1/ We're going to need to look after each other really well in the weeks and months ahead.
This was highlighted to me recently when I was taking out my rubbish (trash).
I had a little stress reaction to getting a new rubbish bag. It really took me by surprise.

2/ I initially dismissed my feelings as bizarre and ridiculous.
I realised immediately that it was the tearing of one rubbish bag from the next that reminded me of tearing plastic PPE gowns off a roll.
I didn't understand why this association stressed me. So it isn't valid is it?

3/ Next time I was at work we were having a bad plastic gown roll day. You might know what I mean. The kind that rip and don't separate easily. It might take a couple of goes to get a gown and even then it can take a while.

4/ That made me think that I'm just an impatient person. It's not like I'm not being paid to test plastic gowns badly.
So now I'm just thinking that the bin bag reaction shows that I'm grumpy and intolerant.

5/ Then a few patients into my shift, I was seeing one child when a nurse poked her head in and said, "They need you in Resus. There's a sick baby and they're struggling with access." I removed my PPE, cleaned my hands and went to don new PPE.
The plastic gown roll tore again...

6/ So now I know that my stress is valid and based in something real. For that bin liner thing.
I also know that I had a stress response that I initially dismissed, then berated myself for and blamed on character flaws before coming to understand it.

7/ We're going through some crazy times right now at home and at work.
A lot of psychology will be going on in you, your colleagues and your loved ones.
Look after yourself and each other.

8/ One way to do that is to see someone who seems stressed or angry and ask them if they are ok.
There's a chance that they aren't but they don't understand why.
There's also a good chance that because they don't understand it, they don't think it's ok to feel that way.