Nicole Wiesen
April 2021

Managing the anxieties that come with the return to normalcy

As strange as it may sound, many families I know, and myself as well, have grown accustomed to living under the limitations caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. The routines we have become accustomed to during the past year are now changing, as we begin to return to how we lived our lives before the pandemic began.

As life in Santa Clara county gradually returns to normal, our nervous systems alert us to remain cautious and apprehensive about how we may feel being free to be among other people again. For the past year, living in isolation has been difficult for all of us. We have all been changed and will continue to feel vulnerable and have the need for safety and reassurance. These feelings come from the collective upheaval of our normal lives, which were put on hold for a year, as well as a pervasive sense of uncertainly about the future. Even with the growing hope that the virus is under control, we will continue to long for stronger feelings of emotional and physical stability.

As things around us move gradually towards a return to normal living, some people are comfortable and eager to get back to their regular active routines. However, some of us may still be feeling tense and concerned about venturing out. The events of this past year have reminded us of how fragile our sense of control in life really is.  A helpful approach to living with the uncertainties of life is to find meaning in our lives. If we can learn to accept our human limitations and have deeply felt conversations with ourselves and with God, we can begin to accept how little control of our lives we really have. Thankfully, we can find meaning in who God is and trust that His plans and purposes are perfectly orchestrated. If we can find a meaningful way to live with uncertainty, then we can learn how to live in spite of our lack of having only limited control of what happens to us each day.

Taking things slowly and not pressuring ourselves unnecessarily are important as we consider what we are ready to do. Accepting our limitations, not judging ourselves or others, and not comparing ourselves with what other people are doing will be very helpful. Giving ourselves permission to ask for help and then receiving help are also an important part of managing stress. It's also good to be grateful for all that God has given us and to remember that He is always with us no matter how painful life can become.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus as the perfect solution to our weary hearts. We can also remind ourselves to give gratitude to God every hour of every day as we remind ourselves to relearn over and over how victorious our God is over every perceived threat we see before us. God is always patient with us and He will never abandon or forsake us. We can find great comfort in remembering His presence, His protection, and His Grace in the battles we face each day. 

So continue praying, wearing your mask, washing your hands, and keeping social distance, even if you have had the COVID-19 vaccine. Remember, as God is with us and protects us, we are also responsible for the well-being of others.