When the World Feels Out of Control
Article by: Alex Bullock, LCSW
If you enjoy having control over yourself, your life, and your world, you are not alone. We as humans tend to feel our most comfortable when things go as planned and we feel as if everything is just as it should be.
We are used to dealing with lack of control in small doses- a friend or family member who is acting in an upsetting way, news at work that you wish would have never happened, or some not so great health news that causes you or a family member to change course. These are the types of things that have come up over the years and we know how to process the news and move forward. We are very used to receiving small doses of bad news.
But what happens when there is a global pandemic that causes chaos and division that largely changes your plans for yourself and your day to day life? How can one move forward when so many of the creature comforts of our past lives have become unavailable?
If you are still struggling at times to accept this “new normal”, you are not alone. The level of uncertainty and anxiety in today's world is extremely high.
The best way to counteract this lack of control is to focus on what you can control. Try to notice in a day all of the choices that you are still able to make and how they affect you. What are you choosing to spend your mental energy thinking about today? What kinds of foods are you putting in your body? Could you prioritize a call to a friend or some quality time with a family member today?
At a time that feels out of control, I challenge you to pivot and think about what you have control over. It will make you feel more sane, more satisfied, and more motivated.
Bala Cynwyd Therapist
Alex Bullock is a therapist practicing at our office in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Alex supports people across the Main Line and from the city of Philadelphia to develop a healthier relationship with themselves through CBT and mindfulness based therapy. She can support you in adjusting to the “New Normal” that Covid has created. To schedule with Alex for an appointment at our Bala Cynwyd office please click here.