This Covid-19 Pandemic has been quite the test of normality and mental stability. Here’s a little solace for those times you’re not okay. Full disclosure: today, I am okay. However, there have been days in this pandemic where I have not been okay. Days where I felt paralyzed with fear and anxiety. That I had to remind myself that I could draw breath, that the corset-like tightness around my ribcage was all in my head. This is not a metaphor. I’ve woken up in the night from sleep with anxiety-induced pain and had to get up and walk around until my muscles loosened, and I could take full breath again without consciously telling myself it’s not possible. It’s okay to be not okay. We’re in an unprecedented situation. Some of you may be working in essential services, having to put yourself at risk daily. Perhaps you’re not working and worried about your finances. Others may be trying to work from home, school their kids, or even both at once. None of us know when this is going to end, when the world will feel safe once again. Meanwhile, we’re being bombarded with messaging that suggests this is the time to […]

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