Guidelines for Re-Entering the Post-Pandemic World with Confidence

With the vaccination numbers rising, getting back to something close to normal is finally looking more like a reality. But this prospect can also induce anxiety in many. Part of it has to do with returning to the stressors of everyday work and social life. Part of it has to do with new concerns about health and safety. And for many, especially those who have spent long periods of time in quarantine or lockdown, reentering society can be challenging to their confidence regarding their appearance, social skills, or even their place in their community. Here are some ways to reduce stress and boost confidence as you prepare to go back to what you once knew as normal.

Start small and go slowly.

If you are feeling uncertain about returning to ordinary everyday activities, reintroduce yourself into once-familiar places gradually. You don’t have to plunge back into all the activities you used to be involved in. You don’t have to meet up with people all the time. If you are not ready to meet up with acquaintances in larger groups yet, that’s fine. Start with small meetups, with maybe one or two close friends. Before moving on to a busier social life, schedule maybe one additional event or activity a week to see how that feels.

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries.

Everyone has their own pace for reentering after COVID. And you may find that others are less cautious about public health than you are. It’s okay to establish boundaries and tell people “no.” Setting boundaries is important both for protecting your mental and physical wellness, and for giving you some degree of control over your circumstances. You can also protect your energy by simply refusing to engage if people want to question or criticize your choices.

Focus on the positive.

If you are worried about returning to certain spaces or activities that are unavoidable, such as going back to the office, try to keep your focus on the positive aspects of what you’ve been missing. Are there people at work you look forward to chatting with again, in person? Or maybe a favorite coffee shop where you always enjoyed your work break? Think about those things and try not to dwell on negative concerns such as an overbearing boss, or whether everyone in your office is immunized. This is also a good time to reassess earlier projects you had to set aside due to the pandemic. Look at the goals you’d been hoping to pursue and see if you can get back on track to attaining them — but don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Protect your financial health.

The pandemic has increased financial stress for many, especially if you have been out of work or experienced income loss. Your overall confidence and sense of well-being will benefit if you are able to take charge of your financial situation and find additional ways to save. Having a budget will help you take control of your finances and know what you can and can’t spend on. Consider saving money by getting rid of unnecessary expenses such as subscriptions you no longer use. You can also potentially save quite a bit on your mortgage payments if you refinance, so talk to your lender about if this choice is right for you.

Pursue activities that bring you joy.

Remember all the fun, rewarding, and even joyful things you used to do, prior to the pandemic? You may be able to start doing them again! If you’ve been in emergency mode for a while, you may even have forgotten how satisfying it was to take part in cultural or arts events or to take trips and see the sights. Even if you are trying to be frugal, there are many ways you can still treat yourself to experiences that remind you how good and worthwhile life is.

The pandemic has changed every aspect of our society, so it’s understandable if you also feel it has affected your overall confidence and sense of self. Remember, though, that your best self is the self that did what you needed to stay safe and protect others during the pandemic, and that’s something to be confident about! For those seeking more information on dealing with life’s challenges, Maria Leonard Olsen’s writings and books may be able to help you.

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This guest post is by Cheryl Conklin, of Wellness Central. To learn more about Cheryl’s work, see www.wellnesscentral.info.

*Image via Pixabay.

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