Hello my sweet friends, 

No matter where you are reading this blog, you are likely feeling the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. It’s been an tremendously tough and uncertain week for us here in the United States, and I know worldwide, we are all feeling very anxious, scared, and maybe even angry.

I’ve been taking this past week in self-isolation to really dig deep and tap into ways that I can be most helpful to you, my dear community. I know that many of you rely on Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life to help navigate life, both the good and bad. And, I know that we are deeply in a time that feels very bad and overwhelming.

For us here in the States, the overwhelm is very real, as we just don’t know what life is going to look like from one day to the next. We are glued to our TVs to get the next action order from our leaders (which often never came), and as things closed down, others stayed open, and the feeling of helplessness, restlessness, overwhelm, and everything in between, it’s easy to want to break down and call it quits.

I’ll never lie to you and say that this time is easy, for anyone. But it’s my job to help you find some tangible, practical ways to maneuver through it, to make it feel maybe a teensy bit easier, and to help you to see the bigger picture of it all; the light at the end of the darkness.

As we settle in to, what looks like a new normal, I want to put forth some tips for managing the undoubted overwhelm that will come your way, at one point or another. Overwhelm tends to bubble to the surface when there’s too much energy and information, and not enough stillness to process and proceed.

It is my hope and intention for you all this week to quell the feelings of overwhelm so that you can be a steady pillar of strength and trust, as we move through this very uncertain, and unprecedented time in our lives.

1. Carve out some time for silence and stillness. It is in these moments that we can see and hear clearly. That we can know what’s true for us, that we can understand the actions to take, and that we can cultivate the strength and bravery to take the next step.

2. Cultivate positive self-talk. I know this sounds cliche, especially at this time in life, but I urge you to hear me out! It’s even more important now to be your very own cheerleader. Remind yourself of your capabilities, that you can handle so much, that you already have handled so much, that you are always stronger than you think. In these make or break moments, we tend to flounder when our minds give up on ourselves. Give yourself the leg up, and train your brain to be your best advocate in these times.

3. Remember that you don’t have to have it all together. I keep telling myself that, there is no handbook for handling a pandemic. And it’s true. We have literally never been through anything like this before, so why would we ever expect to be perfect and maneuvering through it! It’s okay if you’re a mess, we are all a mess! It’s okay if you mess up, we all will. Trying to be perfect in a pandemic is like trying to stay dry in a hurricane. Impossible! Release the need to be everything, and focus on one thing, and then the next thing. You can do this!

4. Make your tasks manageable. In times of uncertainty and change, it always feels like there’s so much to do and not enough time. That frantic energy of scarcity and lack makes us feel worse than we already do. Make a schedule for yourself if that gives you peace of mind. Dole out tasks for each day. Give yourself bite size chunks so that tasks feel easier to swallow. No one is asking for us to be superheroes during this time, they’re just asking for us to be human, and to remember our humanity. We can’t do it all and be it all, all it once. But we can get a lot done when we know ourselves enough to give us the tasks in a manageable way.

5. Be a source of strength for others. Sometimes we get wrapped up in our own dramas and we feel like there’s nothing we can do. One of the biggest sources of energy and strength for me at this time is being of service to those in my personal life and in my community. Reach out to a friend who might be having a hard time and offer an ear. Offer to bring over some groceries to someone who might not have the time to make the stop. Get creative with how you can be helpful. When we reach out to those we care about, we are also reaching back in to care for our souls. I do truly believe that we are all in this together, and so when one of us thrives, we all will thrive. We can be that source of love and happiness for one another.

I want to close by reminding you that there is no map for these uncharted waters. Remember that we are all just doing the best we can with what we’ve been given. Remember to be kind, be patient, and understanding with others. Be compassionate towards those around you, but also for yourself. Remember your strength and resilience, and know that it will take you far.

I love you all,

Michelle

Michelle Maros is Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life's Creative Director and resident writer. She has a degree in Journalism from Indiana University and is also a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and registered yoga teacher with trainings with Anuttara Yoga Shala and Strala Yoga. Michelle has a deep desire to help people find happiness in all areas of their lives, and truly believes the Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life movement will bring lasting change to the world. Michelle splits her time between Florida and New York City and loves connecting with people from all over the world. If you'd like to contact her, she can be reached at 

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