How to Feel More in Control Through This Covid Chaos
As humans we all, naturally, crave a level of control. As parents we can often feel our control is challenged, or we lack it altogether…and that’s without the added pressures of a global pandemic.
These are some simple tips to help you regain a sense of control
Focus only on the things in your control
It seems obvious but how much time are you investing in things you have no influence over at all? Do you find yourself talking about what other parents are doing? How their kids are managing with home-schooling? Are you obsessing over what date lockdown will finally be lifted? Don’t! You can only do you – focus on that – the things you do, the conversations you have, the things that consume your thoughts. By refusing to waste time on things you can’t affect, you will create much more space to focus on the things you can.
Think micro-goals
Setting yourself mini-goals or tasks is a brilliant way of building momentum. If you’re feeling over-whelmed – how can you break things down? What would things look like if you moved the dial in a particular area of your life just one little notch. Progress, however seemingly small, is powerful; it breeds further progress and helps you feel more in control.
Frame things in the positive
Your subconscious is a marvellous helper; without you realising, it will be scanning your life, looking to reinforce the things that are important to you. Tell yourself the things you want to do more of, not less of e.g. ‘I’d love to use a calm tone with my kids’ rather than ‘I wish I was a less shouty mum’. Your subconscious doesn’t see that one is positive and one negative so will look for the ‘clam’ or the ‘shouty’ – whichever you tell it to.
Be kind to yourself
This situation WILL end, and, in the meantime, you are doing a phenomenal job of keeping all those balls in the air. When we look back on this time, we will see superheroes; keeping ourselves and our families safe, fed and secure. So, for now, hug those around you and don’t be hard on yourself.