What do I do?

It is a bizarre time right now. A bizarr-o world we're living in.

Experiencing a way of life that is different from every other day we have lived. I think it's safe to say that most of us haven't seen a world quite like this before where people keep far away from each other and the street are encouraged, or in some places enforced, to stay empty and quiet.

First things first, and that's the safety of people who are fighting the virus that has casted the shadow of its crown on the world. I salut everyone out there with boots on the ground, working to keep our people safe, fed and functioning; and I salut everyone who is fighting for their health and everyone staying at home fighting for each others' well being. 

Everyone is certainly impacted, one way or another. Some now work from home and others face even more uncertainty with reduced hours or have even lost their jobs. A question most of us face is...what now? Other than staying at home, other than riding out unemployment, what do I do?  

That is a really really overwhelming question. Imagine yourself in the first year of high school (or maybe first year of college for some) where the reality of your adult life is closing in and you have to make some decision about your career...a similar question comes up - what do I do [with my life]. Surely, we don't answer that question in one blow. We follow our interests, our experiences and perhaps our talents and then develop some vague picture that we work towards, slowly, day by day.

That's the key.  Take it day by day. The world we know today is not the world we knew yesterday. Yes, for some, business is as usual but in a very different setting.  You can't deny that the external world is functioning differently; you can't agree it's normal to hear the word "pandemic" every day.  

It certainly isn't the time to throw up your hands and give up on everything (but hey, if you need a break day or two, take that), but it also isn't the time to conquer all of life's problems head on cause you have extra time on your hands. When you physiologically try to digest "what do I do" in one bite, you put yourself at risk of choking. When you try to develop a game plan/solution immediately, you put yourself at risk of gearing into mental and physical overdrive (and inevitably exhaustion).  

Lean in and remind yourself that "What do I do" isn't a question that needs to be answered in one sitting. In fact it may be such a big question it doesn't need answering at all. But if it is a question that occupies your mind, allow it to be the button on the tip of an umbrella that shoots simple digestible ideas down to you like "go for a walk" "have a snack" "read a book" "FaceTime a loved one". These are all completely acceptable ideas to grab on to when you have an overwhelming desire to respond immediately to a question that your brain stormed up.

"What do I do" is your brains "fight or flight" response to you staying still, staying at home, not having plans for the evening. Your hindbrain (the bugger screaming "what do I do") knows it needs to protect you. It needs to keep you fed, breathing and filled with resources to, ultimately,  keep you alive. It's primitive and basic; evolution has allowed us to keep this feature in Brain.v.2020 because it does have important functions. Our frontal lobe in our better than ever Brain.v.2020 (updates include bug fixes, better organization and an assortment of new cooking ideas, with GF options), is so creative and so complex that as long as it's not inundated and surrendering to our hindbrain’s loud immediate demands, can conjuer up novel ways to solve our problems (in this case occupy our time in a way that fits our lifestyle and interests).  

Hindbrain is good when you're about to be attacked by a tiger or when you've touched a hot surface and need to keep your skin on...not so good to listen to when there is in fact time to develop a plan; when you aren't in immediate harm. COVID-19 is a virus that can impose danger, yes.  We have been given ways to manage this the best we can right now (don't make me write about social distancing and washing your hands, you should know this by now).  And if you're unwell you should monitor your symptoms and listen to hindbrain about getting medical attention.  Until then, if hindbrain sounds loud, remember you have time, take it day by day.  

From at least six feet away,
Sam