Quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has caused many individuals to be stuck far away from their families, not knowing when they will be able to see them again. Reasons for this vary from travel restrictions to not wanting to expose elderly or sick parents to potential COVID-19. This separation from parents for months on end with no distinct end date has proved to be extremely difficult for many young adults around the country and the world. While this time can be hard and lonely, there are ways to cope to keep the connection and to distract yourself on the days you cannot talk to your parents. Here are some tips on coping with separation from your parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schedules during COVID-19 are almost always uncertain. You may be unsure when you can travel again when things will go back to normal when you can return to work and a list of other things. This can be quite anxiety-inducing, but the key is to remember what you do have control of. There is no point in feeling anxious about things you cannot control because you cannot change them. Focus on the decisions you are making, such as not traveling to keep your parents safe. Remind yourself that each choice you make is for the greater good and health of those you love. This will keep you in a more positive mindset. However, you can also remember that these are tough times, but you are doing your best. Sometimes this is all you can tell yourself to get through and that is okay.
When you have been in quarantine for months and are seeing endless new reports of COVID-19 numbers climbing, it can be difficult to remember that this situation is temporary. There have been pandemics in the past century and humans always come out resilient and stronger. There will come a day when you can hold your loved ones again and be able to see them normally. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the steps you are taking now will be worth the reward that is to come.
Whether you are in a neighboring town, across the country, or outside of the United States during the 2020 pandemic, there are ways to stay in contact with your parents back home. You can use various apps such as Zoom, Whatsapp, Facetime, and more to call your parents and make the distance seem a little less intense. Whether you opt for audio or video calls, hearing your parents’ voices and seeing their smiling faces can make the time go by faster and help with missing them. You can also ask for advice, tell stories about what is happening where you are, and express how much you miss them. If you need a little more contact that week, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Your parents most likely miss you just as much as you miss them and want to talk with you as much as they can.
It is completely understandable to feel lost, lonely, sad, angry, and in grief during this pandemic. Remembering that others most likely feel these same emotions is incredibly important, and sharing can be healing. Your parents are most likely as upset about this situation as you are, missing you each and every day that passes. When you talk to your parents, don’t be afraid to open up and communicate your feelings to them. Your sadness needs a place to go and opening up can relieve you of the heaviness these feelings have on you. Your parents most likely feel the same way and being able to empathize with each other will bring you closer together despite the distance.
When you can’t be together now, it can be soothing to look at photos with your parents at a time that you were together. Looking at these photos will help remind you of a time when life was more normal and you could be together, therefore also serving as a reminder that you will be able to be together again in the future. Being grateful for these moments is soothing and can help relax you from the anxiety you are feeling. You can even consider printing some of the photos and having them around your home. This way you can have a little piece of your parents with you as you wait to see them in person again.
These months of quarantine since the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm have been difficult for individuals all over the world. You may find yourself missing family back home, specifically your parents. Whether you can’t see them due to travel restrictions or because you don’t want to risk exposing them to the virus, keep in mind that there are millions of people that feel the same way you do. Your grief, anger, sadness, loneliness, and more are felt by everyone, including your parents. Staying in contact with them in any way you can helps this time move faster and keep you connected through these uncertain times. At Northstar Transitions, we understand the struggles you are going through. If you need help, reach out and we would be happy to help you cope with these emotions and more. Call us today at (303) 558-6400.
