The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.
Now that we can (hopefully) see the soon to be light at the end of the tunnel for the quarantine and the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, I want to make sure we continue to check-in with ourselves and our own mental health. Things are starting to open up again after over a year and things will slowly begin to work their way closer to “normal.”
With these changes, it is going to be important to check-in with yourself and how you feel. You could end up going back to work, going back to school or just even being able to safely go out to dinner with friends and family. Although these interactions may be positive to be able to spend time with others, they may be overwhelming. We need to remember that for some people, a lot of interaction over a short period of time may be stressful, especially when we have gotten somewhat used to a secluded way of life over the past year.
It is okay to ease back into your normal life slowly, and we may feel exhausted after a full week back at work, school or whatever else you have responsibilities to do. Just continue to check-in and make sure you are not stressed, overwhelmed or frustrated. If you are, it is okay to take a step back and work into our normal lives slowly. We cannot go from 0 to 100 without some sort of adjustment and that’s normal!
I know that when I am around others after I have been alone for awhile, I can find myself getting worn out and exhausted easily. I usually try to ease back into my social activities and be sure to take time for myself when needed. This can even be stepping outside for a quick 10 minute walk or excusing yourself to take a drive. Others should be able to understand that these situations can be overwhelming and it’s okay to leave if time is needed for yourself. Even just to the bathroom to breathe for 10 minutes.
Continue to take care of yourself and give yourself as much time as needed to be able to adjust back into your normal life and social interactions.
Have you talked to your child about this new transition coming up? What advice would you share with them?