WE LOST OUR WAY OF LIFE, DEATH OF THE OLD NORMAL

WE LOST OUR WAY OF LIFE,  DEATH OF THE OLD NORMAL

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a profound loss for all of us - our way of life or what we used to call "the old normal." The pandemic has forced us to change the way we live, work, and interact with each other. It has caused widespread grief and anxiety as we try to come to terms with this new reality.

In times of loss, it is common to go through the five stages of grief identified by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. These stages include denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. It is important to note that grief is a highly individual process and people may experience these stages in different ways and in different orders.

Denial is often the first stage of grief, where people may feel shock and disbelief that the loss has occurred. Many people initially denied the severity of the pandemic or underestimated its impact on their lives. However, as the pandemic persisted, it became clear that we were facing a significant loss.

Anger is the next stage, where people may experience frustration, anxiety, or even rage at the situation. People may feel angry at the government, other people, or even themselves for not being able to prevent the loss. The anger may be directed towards the virus itself or towards those who are not taking the pandemic seriously.

Depression is a natural response to loss and can be characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation. The pandemic has caused widespread depression and anxiety as people struggle to cope with the loss of their way of life. Many people have lost their jobs, their social connections, and their sense of purpose, leading to feelings of despair and loneliness.

Bargaining is the stage where people may try to negotiate or make deals with a higher power to try to reverse the loss. In the case of the pandemic, people may try to make deals with God or the universe to end the pandemic or to spare their loved ones from getting sick.

Finally, acceptance is the stage where people come to terms with the loss and begin to move forward. This stage does not mean that people are happy about the loss, but they are able to find a way to live with it and move on. Acceptance may involve finding new ways of living and working, developing new relationships, or finding new hobbies and interests.

The loss of our old way of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread grief and anxiety. It is important to recognize that grief is a natural process and that people may experience it in different ways. By acknowledging and working through the stages of grief, we can find a way to move forward and adapt to this new reality. While the pandemic has brought about significant loss, it has also shown us the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.