The last thing we thought 2020 would entail was social distancing, quarantines, a coronavirus pandemic, no toilet paper, and especially so much fear. At least, I didn't see that coming! I think it is important to stay up to date with information and to take all the proper precautions, but also not to let fear overcome us and be all consumed with negativity. The CDC provides helpful recommendations on how to protect yourself and others from spreading or getting exposed to the virus. Remember when consuming information to verify the source, the general rule of thumb can be to trust .gov sites. The best way to combat false information from spreading and allowing media to inflict fear is by doing your own research and staying educated. It is easy to let the circumstances around us to stress us out and cause panic, but the best remedy to fear is love.
Maybe now is the time to focus on how we can help others and make a difference to those around us. Instead of buying things excessively and emptying grocery stores out of panic. Sometimes when we switch our focus towards what we can do to help find a solution rather than looking at others to fix problems, we can end up feeling more reassurance and purpose in times of uncertainty.
So I want to challenge you (and myself) to spread love and hope and joy to the rest of the world, especially at times like this. Here are some ways to do that, while also staying healthy and safe!
1. Notes
Write encouraging notes for strangers and leave them out in random places. I wrote some tiny letters and left them in my apartments community laundry room and mail center. Another way this can be attainable is by just simply sending an encouraging text or phone call to your friends and family. Let them know you're thinking of them and appreciate them! This is a great way to spread love while also practicing social distancing.
2. Kindness chain
Since many restaurants are drive thru or delivery only it limits our exposure to show kindness to individuals. However, if you're in a drive thru and are able to, pay for the person/ car behind you! Many times this act of paying it forward creates a chain reaction. This is bound to not only affect one person's day, but encourage kindness that will touch many lives.
3. Donate
If you know of places that are in need of donations for certain supplies that families or individuals cannot afford during this time, think about donating anything extra of what you have. Feel free to make a social media post asking what people's greatest needs are during this time and how you can help to fulfill it! I saw this on my timeline numerous times and I was so in awe and inspired by people's boldness and kindness.
I am going to be holding myself accountable to keep spreading love and to get creative with how I can do that! Let me know what you do to help deal with your fears with all that is going on. I wanna hear if you tried any of these and what stories can out of it! Send me your other creative ways to spread the love when so many desperately need it to combat fear!
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