Small Steps

Are we tired of this yet?

Of course we are, but don’t let it drive you to any rash decisions.

I’m not going to get into a (potentially political) discussion here of whether it is more important to engage in social distancing and other safety measures or to open things up with an eye toward the economic benefits. Those answers will vary in different areas and even across occupations and situations. There are not going to be any universal ‘right’ answers.

So with that being said, with whatever decisions you are making, try to be sure you are doing so from a reasoned and calm space. We will not be well served by jumping into a return to normal because we are antsy and want to get out, but we are also not well served if overgrown fear dictates our decisions too far into the future.

Let’s trust those who know more than us. This is not to say that there is any one source by which we should all run our lives, but look at places you are sure are giving good information, and weigh what it means for you in your individual situation.

This type of strategy can feel difficult, though, because it makes concrete answers difficult to come by. For instance, the federal tax deadline has already been pushed back to July 15 and now there is talk that it could be pushed back another three months (or more?).

Then there is the case of unemployment. There is the obvious huge and disheartening number that about 20.5 million people joined the numbers of the unemployed in April. At the same time, though, around 18 million of them are only expected to be temporary. So there is a light at the end of that tunnel.

These are just two recent cases of how things are constantly changing. It is yet another thing that makes this time difficult and decision-making feel impossible as the rules keep adjusting. Just keep living within the rules of the moment and make the incremental moves within them. Do what is legal, within your comfort zone, and does not endanger others. Those lights at the ends of those tunnels may feel distant, but we keep moving toward them with those small steps - even if some of the steps meant hunkering down and not moving for a bit.

And breathe deep. We are tired, but we will wake. 

Warmly,

Josh Bousquet
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