If we analyse the Covid 19 pandemic, we have to face the facts that nobody has been feeling 100% since lockdown began. A straw poll of my friends, family, colleagues and business associates has revealed that they have found themselves more irritable, more easily overwhelmed, and more prone to making mistakes than ever before.

When I asked them to describe their current emotional state, there was one word that cropped up more than any other: “meh.” As in, yes, the verbal equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders. 

So what in earth is going on? For those of you who have either studied Business Studies or Psychology there is a compelling five tier motivational theory, which may have all of the answers – I refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The great thing about answers is that by understanding what is going on, one can then take steps to try and address and or improve the situation you find yourself in.

From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: 

• physiological (food, water, warmth, rest)
• safety (health, resources, security)
• belonging (intimacy, friendship, community)
• esteem (respect, dignity, feeling seen)
• self-actualisation (realising your full potential)

2020 has been wreaking havoc on so many of our critical lower needs, even to the extent that there was mass panic buying which led to a toilet roll shortage – could you imagine?

Unemployment and economic damage threaten the physiological needs of millions. And even if you are so fortunate to have a place to live and food to eat, how can your need for safety be met in the middle of a global pandemic which is a direct threat to your health?

How can you feel secure in the face of political turmoil, and systemic injustice, and general uncertainty?

How can your need for belonging be met in isolation, in a time when we are separating ourselves, avoiding community, unable to safely connect?

If you have been struggling to feel whole and productive, or even just generally OK (let alone anything like self-actualisation), show yourself some compassion.

You are trying to build a pyramid on a shaky foundation. You are trying to be normal in a world that is anything but. Even if you can’t quite see it, you are doing splendidly. In acknowledgement of this, let’s all strive to be a little kinder not just to one another, but ourselves, too.

To this end, we suggest that you try to do something that brings you joy every single day. This doesn’t have to be a big thing – see the list below for some examples:

• A Joe Wicks 30 minute workout;
• Go for a walk or a bike ride for at least 30mins;
• Spend 5 minutes away from your desk;
• Turn your phone off for an hour;
• Take up Jnana Yoga;
• take a proper Tea Break;
• Read a book.

This isn’t exhaustive an exhaustive list, but you get the picture. Just make sure that, whatever you decide, you give yourself some “me time” each day.

We 100% deserve a break from our struggle to achieve normality in a world that is anything but.