Coronavirus — Staying Positive. COVID-19 has placed the global…
By: Will Stennett
Tags: Help, Positive Thinking, Positivity, Improvement, Coronavirus

COVID-19 has placed the global community in a unique position that has never been seen before. In this state we find ourselves isolated in a time where togetherness is crucial. We find ourselves worried and pessimistic about the unknown future in a time where positivity is critical. For many, the prospect of the future is very bleak.

COVID- 19 has ignited a fuse that is set to blow up the market system. Suddenly, the idea that the market decides all has been crushed as self-isolation causes many sections of the market to seemingly cease. Existence in times like these is no longer profit and money driven. It is now based on survival. Jobs are threatened, whole industries (without intervention) such as airlines, event industries and high street shops are set to fold. More worryingly, those that rent, those that pay mortgages and those without a place to stay all face the potential for a future without one of the key sections of survival — shelter. Food, although not in shortage, is not on the shelves as people sweep them up due to fears of survival. In these initial periods of outbreak, we find ourselves worried and scared as we have no sight of a vaccine, no sight of an immediate end to this and for many nothing to do but sit down and distract themselves from the anxiety. In many ways this initial stage is the scariest as things are so unknown. What I urge for in these times is not a neurotic panic that causes us to act in symbolically or physically violent ways towards each other such as stockpiling food or lavatory roll that others may then be unable to have. The world a few days had the processes to provide enough food and enough water to last for decades, this has not changed overnight so neither should you. I suggest we replace neurotic panic with a justified and accepted fear. These are fearful times, and to suggest we shouldn’t be worried about the immediate and distant future is to be in denial about the situation we are in. But this does not mean that we should crumble beneath the weight of fear.

Be aware of the fear but do not allow it to encompass you. Know that much of what is occurring is out of your control. It is a waste of energy and happiness to focus on things that are out of your control. Instead we should focus on what we can do as individuals in times like these. I would argue that we see these few weeks in isolation as a time for self-reflection and self-improvement. Ask yourself if there is anything that you wish you had done before the outbreak. Make a list of these things. Make sure you do them, if they are still possible, after the outbreak. Right now, many of us have three things: time, a laptop or phone and an internet connection. With these you can learn a language, learn yoga, learn to meditate, learn to dance, learn about anything you like with the use of online reading apps. The possibilities are endless. Find something you are passionate about and learn about it, find a skill that you wish you had and learn how to do it online. The possibilities are endless. It is amazing what can be done in three weeks with determination and dedication. How many times did you say to yourself before this you wish you had more time to yourself in your busy schedule? Now is the time. Use this period to expand your knowledge, expand your skills and expand experience with reality through pratices such as yoga and meditation. Trust me you’ll feel better if you do them and go in to them with an open mind. There is nothing better than seeing yourself improve.

Anybody who has come through a difficult time in their life realises that ultimately it makes you a stronger version of yourself. See this situation in the same light. Use the fear to thrust you forward in the future. Remind yourself of the fear and boredom you felt in quarantine once the outbreak is over. Use that fear to propel you in to the future so that you fear nothing but not doing or achieving enough. Don’t allow yourself to stagnate and watch Netflix all weekend like you might have before the outbreak but resent being forced to do now. Know that any change that this causes is not the end of the world or the end of your world. It is merely a change and a test. This is a change to the world and a change to your world. You may lose a job, you may lose an opportunity, you may have ended university early. But know that other jobs will be created and perhaps in areas that are better for the sustainability and future of our planet in response to this. You do not appreciate what you have or appreciate the simple things until they are taken away from you. Think about this and allow yourself to appreciate them now and after this is over. Appreciate the people around you, appreciate being outdoors and appreciate the small things in life that you take for granted. This is the key to happiness.

Finally, I would urge us to all educate ourselves on this situation. Climate change has played a massive role in enabling viruses like these to crop up due to warming climates creating more hospitable conditions for them to flourish. Deforestation has increased contact between humans and animals which facilitates the spread of disease as well as bringing us in to contact with new species and new viruses that we have never seen and do not have the tools to fend off. Animal mistreatment in China and elsewhere has created scientifically perfect conditions for the spread of disease (caged up animals in very close proximity to humans and other animals in unhygienic, damp and hot spaces). Finally, it is apparent that the tools and plans to fight off such diseases if they get out of control are not there. In fact, there is no plan, response or prepared contingency for such an epidemic — yet there is for a military invasion or nuclear war. This period of difficulty will cause many questions to be asked. But with the correct positive attitude to change it can lead to a more sustainable, healthier and happier future for many.

I do not say these things to scare you. I say them so that if enough individuals are aware of the problems and aware of ways to cope and deal with these tests then we start to create a society of people with the same attitude. We create a society of people willing to positively change themselves, a society willing to change the way they live in a positive way and a society willing to change our planet for good. Surely this is the sort of society we would all want to live in?

This may be the end of one chapter our lives. But with every end comes a new beginning. Let’s make this new beginning for both ourselves and the planet one driven by positive focus, positive change and appreciation of the world and people around us.

Stay happy, healthy and productive everyone.

Will