With all that’s happening in the world right now, it's easy to get caught up in an energetic swirl. In this post, I share a process I used this weekend to get my feet back under me. If it helps you, you are welcome to share this process with your clients.
Making Sense of Your Personal Swirl
Over the weekend I felt like I was swirling. I couldn’t settle. I couldn’t sleep.
Too many loose threads from my work week combined with sparks of new ideas that are coming forth.
Too many things unfolding in the world. Too much uncertainty about how we are going to find our way through.
As I sat with my journal, I realized I’m very likely not the only one experiencing the swirl!
It’s likely you are. It’s likely your clients are. It’s likely members of your family are as well.
As Change Catalysts, it’s helpful to be mindful of the changes that are alive in the world. We can hold space for our clients to share their personal version of the swirl.
In naming what’s on their mind, they can find their center, have space to witness what’s true for them. They can choose the relationship they want to have with all that is moving in the world.
Naming the Changes
As I wrote what was impacting me, I could feel myself making sense of why I felt the way I did. For the most part I can’t change any of these unfolding events, but I can choose how I interact with them and hold them.
I came up with the following list. Your list might include other topics, your clients’ lists may also include a different collection of topics. This is perfectly normal. We each have our own experience that influences our perspective.
What’s Happening Out There in the World
Watching the news these days is an intense roller coaster. It’s so easy to spin out emotionally with the rate of change and the ever increasing degree of uncertainty. In addition to news of the pandemic (see below), there’s news of conflicts internationally, nationally, and locally based on political differences, social injustices (see below), environmental destruction (see below), and more.
Regardless of how your beliefs and views track with current events, it’s likely your clients are also having their own experience within this theme. If any of your clients are swirling about what’s unfolding in the news, do your best to offer a safe space for them. Allow them to share from their own point of view and honor their personal experiences.
Be aware that the roots of their emotions may not be about current events, but may hearken back to similar events from their past. Anniversary reactions often trigger unsettled emotions from original events that then help unwind some of the distress that it is happening right now.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Although this source of uncertainty came on the scene since March 2020, it has touched every part of our lives.
For those who have direct experiences with the illness -- whether as patients, family members, medical personnel, first responders, or essential workers -- the impacts may be intense, constant, and ongoing. The ramifications of the illness itself and the toll it takes to be vigilant all day, every day create unbelievably stressful circumstances for weeks on end.
For those who have lost loved ones, the way the death happened and possibly their inability to be with their loved one at the time of their death brings such a feeling of helplessness that it is its own kind of trauma. Grieving these losses will take time and cannot be rushed nor ignored.
For those who are experiencing ongoing symptoms or have loved ones who are, it’s unsettling because there’s know way to know what will unfold as the years pass.
Those who are witnessing these losses around the country are also grieving and triggered by what they are experiencing vicariously.
The effort to avoid the virus and make decisions about how to keep living at each phase of this pandemic is also taking a toll.
Changes in the Social Fabric of Our Lives
The pandemic has brought with it shifts in how we interact with our communities and those we love. Due to the logistics of our times, our traditions, celebrations, and social entertainment have changed significantly since March 2020.
We’ve had to reweave our connections using different modalities that feel strange. This shift requires us to be more conscious about how we are going to keep in touch with those we love, since spontaneous connection is less likely. Many are socializing and traveling less than ever before.
Long standing relationships are shifting and ending as a result of the split views of reality. When friends, family, and colleagues rely on different sources for updates about the pandemic, political events, social impacts, and the state of the environment, conflicts arise. It’s difficult to discuss the issues of the day because there’s so little common ground.
When the deep uncertainties of our times enter our relationships, it’s very unsettling and frustrating. It’s hard to know how to proceed. It’s difficult to imagine how we create a new shared experience from where we are right now.
Fires in the West / Hurricanes in the East
I lived my entire life on the West Coast, except the four years I was at Purdue University for grad school. I have a deep connection with the natural spaces in California and now in Oregon. I have many dear friends, precious places, and special memories in some of the areas that are burning. It’s surreal to hear about all that’s taking place and unsettling to realize how helpless I feel.
My heart has also been fully away of the hurricanes that are making their way onshore this year, stronger than ever, impacting a larger swath of land than usual.
If you and your clients are from different regions, other natural events may also be stirring up the energy. For example, your clients might bring up: recent hurricanes in the Gulf and on the East Coast, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, etc.
For some these extreme weather events may also bring up climate grief. You and your clients may be worried about escalating conditions that are impacting the ecosystems we love.
If there’s a recurring theme of devastation in the area, the current events may be triggering past traumas and anniversary reactions. The body is processing all that it couldn’t handle when the original event took place.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
My work around transitions has led me to track various movements and causes over the years. So many scenarios are alive in our world right now.
Given that we are individuals in this sea of humanity, it is likely we will see the need for enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion playing out for different groups.
This is based on a wide range of characteristics: “age, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance.” (This list is from an article called Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter by Independent Sector).
In all likelihood, the combinations that are most salient and meaningful to each of us tie back to our personal experiences. The experiences of those we love and care for, and the causes we hold dear may also impact us.
The unique histories and stories of each person (ourselves included) and each group are so important to witness and honor. Within your work you may discover that a client has been oppressed, traumatized, or impacted in ways you haven’t seen or faced before.
Listening and holding space for these discoveries is important. If you don't feel well suited to support your client in healing through this discovery, consider supporting them in finding someone who is a better fit.
Deepening Actions
What themes are contributing to your inner swirl right now?
Feel free to incorporate this question or prompt into your work with your clients this week. What’s contributing to the swirl your clients are feeling?