Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
In the midst of 2020, there’s quite a bit of uncertainty. We’re uncertain about when we can safely go out in public again, when we can stop worrying about our family getting sick, and worst of all- if we could be carrying the virus ourselves. It’s easy to feel like there’s a lack of control in our lives.
The hard truth is: our uncertainty, our anxiety, and our negative attitudes about the coronavirus aren’t going to make it go away. We can complain about it and wish it gone all we want, but it’s here to stay until the vaccine comes out.
Instead of “wishing it gone”, we must accept that it’s here and shift our way of thinking. We must focus on what we can control, and accept that the coronavirus is going to be a constant (at least for awhile). By doing this, we’re freeing our minds from what we cannot change and allowing ourselves to focus on what we can.
We really can’t control other people, only ourselves and our reactions. So, we have to ask ourselves.. what can we do to help make this situation better, and what do we have the ability to do now that we didn’t before?
An obvious example is wear a mask. By wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing our hands we can help ensure we don’t get anyone around us sick. We also have the opportunity to help people in need, rethink that dreadful job, get some daily exercise in, or finally start that new hobby.
Focusing only on what you can control can also help in more practical situations outside of the coronavirus. For example, you can’t control how your boss treats you, but you can control how you react to him. Is it worth talking back to him? Should you actually take what he says to heart, or is this just how he treats everyone? Again, you can’t control what other people do, but you can control how you let it affect you and how you respond.
Adopting this mindset isn’t going to solve all your problems, but it is going to ease your anxiety and empower you to see what opportunities you have that you wouldn’t have otherwise. You’ll feel happier for releasing some of that responsibility you actually had no choice in.
As you start this week, I encourage you to make a list of things you do have control over in your life right now. Then make a second list of things you’ve been putting off that you’ve been wanting to do. I bet you’d be surprised to realize how much control you actually do have in your life right now and inspire you to start moving on your goals.
After you do this, comment below and let me know how you felt afterwards! If you felt this post was helpful, make sure you pin the image below to your Pinterest board to view later. If you’d like to stay in the loop about every Monday Motivation post, make sure you subscribe below!
