routine gives us predictability and most humans love predictability as it eases anxiety. You don’t need to be too strict with your routine. It can be quite basic that you get up at a certain time most days and try and stick with a regular bedtime. It may also be helpful to put some boundaries around screen and news time, maybe none after 9pm? I am trying to be more consistent with reading before bed to help me wind down and get away from the screen. I’m also trying to limit my ‘life admin’ to ‘am’ hours so that I don’t feel too bogged down.
Step Three - Embrace that One Hour
Admittedly, it’s not great that we’re only allowed one hour outside of our house each day to exercise but let’s flip it and embrace it. Try a new park or some back streets that you haven’t walked down before. Maybe try and shake it up and finally give running a go! Try to bring some new into what you do each day so that it stays stimulating and enjoyable. Also, even though it can feel hard sometimes, get out of your house every day. A sunny winter Melbourne day can be amazing.
Try and set yourself the small goal that you will try and be consistent with your self-care. Remember, this is probably one of the most challenging time you have ever been through. It’s ok to not be ok. If you find that you need a little additional support or would like someone to speak to about bringing your joy back, Piece by Piece Therapies is here to help. We have fully adapted and are offering telehealth and online appointments. The Federal Health Minister also announced this week that people in Melbourne would have access to an additional 10 sessions on their Mental Health Care Plans, which now means you have access to Medicare rebates on 20 sessions with a Psychologist.
If you would like support to manage these tough times, please feel free to reach out to our team at Piece by Piece Therapies but clicking the button below.
Happy walking!