While playing this game of life the quarantine and social distancing has been a serious glitch. My depression began to take over and I couldn’t stop it; I was certainly not leveling up. There were many times it felt like it should just be game over for 2020. However, the “do you want to continue,” choice was, and is, a definite “yes.”
I don’t need to wait till 2021 to Level Up; I have already begun the process. I faced a decision to take a year sabbatical from teaching or continuing on. This decision was based on how best to help protect myself from being at more risk as a Type 1 Diabetic amidst the pandemic. Taking the year off would have been the worst choice I could have made; the depression would have gained too much power over me. I leveled up by getting myself back into living life as safely as possible, using masks and distancing as much as I am able to.
I have learned that I am driven by having some sort of purpose, as I imagine most people are, given that we tend to thrive when we know we are needed and appreciated. As humans we are resilient, we can adapt, and we have the tools to survive and make it to the next level. I did this for myself by getting back into a routine and getting back to work. I was leveling up by continuing to move forward, even though I have much anxiety over catching the virus. Everyday that I can keep this momentum up is a small win towards battling my depression.
Keeping a positive outlook while leveling up is a challenge in itself. There is more to it than just showing up everyday, even though that is an important aspect. Something that I cannot lose sight of is making sure to take care of “me” throughout this timeframe. I can and will be working on leveling up with more SELF-ish Sundays and beyond. I have to be intentional about getting exercise and not just landing on the couch after work. I have to keep my weekends open for life outside of school and teaching, leaving the grading for when I can fit it in during the week. I need to lean on my friends when I need support and help, just as I put myself out there as support for them.
As the world keeps spinning, our game keeps playing. Getting to a point of leveling up takes work, but work well worth doing so that we push ourselves to feel better about who we are and what we do. It is not easy by any means, but it’s a challenge worth facing. For the past two months I have been working hard to reach a point of leveling up and feeling good. The positive change is noticeable, but there is plenty of work left to do.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Create Change or its affiliates.
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Another thoughtful and thought provoking article. As someone who is immunespressed, this pandemic has played havoc on my mental health for many of the reasons you outline. I’m fortunate though in a way, as I don’t work, and as I’m disabled I’d already gone through the grieving of slowly losing aspects of my life – and reorganising what I do to function. Even so, this year has been a hard adjustment for many of us facing the additional challenge of being vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
I’m so glad you’ve found a path through the challenge. Keep levelling up.
I appreciate your comment and connection. This truly was the first time in my life I felt like my diabetes was going to keep me from doing something. This disease hasn’t presented itself as a roadblock to anything in my life, I am determined to keep it that way as long as possible. It seems as if you have found some peace in your reorganization, this is not a simple task. Thanks for reading and commenting! Take care.
“As the world keeps spinning, our game keeps playing.” That line took my breath away. Your story here is absolutely inspiring, and cloaked in such wisdom. Thank you for sharing.
It takes someone pointing out your words to you, to be able to see the impact. Words really do have power. Thank you for the positive feedback! I always worry that what I am able to provide doesn’t exist on the same level as the other contributors. What they say about gaining wisdom as you get older seems to be true… it is so much easier now to be self aware than it was a decade ago. Thank you for your response. Take care.
My therapist shared a quote with me that I think applies here perfectly. “When you share your stories from scars, and not open wounds, you see the wisdom that was creeping in the whole time.”
Your therapist sounds like a great resource for you! Mine shared a similar message with me as I am working on sharing more of “me” with my close friends… I need the wounds to heal a little more before sharing the vulnerability of pieces of my past.
This is such an important message and very well stated as well. I admire your perseverance and how self-reflective you are. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you. I just wanted to share a message to keep going. I remember watching my brother play video games when we were younger… he would lose a level or life, whatever the game set up was, and get angry and sometimes toss the remote in frustration. But, he didn’t quit. He cooled off, picked up the remote and kept trying. There are a lot of parallels to life with this. These were the memories in my mind as I was writing. Thanks for your comment. Take care.
“As humans we are resilient, we can adapt, and we have the tools to survive and make it to the next level.”
SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!!
Great article Elizabeth. Keep moving forward, keep yourself feeling good.
Take care.
Your response here brought a big grin to my face, thank you! I think too often we get stuck and forget that yes, we can do this. It is because of this platform and all the community that I was reminded of this. Thanks for your message. Take care.
Great artical Elizabeth!
your journey sure is inspiring . self care is a huge part of leveling up and I’m really happy that you are doing it .
we all have bad days (especially in COVID days) and it’s really ok to not be ok all the time , but as long as you continue ,you will rise 🙂
Thank you for sharing ,hoping to hear more of your inspiring journey ❤
I really appreciate your perspective here. I have in a way always struggled with the self care aspect of things… spending much of my time worrying about and doing for others. I still am present for others, but beginning to see the importance of taking care of me as well. I have not succeeded with all the things I mentioned in this essay, but I am working on it. You make a great point how it is okay to not be okay sometimes… that in itself is not defeat. Thank you. Take care.
An amazing article that I loved to read. You have a point of view that we don’t see enough I think, healing through work and keeping yourself busy.
I admire you for having the strengh for doing it. You are the sentence “A step, no matter the direction, is still better than staying in the same place”. So congratulation to you and I hope that you keep getting better and keep levelling up. Maybe even going against the big boss.
Thank you for your response. I do think a lot of our progress is in our own hands. It is just a matter of having a good support system as well. Getting to the point of deciding what to do entailed a tearful conversation with my best friend and fellow teacher, as well as having a meeting with my building principal and district superintendent about my concerns. The level of support I received from all parties was just what I needed to be comfortable with my choice. Take care.
I completely understand the need to stay busy in spite of the pandemic. I too have an overthinking mind, which is never kind to my depression. You’re right we just have to keep adapting to our world. Thank you for sharing your story.
You affirm just what happens with me… lack of structure is a pathway for my depression to surge. Thanks for your response!