Captain’s log, day 30. Here in Rome, we’ve now been over four weeks in near total lock-down, and there’s no immediate end in sight. This also means shifting to low-gear in our inner life, aiming for the slow-and-steady, rather than the fast-and-furious. That includes also taking care of our mental health (and that of others), and social (media) distancing can be part of the equation.
Mental health. Yes, we speak too little about it. Usually men speak of it even less. But we need to slowly continue to break the taboo and remove the stigma. We all have our mental health to take care of, and times of crises tend to heighten the issues.
Social (media) distancing. We’ve all heard of social distancing. Perhaps have thought less about social media distancing. Many of these platforms have been designed to get us to “engage” — or should I say hooked on? — more and more. Some do give you back some control; in the case of others, you may need to wrench it back through other means.
Avoid excessive consumption. I’m quite a junkie for social media, but times like this make me realise the need to pull back. For my own sake, it’s not healthy to be stuck in 24/7, especially stuck-in Covid-19 news and social media posts. One thing is to keep yourself informed (and, please, check reliable sources … especially before you share), but don’t let it take over your life. Yes, it’s OK to take a step back, to disengage. I’d add, it’s even positively healthy.
Disengage. Never has the unfollow button on Facebook been more useful! I do not want to step back completely from Facebook and other platforms — social media is very useful to keep in touch, but only if used wisely. Nor do I want to unfriend people. But some seem to have nothing else to post about, and some of it rather dubious on a medical / technical / theological level. Rarely has a social media argument led anywhere useful, so often it is healthier for all concerned to disengage and take a step back. (It’s also the season when the trolls seem to be out of their caves more than usual).
Un chiodo tira l’altro (literally, “one nail removes another”), as the Italian saying goes. It helps to engage in positive behaviours when trying to control negative ones.
Be creative. And no, I don’t mean the Newton-invented-calculus-during-the-Plague-and-Shakespeare-wrote-King-Lear approach. That attitude can be positively toxic. You are not your work, and if your workplace/academic institution makes you think otherwise, it’s good to at least be aware of the toxic environment it creates. This will be even more true over the Easter recess: if I cannot go on holiday, I can stay on holiday: my automatic out-of-office notice is already set up on my email. But it helps to be creative. Find things that are, for you, life-giving — perhaps music, poetry, drawing, photography, cooking, gardening — you name it.
Engage with other things. This build on the first. The internet and other media are full of resources that can help engage with other things. Watch a great documentary (I’m a documentary junkie), enjoy a good film. If you’re stuck home with flat-mates or family, perhaps some board games that you can enjoy together.
Remain active, as you can. Even for those of us who are locked in, there’s many exercises that are doable at home. Perhaps there’s that unloved stationary bike somewhere in the garage or shed. Yes, I’d rather hit the pavement and go for a run, but in the meantime, a good hour on the bike, watching some Alberto Angela documentary on RaiPlayer is a great option!
Keep in touch. Be particularly mindful of family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, acquaintances whom you know will be having a harder time, whether it’s loneliness, economic reasons, or issues in their personal lives that you may be aware of. Check-in (with due discretion) on people, to see that they’re OK and ask if they need help. For many, this is a rougher time that usual.
Stay safe! Take care!
Nova et vetera 