When the World Feels Like a Danger Zone

In this unprecedented and scary time, it feels like the world has hit a great big pause button in our lives.

I am sitting in Maui, after having been here over the past few weeks, watching the events unfold as Coronavirus moved into and across America. Maui has felt a bit like a bubble, being here for work, and now going home tomorrow. I have debated, should I stay and avoid unnecessary travel? What is necessary travel? Getting home to my family and my work, not dipping further into savings to ride this out in Maui…these all seem necessary right now. I am looking for some grounding time once home. The familiar routines of going to the office on Tuesday and Wednesday, working out three times a week, connecting with friends and running my errands will not be available to me. Instead, I will be home, creating new rituals during this time.

My last blog, Busting Out of Comfort Zones in the Modern World, addressed comfort zones. And, I am a big advocate for women in their 40 and beyond years to operate outside of their comfort zones and make changes in their lives. In that blog, I also addressed Danger Zones. It is that place way outside of comfort and beyond the optimal performance zone. If comfort is green and optimal performance is yellow, than this zone is red.

What has been happening with the Coronavirus is a red zone. Our usual comforts are gone. Our movements and freedoms suspended. We are met with daily statistics and speculations about the worse. And, many of us have had friends, loved ones and even strangers suddenly commenting about our actions, shaming us and questioning why we are doing certain things when the world is supposed to be on lock down. It has become our civic duty to obey. This feels like a red zone to me.

And there is no deadline. No timeline to know when we can go back to normal. Or even if the old normal will ever be possible again. Then, what will the new normal be?

Uncertainty is uncomfortable, it can be the red zone.

What happens when we are in the red zone for extended periods of time is that it can lead to:

  • Exhaustion

  • A sense of survival mode

  • Burn out

  • Detachment and disconnect

  • Reverting back to old habits that help numb the discomfort

What are you doing to stay sane and to maybe even thrive during such crazy times?

Are you reaching out for support? Can you connect with someone a friend or a professional to help sort out what is happening in your world?

Are you pivoting? Changing the direction and seeing this as a time to shift your focus. I have pivoted so much, moving my practice to Telehealth for psychotherapy and embracing the benefits of that modality, rethinking how I am spending my time and making some tough decisions on what I want to be doing are just a few pivots I am making.

Are you moving into action on the things that are within your control these days? In my 6 week course, the first module is all about the four quadrants of control and when we can focus on the things within our control and release the things that are not, we have found a happy place in our life.

Now can be a time of deep reflection and work on self. In our isolation there can be discovery. Noticing patterns in our lives, reflecting on what was making our lives so busy or feel out of control now that we have the pause. Coming out of this pause, what do you desire to be different?

Anticipation is overlooked. We have become used to immediate gratification as a way of life. What about looking forward to or waiting for something. This time, more than ever, can be that for you. Anticipation is all about excitement, the building of energy, preparing for…Using this time to build that and create that bigger vision for your life, can be a good use of time right now.

  • Changing a career in the future

  • Working on relationship goals and how you want to show up in relationship

  • Refocusing on relationships

  • Tapping into creative force

  • Making a list of places to travel when you once again can do so

  • Healing your story with money

  • Changing your patterns

These can all be anticipated and prepared for as we are immersed in the big pause in life. Know that I am here for you and we will get through this. Let’s hop on a call, I have opened my calendar to be of greater service to you during this time. Hop on a 30 minute phone consultation and get the support you need and deserve.

Christie Bemis, Comfort Zone Busting Advocate

You deserve a deeper dive in life. Join me for 6 months and really Ignite Your Life with Mastery

Christie is a psychotherapist in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.  She is a mama, a wife, a writer, and an artist.  Visit www.hotpinkyou.com for more information.  Email at hotpinkyou@gmail.com

She is also a writer, co-authoring Ignite Your Life and a speaker. You can find her 6 week course, Ignite Your Life: a self-guided program, to reignite your self-love. Co-Founder and CEO of Hot Pink YOUniversity

Christie Gause-Bemis