Post-lockdown Anxiety: Time to celebrate or fear the return of normal?
Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash
COVID is disappearing in the US and there are shouts of joy and relief everywhere you turn. Now that the vaccine has proliferated, so, too, have the easing of restrictions across the country. With the blooms of the Spring trees, there is a sense in the air of rebirth; life after lockdown has finally arrived. So, too, has post-lockdown anxiety.
Not all are excited about this so-called return to normal. For many, lockdown has offered a welcome reprieve from social demands, long commutes, crowded streets, and even wearing pants. Comfort has been found in the quiet solitude and simplicity of pandemic life. The sudden return of chaos is like a buzzing alarm on extra high volume after a relaxing afternoon nap. The difference is, you can’t shut this off.
It might be argued that much of this post-lockdown anxiety is not so much about withdrawing from comfortable isolation as it is having to face the pressures of wearing many non-COVID masks and living a life that might not actually be as fulfilling as previously thought. We are a social species, and it is in our biological nature to be around other people. What is not in our nature is loud traffic, sitting all day in a buzzing office, happy hours, crowded shopping malls, and pants. Really, once upon a time pants did not exist.
For those who are weary of breaking out of their cocoons, here are a few suggestions to help ease some of the anxiety and fear:
Take your time
Just because it seems that everyone is rushing to do all things that were off limits for the past year, doesn’t mean that you have to as well. It’s a lot for any system to handle such an abrupt change in stress and energy exertion. Maybe just add in one thing every other week that you previously had not been engaged in. Meet a friend for an outdoor drink or coffee. Maybe then level up to a full meal. Eventually, you might move indoors or even have a full night out. There is no reason you need to do all things all at once right away tomorrow.
Don’t force jubilance if it isn’t there
If you’ve been enjoying the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of your home and the company of just a few close friends or family, then that is something really important to honor. The pressure to have lots of friends or always be out and about doing “exciting” things is not something you have to succumb to. There is nothing wrong with you if you are satisfied with more simple and quiet endeavors. Or, if you prefer to only do big things every once in awhile. You do you and don’t be ashamed of your grounded introversion.
Wear your mask if you want to, but avoid unnecessary masks
For sure, this past year has instilled an intense fear of physical closeness and non-mask wearing for many. While the CDC has recommended that people who are vaccinated can finally do away with our shields, that doesn’t mean that you have to force yourself right away. Your fear is valid and totally normal! Of course, you don’t want to give into the fear forever, but nor do you have to jump just because the rules suddenly changed. As we all begin to slowly do away with these masks be careful of replacing them others. Much suffering comes from all the “shoulds” we put on at the expense of authenticity; the forced smiles, the personality we think will win over the most people, the suppressed frustrations or needs. The pre-pandemic metaphorical masks that you might have been able to do away with in the safety of your home and behind the camera of Zoom should stay in the metaphorical garbage forever.
Honor what you’ve learned about yourself this past year
Perhaps this past year has allowed you to come to know aspects of yourself that you previously might have ignored. This is a good thing. Maybe you decided you prefer a night of board games over getting drunk at the club. Or perhaps the urban life you thought was so important for your sense of self and success has turned out to be more a burden. If you long for or have found pleasure in the suburban or even rural life, join the masses in securing that mortgage. If you’ve found that nature brings you unparalleled pleasures, family is more fun than being popular, and cooking at home tastes better than most starred restaurants, embrace it!
Wear comfortable clothes
Let’s face it: We’ve done away with corsets, cod pieces, powdered wigs, stockings, doublets, hoop skirts, bustles, and lead based face paint. Maybe we’ve finally reached the time to do away with formal wear altogether and make yoga pants and sweats the norm. Well, maybe that’s a bit extreme, but the point is that we can allow ourselves to be a bit more comfortable and stop trying so darned hard to impress everybody all the time. Clothes are only a symbol of how our minds and social interactions also have tended to be constrained by so many impossible standards, expectations, and efforts to impress. This past year has been so relieving for many because we’ve been able to be more authentic, comfortable, and healthy.
This can be a time for self-reflection and reconsidering priorities and expectations. If you’ve got post-lockdown anxiety, it’s likely a sign that your past tendencies may not have been the best for you. It also may be an indication to take things slow and nurture your fearful parts. This past year has been scary and confusing. To just immediately be able to throw that off and be fine is itself a ridiculous expectation. Now and always is an opportunity for nurturing and embracing your deepest needs and true self. With or without pants.
