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I had a bit of an emotional break this afternoon. Nothing major, but enough where I shed a few tears.
I don't normally share personal stuff on Twitter, but maybe posting it can help someone else who feels a bit overwhelmed.
So for better or worse, here's what happened:
I don't normally share personal stuff on Twitter, but maybe posting it can help someone else who feels a bit overwhelmed.
So for better or worse, here's what happened:
I'm in my third week of working from home. My days mainly consist of keeping our website updated with the latest. Obviously, there's plenty out there, especially involving the new coronavirus.
This morning, I heard this report about how high the COVID-19 cases in Michigan are growing.
I didn't realize it right away, but that stuck with me.
(FYI, while I'm happy to be in Minnesota, I'm originally from the Great Lakes State.) https://www.npr.org/2020/04/06/827922308/as-crisis-worsens-covid-19-strains-michigans-health-system
I didn't realize it right away, but that stuck with me.
(FYI, while I'm happy to be in Minnesota, I'm originally from the Great Lakes State.) https://www.npr.org/2020/04/06/827922308/as-crisis-worsens-covid-19-strains-michigans-health-system
Since the pandemic started and our newsroom began working from home, I've made an effort to message coworkers "How are you?"
They respond honestly. Overall the answers tend to be "holding up," or "hanging in there." And my reply has been relatively the same when they ask me.
They respond honestly. Overall the answers tend to be "holding up," or "hanging in there." And my reply has been relatively the same when they ask me.
Today, I couldn't say that.
When she offered the same inquiry, I cried a bit.
When she offered the same inquiry, I cried a bit.
In the back of my mind, I keep thinking about the people behind all these numbers. The loved ones lost.
I started to worry about people I know back in Michigan. That worry grew to the friends and coworkers I have here in my new home.
I started to worry about people I know back in Michigan. That worry grew to the friends and coworkers I have here in my new home.
I responded to my coworker, "Honestly, I'm not doing great."
That helped a lot. And her response was helpful too.
That helped a lot. And her response was helpful too.
Granted, I'm fortunate, I know my family is healthy right now. To my knowledge, I don't have any friends or acquaintances who are sick due to the new coronavirus. And I'm still working, so I'm grateful for that.
I know there are plenty of people having a worse go of it than me.
I know there are plenty of people having a worse go of it than me.
I guess I'm putting this all out on the table for two reasons:
1) Whatever you're feeling right now, it's valid. It doesn't matter the circumstances.
2) Be honest, at least to yourself. If you are happy, be happy. If this hurts, it's ok to feel sad.
1) Whatever you're feeling right now, it's valid. It doesn't matter the circumstances.
2) Be honest, at least to yourself. If you are happy, be happy. If this hurts, it's ok to feel sad.
Also, I know that you can't just "shake it off" or "get through it." Sometimes, you need help to process this stuff. (Side note, I've been learning a lot about mental health lately, though I don't pretend to be an expert.)
I don't really have a great way to end this, so I'm just going to say that I think being honest with myself helped me a lot today. Now, I'm going to get away from my computer to cook something tasty and take a long walk.
Take care of yourself.
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Take care of yourself.
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