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LIFESTYLE

THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES BUT WE CAN

EMERGE STRONGER THAN BEFORE

By Dr Ilse Ruane

he current situation in which we nd
ourselves, with Covid-19, can be taxing
Ton us. These are tough times, but we can
emerge stronger than before should we work
actively towards achieving that. I have been
asked by several clients over the lockdown
weeks... what are some of the things I have
observed from this challenging time?

1. Mindset: stay positive
As clichéd as it sounds, a positive mindset is a
small but important part of getting through
these di cult times. When life takes a turn
for the worse, we can do one of two things.
We can remain positive and remind ourselves
that this will pass and that we will make it
through... or we can curl up and become a
victim of circumstance and context. When
we stay positive, we are putting ourselves in
the best possible position to make it through
the challenging times, as well as to become a
better person in the process.
It is okay to have down days. Life is not
perfect... but it de nitely is good. Our goal
should not be to create a perfect life but to
live the best imperfect life we can. To get up
every morning and take a good look around
in a way that takes nothing for granted.
Practice positivity and gratitude.

2. Gratitude
Gratitude means showing appreciation for
all the good in life, instead of focusing on
the negative. Become clear about what you
appreciate. What are all the things for which
you are grateful? We tend to be focusing on
all that we have lost at the moment. Let us
turn that idea on its head and start focusing evidence that promotes the stories we want because that is where the power lies. Make a
on what we have gained through this to live. list of everything you can control about the
experience. When we focus on being grateful situation and divert all of your focus towards
for what is going well and what is good, the It is pointless to learn from the di cult times those things. Anything that is not on the list,
problematic context does not go away but it if what we have learned does not directly does not get any focused attention.
becomes less signi cant and recedes into the a ect our actions. We need to take action.
background. Do not stay stuck. Immobility is a breeding 5. Growth through experience
ground for all sorts of additional issues and People develop slowly over the course
3. Change and action problems. So, make a list, make some phone of time. Sometimes we get so focused on
Currently, there is not much we can change calls, research something that interests you. the road ahead, that we never look back
practically about the situation with lockdowns Taking action is empowering. Take action... to see what we have already travelled. Let
and levels of confusion. Choices are limited any form of action, whether big or small. us pause for a moment and think back to
but we do have the choice of how we want 27 March 2020, day 1 of lockdown…. What
to respond. There are days when we can work 4. Focus on what you can control, not has happened in your life between then
actively to make the situation better. Often on what you cannot and now? Again, focus on the positive
the solution is not in plain sight, because if it Some situations are beyond our control, like things that have occurred. Perhaps it is
were, we would have found it. But if we can the infection rate and the political confusion... more family meals together, perhaps you
take a step back and see the bigger picture, and no matter what we do, we cannot have learned that your child is really good
we may discover something that can help. change those. We are setting ourselves up at technology or perhaps you have done
By stepping back, we gain perspective and for frustration when we focus our time and some research into the behaviour of the
can look at our experiences and memorable energy on things we cannot control. We are new Fish Eagle.
moments, despite these di cult times. By also making the situation seem worse perhaps
staying grounded in our beliefs and value than it actually is, because we are focusing Experience builds strength and character.
systems which provide the backbone to our on the negatives. We should instead focus Life is not lived in some distant land of
life stories, we enable ourselves to seek out on the things that are within our control... ‘someday when everything is perfect’. It is

16 • Issue 3 2020 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS