Feeling Low? You’re not alone … (But it is a Laughing Matter)

If you, like me, have woken up this morning feeling low – know two things:

1.      it’s normal

2.      feeling low is the first step to not feeling low

Yesterday, in my home state, Victoria and hometown, Melbourne, an announcement was made that the current lockdown will go on for another two weeks and then only with gradual easing.

(If you'd like to know more about moving forward with resilience, download a free copy of my Resilience Compass (c) - link in the comments below)

When I woke up with that this morning, I felt pretty low - I had been hoping for a greater easing of restrictions.

Wherever you are in your part of the world it might be some other reason - there are plenty of them. The pandemic, lockdowns, economic catastrophe, emptied super funds, and the endless grind of one day very much like another.

I'm not going say "it's OK”. It doesn’t feel okay. Resilience isn't about always feeling ok. It is about recovering.

I’m not I'm not going to say to you "oh well, it's what has to be done," or "it's for the best,", or "health first.' All that may be true. It just won't help you deal with the feeling.

This will: "It's normal. What you're feeling is normal".

It's normal under the circumstances to feel down, disappointed, flat, anxious, sad , fearful, and worried (and anything else you are feeling).

The first step when I teach resilience is to accept you circumstances and feelings. Suppression does not work. Acceptance does (then you have to move through it).

For me, I've got a bit of fury as well "how the heck do we find ourselves in this position?", "It's not fair", "Why do we all have to suffer when a few people do the wrong thing ..." etc.

If you’re feeling whatever you’re feeling – congratulations. It will soon start to shift. If you’re not, what can you do to get in touch?

Then you need to take some action and, hopefully, find some lightness. I have some clients running laughter sessions with me this week – laughter is a great therapy, and the shock absorber for life. A laughter session is a wonderful mood lifter. Laughter builds resilience.

What are you doing for your team to help them move forward? Drop an answer in the comments below please.

If you'd like to know more about moving forward with resilience, download a free copy of my Resilience Compass (c) - link in the comments below.

@James Ritchie @Leigh Farrell @Jonathon Milton @Stuart Taylor @Dr Elise Bialylew @Has Razwi @Lynne Cazaly @Tracey Ezard @Ingrid Ozols @Michael Carney @Mike Morrison @Leonie Lockwood