“Pandemic Flux Syndrome”…

With the threat from the delta variant bearing down across the United States, it’s almost hard to remember the heady days earlier this summer when many of us were experiencing relief, joy, even euphoria as we began to resurface from the pandemic. Barbecues with friends, dinners out, live music, connecting with people face-to-face — all of the antidotes to isolation we’d been craving became tangible realities.

During the week of June 14, as vaccinations were becoming widespread and public life seemed to be returning to normal, Gallup classified 59.2 percent of Americans as “thriving” based on their responses to a survey that asked them to evaluate their lives, the highest average score on that measure in 13 years. Optimism was through the roof.

But now, many people are experiencing a starkly different set of feelings — blunted emotions, spikes in anxiety and depression, and a desire to drastically change something about their lives. If this sounds familiar, you might be one of the many people experiencing what we’ve begun to refer to as “pandemic flux syndrome.” It’s admittedly not a clinical term, but it seems to capture something about the moment we’re living through…

All in all, if you’re experiencing increased sadness or anxiety along with an urge to dramatically change something about your life — some of the markers of pandemic flux syndrome — be assured you’re not alone. Many people are feeling such tensions. Although human beings are more resilient than we generally appreciate, it will take time for many of us to stably recover, to reflect and recalibrate. 

— Amy Cuddy and JillEllyn Riley, The Washington Post 

And now we’re dealing with Omicron, and we’re at risk of even more variants until most of the world is vaccinated. So the wealthier countries will have to assist those in need in order for us all to get out of this mess. That aside, there’s something very about comforting knowing you’re not in this alone. Of course we know we’re not in this alone, but personally I like to hear how others are feeling and how they’re coping or not coping. It gives me permission to be a big baby, at least some of the time, Lol ;) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl