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This is loss and grief

This is loss and grief.

Tomorrow is Friday and will mark end of Week 3 staying at home. Initially, we may have been excited that we don't have to be stuck in traffic or save a few coins while we are indoors,but now week 1 has become week 2 and now week 3.

We are now getting bored, tired, restless, missing our normal lives and can give anything to go back to our routines but friends we shall never be the same after this, we may have to find a new normal.

What we may be experiencing is loss and grief and it is normal. Yes, it is normal. You see when loss occurs, whether of a loved one, a job, a relationship or item you loved, we go through various (e) motions. We go through denial,numbness, bargaining, anger, sadness, and 'acceptance'. Can you identify with any of the emotions? I sure can.

Please don't be deceived that these emotions flow systematically. Today you may feel that you have the strength to face the day after a trigger like watching a press briefing, opening a video or a notification pops of a family vacation or hook up with a friend , you realise you cannot actually go as planned. This may trigger sadness, anger or even a positive feeling like determination to reach out despite social distancing.

On Sunday, after being indoors for 2weeks, (please don't stone me) , we took a short drive with windows closed & returned home. The ride was supposed to be refreshing but it made me very sad. I missed our freedom,I missed travelling on Sundays to the physical building  we used to call church,I missed walking into a restaurant with the children and grabbing lunch, I missed visiting my family and friends, I missed hugging my mum and friends  etc. I was going through grief and it is normal. It does not mean I am depressed, it just means, I miss my 'normal life'.However, just being aware of how I felt and looking for treasures I have found in my new normal life gave me some strength to kind of accept where I am at.I am taking it a day at a time.

What has helped me this far? My spirituality for sure. Prayer (individual and corporate), gathering together to read God's word(zooming, Facebook Live, you tube videos), guarding my heart and not opening all forwards sent my way, being grateful for what is working, listening to music and the list goes on.

Am sure your list is different and that's okay but please remember to keep reaching out even in those low and high moments. Today it's me, tomorrow it's you. Let's take care of each other.Let's journey together in this unfamiliar path.

Blessings Sylvia

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