Topic Tuesday // Covid-19 and reflecting on the dynamic times of 2020 // Tues 15th December, 7-8:30PM AEDT

[Former-Member]

I feel like there are probably so many lessons from this year, it's been a crash course in managing distress with limited external resources!

My biggest lesson from this year was that it’s normal and part of life to have negative emotions (especially in a year like this). Grief, heaviness, anger, frustration are so normal at different times. I learnt more than I ever have that having some acceptance of this can really help me to cope during difficult times. I will say though this is a work in progress, it's can be hard work to extend some acceptance to those really painful emotions! 

[frog]

Lessons @Daisydreamer I'm still processing it, but it has reinforced how critical self care is, and also made me very conscious of never taking things for granted.

[TideisTurning]

I guess speaking to what a lot of you have said, the biggest and most important lessons for me were that it’s ok not to feel ok, it’s ok to have off days and it’s ok to let myself feel those hard emotions and to let them out with a good cry or scream (into a pillow). I also learnt, through what I’ve gone through, that I am a lot stronger than I ever thought I could be or gave myself credit for and that my present is very different to my past. Really curious to hear what everyone else has learnt 😊

[TideisTurning]

Yes @frog!!! 🙌🙌🙌

[Daisydreamer]

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Trying not to assume anying and remain hopeful.

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100% agree with you @frog💙 Not an easy thing to do at times, but holding hope in the toughest times is powerful 

[Judi9877]

Hi @TideisTurning . Things are improving to a point in that I was able to spend 2 hours on my own in the library crocheting and listening to an audiobook I downloaded away from my housemate and sister which was nice. It was like the first time since March that was able to happen which was great and so relaxing. The hard part I'm struggling with is looking for rental properties since some agents still want to 'vet' the applications before you even look at the properties  which isn't what is meant to occur now restrictions are off. They said it's all part of the laws of the real estate institute of Victoria which i know isn't true and that's hard because it's like they judge you before you get to even see the property. Video inspections are also bad as they make me dizzy and I do know that agents don't show everything, especially if there is mould for example. They expect you to take a property sight unseen and just give the landlord money for bad properties that they won't fix. It's hard.

[BlueBay]

At the moment my hope is dwindling very quickly @Daisydreamer  for a good year. I should be positive but how when this year was so bad scary uncertain. How do we know what next year will bring. 

[Former-Member]

@frog it's amazing how these tough times highlight what is precious or important. 

@TideisTurning that is awesome you discovered you were stronger than you knew 🌿

[Daisydreamer]

Such a powerful take away from this year to learn to accept and sit in difficult emotions and recognise they have a place @Former-Member

The reference to a work in progress is really important too

[frog]

Agree @Former-Member @Daisydreamer re acceptance. And patience is another biggie for me.