Level: Uncertainty

I recently traveled between Canada and the United States. I stood in line at both the airline and immigration with my passport, ticket, and vaccine card in hand. I had a sense of stepping through a time portal back to a place in history without lockdowns, travel restrictions, and uncertainty. Except none of that has come to pass.

Since the easing of pandemic restrictions in the United States and other countries this summer, there has been a marked increase in rage and violence adding to our already high level of uncertainty.

As I traveled, I was concerned someone might snap on one of my flights. Would it be over wearing a mask? Would someone be annoyed to be handed a disinfecting cloth for their seat? Would the once eye-rolling response from a child kicking the back of a seat turn into a screaming fit?

I’ve conducted some unscientific polling during my training classes to gauge if others have noticed more road rage, angry shoppers, surly diners in restaurants, and outbursts at work. Heads often nod in that knowing way.

This month’s newsletter explores the underlying irritability and anxiety leading to anger and how it bubbles over into the workplace.

November is the start of the traditional season of gratitude, fellowship, spirituality, and hope. It is my hope that the resources I’ve presented can help explain how you personally may feel and how to respond to people around you.

Because the world is still turning with uncertainty, we can’t expect to step back in time and resume our once normal lives. The pandemic has taken much from each of us. Our health, our loved ones, and for many, our financial security and jobs. We’ve missed important social events such as weddings, graduations, and milestone anniversaries and birthdays. Many of us can’t remember the last vacation we took. We wonder when we will feel safe to travel again.

Some experts explain we are experiencing PTSD. As a society, we’ve not taken the time to properly care for our mental health, to properly process everything that has happened on a personal or global level. We’re irritable and anxious and that blooms into anxiety, depression, rage, and anger.

The cure? I don’t have a cure. But it is recommended we practice some self-care. We must connect with others and share our experiences. And, we must ease into routines such as commuting, in-person meetings, and social events. Our social muscle memory is there, but it is weak. We’ve been injured and we need to take time to heal.

As always, I'm here if you have a question or want to say hello. Reach out anytime.