Anyone Else Grieving Pre-Covid 19 Life?

13 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 11,2022 at 3:58PM UTC

   I struggled with moving to a remote life but then I really came to love it.

   I could never go back to pre-covid life. I love my extra time and less stress. I especially love my focus on me. Selfcare and measured productivity.

   I would make a list of all the "pros" your new life offers.

   Also, you can easily decide to connect with coworkers more often or even change jobs where a hybrid office schedule is offered.

   I attend yoga classes in the park a couple of times a week during lunch and I also schedule hikes on the nature trails near my home with meet up groups.

   There is much you can do to get the most out of our post pandemic world.

2. Becca CarnahanApril 11,2022 at 4:12PM UTC

   I'm so sorry for your losses in these past three years. That's incredibly difficult. There is a lot of grief that comes with loss, whether that's the loss of a loved or the loss of a job, a home, or a way of life. This has come up so often in conversation with friends and clients over the past two years so you are definitely not alone.

   Something that has helped the people I've talked to a lot is going to therapy - whether in person or over Zoom. Therapists are amazing listeners but also have great tools and framing that can help people through the toughest of times.

   From a job perspective (more my area of expertise) have you looked at other job opportunities in a hybrid or in person setting? This doesn't diminish the grief of not seeing your old coworkers, but perhaps there is another work environment that will be a better fit going forward.

   Sending you lots of love!

3. AnonymousApril 11,2022 at 5:18PM UTC

   I'm definitely grieving many things about the past that I feel I lost. Obviously your family members and dog cannot be brought back but when it comes to your work environment, if you want to see your colleagues, I'd just try to organize something or ask your manager / company to do it. OR if you decide you don't like remote working and its isolation, perhaps you can find a coworking space or even a new position that has on-site working? I don't know if these are realistic ideas given that it seems like you enjoy your job and remote working but this seems more in your control than some of the personal things you mention. Big digital hugs.

4. Lisa HughesApril 11,2022 at 5:23PM UTC

   I think that everyone has had a change of some kind that will never be the same. I would suggest joining a support group for people who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic or seeing a therapist about all of the above.

   I would also suggest that if you are truly unhappy about being remote, and it is affecting your overall mental health or way of life, consider finding something that is more in line with your goals. It's okay to be a bit selfish when it's something you're going to be investing considerable time in for the rest of your life.

5. AnonymousApril 12,2022 at 3:12AM UTC

   Yes for sure. It’s crazy how much can change in a short period of time. I’ve also lost a couple of people. It’s good to talk about it. I hope you have some good friends to support you.

6. HILDA GApril 12,2022 at 6:30AM UTC

   I have heard of success stories as well during pandemic situation. These stories though were never highlighted during these times were sad and sob stories find its way to all who want to hear this out. My piece of advise is get yourself busy. Try new things silently. Meet new people (like this one maybe). Volunteer for those who are less fortunate than you. You can do it one step at a time. Don't rush, just be in control and remain steadfast. You can do it! :)

7. Chris WeisbarthApril 12,2022 at 12:57PM UTC

   I know mnayan folks that are struggling with this. We spend the majority of our day of the majority of our lives at work and the people that we see there everyday become our "norm". We have precious few moments to spend with family and our fur family - losing them is a loss that we can only learn to live with knowing we will be with them again and that they want us to continue to live and be happy.

   Pre Covid I worked remotely 2 out of 5 days and occasionally would take an extra day here and there when needed. I worked in Atlanta and the 16 mile commute took between 1 1/2 to 2 hours everyday that I can now get back. However, sitting alone in my office at home with no one walking by and pooping their head in, no meeting up in the employee lounge and discussing this weeks new coffee or being cramped into a conference room - I do miss it. These people we spend so much time are now gone. Sometimes we feel disconnected and alone. I am a corporate trainer and can tell the difference when performing virtual training vs. in person. The performance level drops in virtual training. People feed off each others energy and comradery. My survival has been my fitness club. It was shut down for a month during covid and that was hard but once it opened. Being in environment around others like a step class or even a Zumba class kept my mind and body engaged. The added plus is that you produce endorphins when you exercise and that makes you feel good. In fact, I love it so much, I became an instructor and now every Friday after work I teach a class. The women that come to my class come to "exercise away" the stress and worries of the week. We have even started going out for a Friday coffee/tea after. The virtual world is going to give you better work balance but your mental health will take a toll if you do not find your balance outside the office.

   At work, stay connected to those - we use Microsoft Teams and chat during the day -send pics - and we will call each other and turn on the video. It helps.

   You got this, you can create your new environment. Both in your home office and outside your home office.

   When you are ready - you will get a new fur family member who will want you to play, walk and love them. For now, take those long walks and deep breathe.

8. Joanne RosenApril 12,2022 at 3:34PM UTC

   In a way, I was lucky because my business is 100% online so nothing really changed. But, still, my mental health has also suffered the past couple years.

   The pandemic changed far more than our work situation. It made us live in a constant state of awareness, divided people because of fake news, and left us all vulnerable to emotions that were at odds.

   What about going to a shared workspace once or twice a week? Find a group there that will be in on the same days and create your own bonds. The great thing is, you won't be talking about work because it will be different companies.

   Cheers

   Joanne

9. Jennifer KaufmanApril 12,2022 at 9:58PM UTC

   Things got so bad for me in the early days of Covid in 2020 I actually had a nervous breakdown and ended up in a psych ward.

10. JJApril 13,2022 at 1:38AM UTC

    I hope you are doing better. It is brave to talk about your challenges.

11. Jennifer KaufmanApril 13,2022 at 7:01PM UTC

    Thank you so much. I am doing better.

12. JJApril 13,2022 at 2:06AM UTC

    Yes this has been a very hard time for many people and you are not alone.

13. AnonymousApril 13,2022 at 2:15PM UTC

    Yes - ME. While we are back on campus part time, it is not the same. I miss the old ways, my old self and trying my hardest to settle into the new norm. I find I am not the same person and some of my family do not understand. After talking to family every day in the beginning I do not need to have contact multiple times a day just to say Hi or listen to their bitching about life and how I can't travel to see them (I have an autoimmune disease which makes me very careful to where I go), etc.

    I am trying to look forward to what I have done, what I can do and how I can help others as ways to get through. Good luck