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In which she feels like a potted petunia
Mar. 21st, 2020 05:10 pmIn the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (coincidentally, I happen to be 42 years old at the moment) -- at least as I recall it -- there's an infinitely improbably scene in which a whale and a potted petunia come into existence high over a planet. As they hurtle towards the ground, each has its own interior monologue. The whale goes through such questions as who am I? where am I? what's happening? what's that big round thing rushing towards me?
The potted petunia thinks, Oh no, not again.
In the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, I was more or less the whale. (With the exception of "I wonder if it will be my friend.") Right now, I'm more of a potted petunia.
( Comparison of disasters, and me, and much on cognitive dissonance )
Okay, point is I wanted to say to everyone: I can't give much good advice about getting through a pandemic, except that anything written by Dr Siouxsie Wiles is well worth the time to read.
But if you've got any questions about the emotional side of things, I've got you. For example:
You probably get the idea but feel free to ask your own questions!
I can also recommend what I fondly call the "mental health propaganda" that has characterised Christchurch earthquake recovery. The All right? website has a tonne of articles and resources. Some are earthquake specific and some are New Zealand specific but there's so much there you may well find something that speaks to you.
The potted petunia thinks, Oh no, not again.
In the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, I was more or less the whale. (With the exception of "I wonder if it will be my friend.") Right now, I'm more of a potted petunia.
( Comparison of disasters, and me, and much on cognitive dissonance )Okay, point is I wanted to say to everyone: I can't give much good advice about getting through a pandemic, except that anything written by Dr Siouxsie Wiles is well worth the time to read.
But if you've got any questions about the emotional side of things, I've got you. For example:
- Q: Is it normal to feel constantly anxious?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to feel really tired?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to not really believe this is happening?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to feel angry about everything?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to not feel much of anything?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to want to comfort all my friends, no, scratch that, everyone?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to want everyone to comfort me?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to be literally shaking all the time?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to walk into a room and forget why I went there, or to start making really stupid typos?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to be crying all the time?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to not be able to cry at all?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to be wanting to joke about it?
A: Yes. - Q: Is it normal to hate people making jokes about it?
A: Yes.
You probably get the idea but feel free to ask your own questions!
I can also recommend what I fondly call the "mental health propaganda" that has characterised Christchurch earthquake recovery. The All right? website has a tonne of articles and resources. Some are earthquake specific and some are New Zealand specific but there's so much there you may well find something that speaks to you.
