The Fear of COVID-19
A couple of weeks ago I got sick. The can’t-get-out-of-bed, don’t-feel-human anymore kind of sick. After more than a week of lying semi-conscious in a bed of my own snot, my breathing took a turn for the worse.
Suddenly the mucous pouring down the back of my throat felt like cement, slowly closing in on my windpipe. Each breath felt like I was breathing in fire. Just a few steps to the bathroom was like sprinting a 100m.
And of course, my brain freaked out, convinced I had COVID-19. I was completely terrified of having a ventilator shoved down my throat. Panicked at the thought of leaving my children without a mother.
Making Friends with Fear
On the night of the worst of it, I spent hours huddled on the floor shaking in fear. But then something shifted in me. Somehow the words of my mentor snuck through the panic, telling me to make friends with my fear. And so, I did.
Instead of wishing I wasn’t filled with anxiety and fear, I leaned into it. Of course I was afraid. Fear is a natural human response when faced with potential danger. I kept repeating this thought: “I am scared and that’s ok.” In this time of immense fear, I was able to create self-compassion by allowing myself to feel exactly what I was I feeling.
Fear is Not a Problem
Now that I’m feeling much better, I can look back on the experience through the lens of a life coach. Here is what I learned: fear is not a problem. We can do fear AND we can find peace. We are all facing a potential danger right now. Our lives have been uprooted. It’s ok to be scared or angry or panicked. However you are feeling today is ok. It’s not a problem. Lean into it. Find compassion for yourself. Tell yourself, “I am feeling _____ and that’s ok.”
Right now, it’s natural to wish things were different. To focus on the negative. To fear the unknown. But your brain will stay stuck in this place of fear and negativity if you let it. If you feel like you just can’t dig yourself out of the negativity, I can help. Book a complimentary mini session where I will walk you through the exact process I used to create calm and acceptance during times of fear.
Book your complimentary session here >>> https://schedulelindsayshortcoaching.as.me/minisession
