Where are we now?

It’s been a while since each of us has been faced with a new reality, a reality that still shakes our ground from time to time. We are faced with some new way of life, to which we are still trying to adapt, each in our own way. With the challenges of dealing with the pandemic and earthquake consequences that have been common to us for some time, many of us are struggling to cope with work at home, losing and finding a new job, disrupted partnerships and family relationships, online teaching, with poor health, and certainly many more. Why? We often ask ourselves as we hear the same question from others, and the answer is very simple – it’s LIFE!

Life sets us many challenges daily. Some of them are pleasant and exciting to us, while others are uncomfortable and demanding and perhaps difficult. Just like in school, every day we get some assignments and lessons to achieve. For example, getting out of bed with the same morning alarm which often is difficult for us. But we still get up! It may be difficult and we may not feel very successful in this period, but are all the lessons and all the tasks at school or college equally difficult? For some lessons we need more time and energy to overcome. Also, we do not all need the same amount of time, nor do we have the same learning methods. In overcoming the great challenges of a pandemic, we have chosen different ways of overcoming the daily challenges. One part of us has tried to be productive by completing tasks, such as house works. Some of us have chosen to spend quality time with family, making it easier to go through this great life chapter. And part of us simply decided to take a break and take time alone.

What we all have in common is that all this time we have been dealing with and still are facing the challenges of a pandemic, as well as our own challenges, in a way that each of us knows best. Consider if you were able to cope with the demands of your current lifestyle if you were born shortly before the crisis. And why not? Because you would not have previous experiences, from the countless tasks and lessons that life has previously challenged you with. This is one of those experiences that can enrich and empower us for some of the future challenges, regardless of what is one of those unpleasant, difficult, for some painful experiences. In these moments, it is important to acknowledge that we are vulnerable and afraid, that we feel helpless and lonely. It is a common reaction to unpredictable and unknown circumstances, such as the one we have been in for some time. But it is also important to be aware of the mechanisms and strengths that each of us finds in dealing with a new everyday life.

This great chapter of life may not be over yet, but we are certainly no longer at the beginning. We have crossed one part of the journey, each with our own life force and knowledge. Because if you were not, you would not be here reading this text, learning, and growing again. 🙂

Consider what strengths have helped you deal with this situation so far. What did you discover about yourself?

Center Luka Ritz