The pandemic as well as a turbulent political landscape ,compelled  individuals around the world  to adopt five fundamental strategies for coping with near overwhelming challenges.

1.COVID Caution: Embracing Physical Distancing and Mask-Wearing
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated an unparalleled level of caution in our daily lives. Physical distancing and mask-wearing have become the norm, serving as crucial shields against the virus's relentless spread. These measures not only safeguard our health but also demonstrate our commitment to the collective well-being of society.

2.Financial Resilience: Finding Stability in Income Sources
The pandemic's economic fallout has underscored the importance of financial resilience. Individuals have had to reevaluate their income sources, diversify their financial portfolios, and adapt to an ever-changing economic landscape. The ability to weather financial storms has become a key component of personal stability.

3.Love and Spirituality: Providing Care and Spiritual Comfort
In times of uncertainty, our need for love and spiritual sustenance intensifies. Many have found solace in deepening their connections with loved ones and exploring their spirituality. Acts of kindness and compassion have emerged as powerful tools for nurturing both the giver and the receiver.

4.Grief and Healing: Navigating Loss and Mourning
The pandemic has inflicted widespread grief and loss, leaving individuals grappling with the pain of losing loved ones, jobs, and a sense of normalcy. Navigating grief and healing has required an immense reservoir of resilience and the ability to find meaning in the face of tragedy.

5. Political Engagement: Making Your Voice Heard
The political upheaval that has swept across nations has motivated many to become more politically engaged. People are using their voices, whether through voting, activism, or advocacy, to shape the future and bring about the change they seek.

Despite the adoption of these strategies for personal stability, some individuals may still find themselves mired in distress. The root causes of this distress can be surprising and deeply personal.

Threats to Personal Stability

1. Changing Supports: Friends and loved ones undergoing transformations
The people in our lives are not static; they evolve, change, and sometimes drift away. Witnessing friends and loved ones undergo transformations can be disconcerting and emotionally challenging.

2. Unhealthy Coping: Friends turning to harmful habits, isolating, or chasing unrealistic dreams
Some friends may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms in the face of adversity. They may turn to harmful habits, isolate themselves, or pursue unrealistic dreams, which can be distressing to witness.

3. Fading Connections: Struggling to connect with familiar faces
The erosion of connections with familiar faces, whether due to physical distancing, diverging paths, or emotional barriers, can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Additional Coping Strategies

In a pandemic situation, as personal stability wavers, it is essential to employ effective coping strategies:

1. Recognize the reasons behind your unease
2. Shed guilt
3. Extend compassion and forgiveness to those struggling.
4. Give yourself self-compassion.

Compassion is a powerful tool. Acknowledge that it is natural for people and yourself to undergo changes and challenges. Let go of any guilt or resentment you may harbor.

Explore options:

Adaptability is key to navigating personal challenges. Consider building new support networks, reinforcing existing ones, or embracing a combination of both as you embark on a journey of personal growth.

Diagnosing the source of your pain is the first step to a more positive, pain-free life.  Your pain may be the result of the loss of support and connection from those grappling with their own issues. Understanding this empowers you to seek solutions.

The ongoing challenge is to stay safe and navigate the ever-changing dynamics in your life with resilience and empathy. In an era marked by uncertainty, the ability to adapt and support one another is the cornerstone of personal growth and well-being.

Joanna Poppink, MFT, is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD and adult development.

She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR, FL, UT. Author of Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: recovering from your eating disorder 

Appointments are virtual. For a free telephone consultation e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.