How are you doing? Really, I mean it: how are you doing?
Life is weird right now. There is no denying it. COVID-19 has affected all of our lives in countless ways. Things have changed in ways we would never have dreamed of.
If you are a spring sports family, you are likely dealing with the complete cancellation of your season.
If you are a fall or winter sports family, then you are probably dealing with canceled spring practices, and the unknown of whether or not your seasons, while months away, will even occur.
Outside of sports, we are juggling countless other changes, such as being separated from loved ones, “homeschooling” our kids, working from home, being laid off, financial hardship, stress, anxiety, depression, and intense stir-craziness.
This is tough and unprecedented, and I would venture to say that whether we want to admit it or not, most of us are struggling.
I am here to assure you that you are not alone in your struggle. You are allowed to struggle and to feel the things you are feeling.
I wish I had an answer as to how long this will take to get through, but I don’t.
What I do know is that it is okay if you’re freaked out right now. It’s okay if you don’t know who to trust. It’s okay if COVID-19 scares you, and it’s okay if it does not.
It’s okay if social distancing, shutdowns, and all of the changes that have been implemented are frightening you, even though you understand why they were necessary.
It’s okay if deep down, you trust God, but you’re still experiencing anxiety. It’s okay if the thought of not interacting with others indefinitely, along with the temporarily changed world is throwing you into depression (even King David experienced anxiety and depression!) (source).
It’s okay if you’re worried about making ends meet as the economy looks bleaker and some have lost their jobs.
It’s okay if you’re mourning the loss of something you’ve worked really hard for (like so many of our coaches are currently doing). You’re allowed to mourn.
It’s okay if the unknown of our future makes you feel out of control. It’s okay to be looking for joy in the every day and making the best of this situation, while also struggling.
It’s okay to feel everything you are feeling right now. None of those things are selfish. You aren’t alone in any of this! The best way we can get through this is by loving, validating, helping, and strengthening one another.
If you are just surviving that’s okay. If you’re exuberantly embracing the extra time with family, that’s great too! If you fall somewhere in the middle, many of us are right there with you.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace. Do the same for others. There are a lot of hurting, confused, and scared people right now, and most of us are just doing our best to navigate these uncharted waters.
Yes, it is challenging, but keep showing up. Take care of yourself and others...this is the way we get through this.
And we will make it through this, okay?