8 Tips For Thriving During A Crisis

One definition of “crisis” is: an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life.

And I think, with what’s going on around the world right now, crisis is exactly what many people are experiencing, not least those who suddenly find themselves with no jobs and no business (which could lead to foreclosure on their home, for example).

For some, being on lockdown at home will be stressful – not for me, fortunately, because that has been my chosen way of life for 14 years now, and I’m an introvert by nature.

Then there are those who have been forced to homeschool their children for the first time.

Some may find the additional tension of being with their partner and/or children 24 x 7 unbearable.

Others have lost people who are close to them – friends and family – and while it’s difficult to say for certain that these people died because of the virus (i.e. as opposed to with it, because government guidelines, in the USA at least, say that they don’t even need to test for the virus to claim it as the cause of death).

And the other major source of stress, for many, is fear of the virus itself, regardless of whether they have been infected or displaying symptoms.

In a similar vein, there is the uncertainty of how the world will look when all this is over, which can also lead to fear because the unknown can be scary for many people.

The other thing to bear in mind is that a crisis can look different to different people.

One person might cope with job loss very differently to somebody else, because of their individual situations, experiences, skills, etc.

For example, one person might have no idea how they’re going to keep supporting their family, while another might have a hobby they can quickly turn into an income. (This article provides more information about how to do this.)

One person might be old and have several other health issues, which may put them at greater risk, while another might be young and fit and healthy, which carries a potentially lower risk.

So, these moments can leave you feeling scared, overwhelmed, or angry – or any combination of these, of course, and in any order.

While there’s no magic wand that can be waved to restore whatever “normal” means to you, there are certain things that can be helpful to remember when you’re facing a crisis, and that what this article addresses.

Acknowledge Your Pain

Some people try to get through a crisis by shutting down the pain.

Maybe you do this, too. Perhaps you ignore the emotions you’re feeling, burying them deep within yourself. Or maybe you cover them by engaging in self-destructive habits such as binge eating, engaging in retail therapy, numbing yourself with alcohol, or self-medicating.

But while these habits can temporarily make you feel better, they can worsen your problems in the long-term (as indeed is the case regardless of whether there’s a specific crisis at the time).

In fact, these habits may even prolong a crisis situation for you, creating a bigger mess for you to clean up.

So, instead of trying to quiet the pain, acknowledge it – allow yourself to experience your feelings without judgement.

That may mean taking time by yourself to cry, scream, curse, pray, or yell.

Whatever you choose, it’s usually better to find an outlet for these deep emotions than to experience the frustration of having them pop up when you least expect it.

Be Kind To Yourself

Being kind to yourself is an important part of getting through a crisis, because during this type of stressful situation, you may be tempted to be harder on yourself than usual.

For example:

• You may berate yourself if you forget an important project or task.
• You might find it difficult to concentrate and focus as you normally would.
• You may have difficulty with simple tasks that normally don’t take you a lot of time or that don’t typically challenge you.

In these circumstances, it can be tempting to berate yourself or let these moments affect your self-esteem.

But during a crisis, it’s essential that you remember that it’s important to be kind to yourself and to speak lovingly to yourself.

Remind yourself that you are talented and smart, and make sure your self-talk is about how what you’re going through is temporary and that you believe you will come out on the other side of this current crisis.

Cling To Your Support People

There are certain people in your life during a crisis that can be vital to helping you make it through this time.

These people may be friends, family, or even members of your community that have wrapped their arms around you.

And remember that friends you have on social media can be just as important, especially if you cannot leave your house to visit friends anyway. I know that out of the hundreds of Facebook friends I have, there are many I truly care about and would do whatever I could to provide comfort if asked.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and let them know when you need something. For example:

• You may want to reach out to a friend when you’re having a bad evening, just to call and chat.
• You might want to meet up with a family member for coffee after a particularly difficult day making decisions about end-of-life care for your aging parent.

Embrace Routines That Comfort You

During a crisis, try to hang onto routines that you personally find comforting.

For example, if you always walk your dog after lunch and find that soothes you, then continue to do it (assuming that’s still an option).

And if you used to go to the gym on the way home from work, and you can no longer do that, then try to create an exercise routine you can do at home that mimics your regular work-out as closely as you can.

With all the doubts and the fears that can come during the crisis, it’s essential that you embrace routines that comfort you because they can help you concentrate, find your flow, and give you a feeling of control in the middle of all the chaos.

Escape For A Few Minutes

Spend a few minutes each day consuming content that allows you a brief mental escape from your current situation.

This content could be anything that you like, such as:

• A sparkly vampire romance novel – you know the ones I’m talking about here. 🙂
• Your favorite Korean television show.
• A soundtrack that always lights you up and makes you feel good about yourself.
• A home video of your children playing.
• Music you find especially relaxing.

When you do this, you’re giving yourself a mini-break from what you’re dealing with.

However, it’s best if this content is not related to what you’re going through.

For example, if you’re caring for an aging parent that has Alzheimer’s disease, then a TV show featuring a plotline about dementia could be triggering and may make you feel worse.

So, carefully consider the kind of content before you choose it.

Forgive Yourself

It’s harder to manage your life during a crisis – some things will fall between the cracks or you may find yourself forgetting things more easily.

You may also not be able to do everything you’re normally capable of doing.

For example, if your child was just diagnosed with a serious illness, you may temporarily step back from some of your responsibilities at work, or you might say “no” to some community commitments you normally enjoy.

You therefore need to forgive yourself for the things that you can’t do right now – release them and be kind to yourself during this time.

Let Go Of Old Expectations

Things will be different in the middle of a crisis.

And even after a crisis, sometimes things are never the same again and this might hurt.

For example, if you suddenly lose your spouse, obviously, celebrating holidays will never be quite the same.

If you face a foreclosure, your old routines may be disrupted. You may not be able to participate in your normal neighbourhood activities, and this can be painful.

Understand that it’s normal to experience pain with shifting traditions.

But at the same time, it’s important you allow yourself the space and the grace to embrace new things.

This could mean starting new holiday traditions now that your spouse is gone.

If your home has been foreclosed and you’re no longer in the same neighbourhood with the same friends, it could mean investing in a new community.

Remind Yourself Of Your Strength

What you’re going through now may feel like the worst thing you’ve ever encountered, and that’s a valid feeling – your emotions aren’t right or wrong.

But if you lean into negative feelings and give them value, you may find yourself collapsing under the weight of your crisis.

And needless to say, you don’t want to do that.

When you start feeling that this is the worst moment of your life, remind yourself of your strength.

Try to look back at your life and see where you were strong, because these were moments when you chose to take back your power and your control.

Perhaps you left an abusive marriage in your past. Maybe you walked away from a job that wasn’t a great fit. Or perhaps you moved to a new city, even when all your friends and family were against it.

Tell yourself that you are strong, and you have come through worse. You will get through this, even though things are difficult right now.

Conclusion

During a crisis, you might feel broken and alone – and these feelings are completely normal and understandable.

But it’s important you don’t get hung up on these emotions and listen to them too much.

You already have everything within you that is required to fight this battle – however old you are, you have survived everything that’s been thrown at you so far, without giving up, and there’s no reason you cannot keep that streak going.

And finally, don’t forget to download your How To Face A Crisis And Come Out Stronger Workbook.

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Affirmation Software
2. Home Work-Outs
3. How To Face A Crisis And Come Out Stronger Workbook