There are a lot of articles like this that are outlining the impacts of long-term stress and anxiety. I'm glad we're having these conversations, because it helps people realize they're not alone. But there's another reason, too...1/n https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/03/business/pandemic-burnout-productivity.html

The symptoms described here: loss of short-term memory, anhedonia, inability to focus or concentrate, lack of energy, being unable to recall the most basic words -- these are things that were deeply familiar to those of us who have experienced chronic stress or trauma.

For those of you experiencing these symptoms for the first time, they may be scary, and it's overwhelming to try and figure out how to work and live like that. You may feel like you're losing yourself. It's awful, and it just compounds the stress we're already feeling.

For some of us, this was our life before the pandemic, too. And it will be someone else's life after.

Maybe you thought we were flaky, or we didn't care about our work or others. Maybe you were supportive, extending grace and offering help. Maybe it wasn't on your radar at all.

If there's one positive thing that comes out of this pandemic, I hope it's that we hold on to some empathy for those with chronic conditions, disabilities, or mental illness. That we remember to extend others the same grace we wish we were given when we felt like this.

Be kind to yourself. You don't have to pretend, to others or yourself. Finding healthy ways to manage your stress is far more important than whatever balls you drop (or set down). It's okay if you don't feel whole. Healing takes time. You're not alone. https://twitter.com/JacquelynGill/status/1333464503418228737?s=20