How are you coping with the continued uncertainty?
Uncertainty galore! It’s August 2021.
I don’t know about you, but I am unsure of what this fall holds for me.
Sure, I have plans and class schedules and meetings with clients. I also have conferences to speak at and attend, networking events to attend. I have a few weeks and mini-vacations planned, too.
But the COVID is looming and the numbers are going up, or exploding?, here, so I don’t know a lot:
will everything go online? AGAIN??? What does that mean for my teaching, for my coaching and supervision, and for all the other activities planned, including hosting guests from overseas?
Uncertainty rules my calendar? Does it rule yours? (Does it rule your heart and soul? I hope not!)
How can we go into the fall with a calm and resolute heart to move forward positively?
First, decide not to decide (too much). For me that means sketching out my lesson plans but not deciding on how to teach the lessons, yet. (hybrid? On-line? Only in person? – that waits now till at least September 1stwhen the government will decide how to go forward in Switzerland). Of course, that means I have less time to prepare, but it will be okay, I think.
What about you? How can you learn more flexibility?
For those who are still at home (mostly) and don’t see the end of the drudgery, what can you do to mix up your week? Maybe a weekly course (online, or in-person if you want) is right for you? Maybe there’s something you would still like to learn? I have a friend who is taking up saxophone.
For sure, we need to keep moving, even as the weather is starting to turn (at least here north of the Alps). If you don’t have a daily and weekly movement routine, make one now. It takes about 60 days to create an in-grained habit and it’s better to start before the Advent/Christmas holiday eating frenzy.
Also, keep on planning. I have a friend who is planning on visiting me in November na d I am planning a mini-vacation when she comes so I can enjoy her and enjoy traveling around Switzerland with her. I have a nephew building a tiny house on the ocean so he (and friends and family like me) can stay there and go fishing. That is also a plan, but it means work in the present.
We all need to have hope and planning is a way to have a forward-looking positive to hang on to when it gets boring staying at home. What do you want to plan for?
Of course, be grateful for past moments and accomplishments, too. Yesterday our larger Jehle family braved the storm (literally) and had a lovely picnic on the Rhein, and it was one of the last hot days of the summer here, I think. I am grateful for a lovely family on two sides of the Atlantic. What are you grateful for?
Finally, savor the good things you have: your cute dog, your lovely garden, your friends and family… whatever you cherish, savor it. This means taking time IN THE MOMENT and enjoying the moment and the activity/or thing that is beautiful, lovely, wonderful.
Enjoy your week, hanging lose, planning sparingly, and enjoying the moment.
Patricia Jehle
