Interruption or Intervention
Written by Christie Dondero Bettwy, Rock Recovery Executive Director
Mental health tips to help you manage fears and practice flexibility in times of uncertainty.
Last year some of my friends and I did the Christine Caine study, Unexpected. I happened upon my study notes this morning, and they speak perfectly to this unique season we now find ourselves in due to the COVID-19 precautions we are taking to care for our community.
The first note I hastily scribbled in my journal said, “Interruptions are inconvenient because they happen on our way to something else. Do we have room for God (or life) to interrupt our plans?”
As I think about that question and how I live my daily life, my answer is a whole-hearted no. I love lists, and I LOVE a plan. One of the ways my previously unscheduled free-spirited husband shows me he loves me is by sitting down with me to plan our calendars every Sunday evening (for me, it’s WAY better than flowers).
Like many of you, I am experiencing some anxiety about “normal life” being interrupted and the uncertainty of the weeks that lie ahead. (I am also feeling some VERY real trepidation about being confined in our tiny 500 square foot apartment with basically no walls.)
What if this interruption of our plans is more of an intervention for our souls?
My therapist often reminds me I need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry and give myself margin for life. Yet, if I’m honest, I don’t do it. I am much more comfortable planning/packing my schedule, and for the last three days I’ve been frantically researching affordable Airbnbs with more than 500 square feet within driving distance in an attempt to feel in control and sane.
Here are three ways I am trying to re-frame the situation and ease my anxieties:
Practice flexibility and seek support – Those plans you were looking forward to for months? Your usual daily routine? Most likely, these have all been disrupted. Take a deep breath, and think of how your days may look with this new (temporary!) normal. If you crave structure, create a new (adaptable!) daily routine. If you struggle eating your three meals/snacks each day, get some accountability lined up and someone you can call. Move your therapy appointments online. Practice breathing and going for mindful walks. Reach out to your support network. Recovery is learning to live in the grey and take life as it comes, this is a great opportunity to practice!
Be intentional and practice self care – Be careful not to get stuck in mindless scrolling or frantically reading news articles. Instead of focusing on feeling overwhelmed or trapped, think of the things you have been putting off and make a list of 10 things you want to do with this new time at home. Organizing your closet? Reading that book? Playing that game as a family? Calling that friend? We have suddenly been given a gift of margin in our hectic lives, let’s not squander it.
Spend time in reflection and practice gratitude – We all get busy and scurry from one thing to the next, never taking time to reflect on how our lives match our values. One beautiful thing about my eating disorder recovery was it gave me the opportunity to ruthlessly eliminate false beliefs that were lurking under the surface in my life and build a solid foundation in line with my values and beliefs. If we don’t take time and space to prayerfully reflect, we will keep living out of the same false beliefs. Use this time to journal and pray/meditate on things you are grateful for, and consider what you uniquely value.
One the encouraging challenges Christine offers in her Unexpected study is to replace what we don’t know about the future with what we do know about God.
I am encouraged to remember that God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28), God is with us (Isaiah 41:10), and we need not be afraid (Psalm 27:1).
Instead of letting this time spiral out of fear, let’s instead let it propel us forward into freedom and the full lives we are called to live.
Yours in hope,
Christie