We’d like to share a letter from O2X Human Performance Specialist and Resilience Expert, Maria Trozzi. Please take a few minutes to read her thoughts on how families, care-givers, and individuals can adapt to this “new” temporary way of living.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Child care-givers,
The pandemic has asked a lot from us. Working from home, caring for our family, caring for ourselves in isolation when there is no end day yet…. What has prepared us for this required NEW way of going? Nothing that I can name.
Therefore, two things to consider….spacing and pacing.
Many of you are parents of young children and teens; some of you are first responders and medical professional staff who live alone. No matter what your living situation, imposed isolation is not our norm. Humans are not built to live in captivity. It’s a lot.
1. Spacing: Creating your necessary distancing from others
If you are a parent, build into your daily routine at least a couple of time periods when you can be alone with yourself. To do what YOU want. Creating that space will cushion the rest of the time when every family member demands a part of you. It will minimize that scratchy feeling of being out of sorts and help you to be more patient…. for the days that follow.
If you live alone, create at least a couple of times each day when you will reach out and FaceTime with a friend, a colleague, a loved one who may need a chat. A five or ten minute check-in is restorative- for you both.
2. Pacing
I worry that we expect too much of ourselves. It’s a lot. Inhibiting the pandemic requires us to give up control of much that has defined our way of going. It’s like learning a new skill. Under pressure.
“Practice, practice, practice….makes better,” is a well-worn phrase that my grandchildren have heard from me when they face learning new skills such as riding a two-wheeler, tying their shoes, batting a wiffle ball.
With each day and with each week, we are, in effect, practicing a new skill as we adjust to this ‘new way of going’ that is out of our control. In time, we may discover what helps us and what does not. In the process, be kind(er) to yourself. It’s a lot.
Be well,
Maria Trozzi, M.Ed
O2X Human Performance Specialist
Author,Talking with Children About Loss,Penguin-Putnam
Co-Founder, Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine
Program Director, Joanna’s Place
Psychotherapist/Grief and Resilience Specialist
