I have to be honest.
When self isolating started to take place, it kind of felt a little familiar.
But it took me a few days to figure it out.
You see, self isolation is already a familiar experience to people who have already gone through losses such as death, divorce, job loss, abuse and neglect.
People like us know how to be at home alone.
We know how to process a hard day without anyone by our side.
We have gotten used to the feeling of no human contact, or touch.
We certainly know how to eat alone.
Watch TV with our pets.
And sleep solo.
This has already happened to millions of us over the years.
The only difference is that we did it with a broken heart.
Without anyone knowing about it.
We also didn’t have Netflix parties, and family facetime calls.
We had to tell everyone we were doing just fine by week three or four.
The TV news reporters did not spend their news hour talking about the hardship of our lives.
Nobody was telling us ‘we are all in this together.’
There was no ‘together’ for us.
Now millions of people are sharing with each other what is happening to their lives.
And that is the good news.
I am grateful that so many folks are not going through this alone.
But, the media needs to take advice from people who have gone through this before.
We know how to pull through after days and months of isolation.
We know how to walk into a busy grocery store when we are uncomfortable in doing so.
We know how to keep going regardless of the unknown future.
We have been through much worse.
The government did not try to pay our bills when we ran out of money during our isolation.
The medical system did not say don’t worry this is on us, when we got sick and needed a test.
We had to figure out how to make a living while trying to stop the sky from falling on us.
And maybe one of the many lessons we are learning right now is that being isolated and afraid of the unknown, is not easy.
Whether it is a choice or an event that has made this happen, it is a hard experience.
I hope, as we pull out of this difficult time, we take with us free medical care, government funds for unpaid bills due to a life altering event and lots of talking about how hard being alone really is. (Click to tweet!)
Dear world, welcome to our world of loneliness, deep loss and uncharted territories, we promise you growth, lessons and above all wisdom for the ages.
With lots of self isolation experience,
Christina
P.S. If you need a virtual support group during this time come on over: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifereentryc19
Thank you Christina for saying out loud exactly what I’ve wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! I might add that even now, many people still don’t understand how blessed they are to be isolating with their loved ones and not completely alone. I would spend the rest of my life in isolation if it would bring back my husband.
Me too Tammy! This is so hard! ????
Oh yes!!
I absolutely feel the same way Tammy!
What most of us wouldn’t give to spend one more day, hour, or minutes with them.
Christina,
Thank goodness we had YOU to help us back then when we were & still continue to be ????????????!
You are a God sent angel to all of us. We could never thank you appropriately enough. Here’s to the Grief pioneers who compassionately continue their journey with your help and love. Together we are changing the world. ????❤
I can’t even stand the talking heads on TV talking about “doing a puzzle together” or “cooking a nice dinner with your wife” or any of the other bullshit they are spouting! Argh! They. Do. Not. Get. It.
Oh yes! All so true and familiar. I love this article Christina
Thank you Christina for speaking the truth. My thought everyday when I wake up and view this pandemic changed world is …… welcome to my world. I just wish “you all” could take this walk on your own and maybe then you will understand what I have been going through for the last year and a half. When my friends, who have been telling me how strong I am but don’t want to hear how it really is going in my world start complaining about the isolation of being stuck home alone for 1 week, I am tempted to tell them you are so strong and handling it so well. But, I can’t because all those months alone with grief as my only companion has taught me the importance of listening and being there for those people who are struggling not just spouting platitudes. Hats off to all of us who know true isolation and survived it.
I guess that’s why I am not as affected by the stay home and isolate part of this. I didn’t think of it the way you just said it. So true. Thank you for all you do for us.
Absolutely true—every word. My husband died at the beginning of a brutal upstate New York winter—one blizzard after another for 4 months Now I live in sunny Mexico, but these days reminds me of that long, lonely winter without him. I take comfort from knowing that I am stronger, and more resilient because of that time alone.