Blessed, Peaceful and Content

The global pandemic has caused mass trauma and rapidly transformed every aspect of our lives. This also led to many of us showing anxiety and fear because of the negative impacts stirring through all facet of society. The symptoms of trauma can manifest itself differently in individuals and will most probably continue to emerge long after the pandemic is under control. Whilst we are all experiencing the trauma and stress at certain periods, our levels of stress and reaction to the trauma also varies. Some people are wired to be more anxious and others to be more laissez-faire. Several people might also have difficulty accepting or understanding the change that has taken place.

I also experienced anxiety and fear in this time of uncertainty and I know that I will most probably still have these feelings of anxiety and fear in the future. I however also choose in these uncertain times to be content. The virus is still threatening and contentment might be seen as a strange feeling, but let me explain. I somehow made the decision to accept the situation in order to overcome my fear and to find reasons to be happy, even if it is at times a tentative form of happiness. I choose contentment as it brings about emotional upliftment. I indulge in activities like walking, yoga, playing a musical instrument and attending church services. These activities helps with my personal healing experience. It takes me on a path towards feelings of peace and contentment. 

I recall a number of years ago where I updated a status on one of my social media platforms to “BLESSED PEACEFUL AND CONTENT” (it’s still my status) and I received a message from someone asking me if I am okay because I seem morbid? The person was referring to the words of my status and indicated that I am morbid and was wondering why I am not expressing my “normal happiness.” This question came as a surprise to me as my feelings expressed in my status was not morbid at all. For me, to be able to feel peaceful and content reconnects me to my true north and it nurtures and nourishes my soul in a very satisfying way. It gives me a sense of peace.In the period following a traumatic event many feel sad and hopeless and it can be hard to cope with life and the future. I also experience these feeling, how can I then say that I am blessed, peaceful and content. I do acknowledge that it’s a work in progress, but thankfully I do get myself to a state where I feel absolute contentment. It is important to become aware of your susceptibilities and to work around them by building up skills that may compensate for certain sensitivities. I find that it helped me to structure my lifestyle to minimise certain stress triggers. 

Let’s engage, what are your coping mechanisms, what helps you to adjust to stressful events and to maintain your emotional well-being?