During times, when the WHO begs you to stay at home, your government even forbids you to meet your groups of friends and solidarity requires you to spend time alone, why don't you start dating yourself?
"Dating yourself" might sound strange or even sad to you and maybe other people would agree. But think about it, this is a special and rare time to get to know yourself better. Usually, we spend so much time on other things than ourselves. In a fast living world with unlimited opportunities to keep yourself distracted and occupied, your inner needs can come too short easily. But the corona virus stopped all of us! And if you are not one of the many unlucky people that are already directly or indirectly severely affected by the corona crisis, then it is almost your obligation to take care of yourself now. And taking care of yourself, also means to deal with yourself and to get to know yourself better. I want to address and challenge you and all those people that might mourn because a party has been cancelled or because they cannot go on holidays anymore. Yes, you deserve to have pleasure in life and it sucks your freedom is limited, but you are not dying! These times are hard and challenging, eventually because you and everyone else is forced to spend time with themselves now. But see it as a chance: Date yourself, get to know yourself and work on the relationship with yourself!
I recommend to use the time that you can spend with yourself now effectively, listen to your inner needs and get to know yourself better. It’s not that much different to dating. You shedule time for yourself and you stick to it. You don't want to make a bad impression, do you? You think about enjoyable things you could do. How about a fancy dinner or a long walk in the beautiful nature where you can finally be alone with yourself? Listen carefully to your inner voice. What do you need to be happy, what did you struggle with the last years and what do you want for the future? If you actually like the person you are dating, wouldn't you try to support him or her with your ideas and advise? So, why don't you help yourself out now and start brainstorming. Do you want or need to spend more time doing sports to be happy? Would you like to read more or learn how to play the guitar? If the relationship to yourself is complicated, you should use the time to figure out ways to connect with yourself (again). Think about it: You have to spend all your life with yourself, so work on your relationship! It is also possible that you have to change your dating behaviour completely. Did you observe behaviour patterns that hindered you from reaching your goals in the past? Do you actually spend more time on things that do not help you to reach your goals and stop you from being your ideal-self ? Think about it, how can you achieve the goals you set for your relationship with yourself? Yes, corona crisis is also a good excuse to not follow all your goals and plans but believe in the fact that there is a time after corona (AC). And these times can also be the start of something new. Maybe you have to break up with the "old you" and start all over again. Did you set yourself unreachable goals in the past? Looking like a young Giesele Bündchen until summer, for example? Did you set yourself goals that do not make you happy even if you achieve them? You might have tried hard to get a job that you know you will not like. Or did you plan to buy a car that is actually out of your financial reach ?
Question yourself, are my goals actually want I want and do I do everything to reach them? Should you change some of your old habits and how could you do so? Think about reasons why you might have distanced yourself from your goals and let go of them if necessary. Start setting yourself small, reachable, realistic and useful goals! ( I will publish an entry with helpful advices on goal setting ). Also, how do you ensure that your new habits will survive in the future when times become more busy and stressful again?
Nevertheless, I know how many people actually suffer from the circumstances at this moment. How many people struggle to deal with them and themselves and need professional support. I wish everyone all the strength and resilience they need to overcome the current situation. Try to be patient and trust that new opportunities will come in the future. Until then, try to stay healthy - physically and mentally. All the best for you and your loved once. Best wishes, Johanna