With one crisis happening after the other, I have no words for 2020.
Seriously. From the very start, we’ve gone from one tragedy to the next. Locally, we had the Taal Volcano explosion in January. Globally, we saw news of the bushfires and the threat of World War between Iran and the US.
Now, we are facing an enemy that makes all previous threats seem like a joke.
The COVID-19 pandemic is scary. We have never seen anything like this before.
It does not only threaten our health. It’s also shaking our financial security.
To avoid getting sick, people are being forced to stay at home. The Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), although it’s proving to be effective in flattening the curve of this pandemic, it’s also destructive economically.
It caused a lot of businesses to close shop. That means zero profit. It also means no income for the workers. This is a difficult balancing act for the government and business owners.
The longer it takes to win against this pandemic, the worse it gets. And it is causing people to feel fear and uncertainty for their financial future.
I have friends who message me saying they can’t sleep at night. Their anxiety levels are off the roof. It’s becoming difficult to see beyond this pandemic.
And with the unavoidable recession upon us, it’s easy to lose hope.
But I refuse to let this defeat us. We need to will ourselves to survive this.
What can we do?
Here are some tips that I hope can help you guys feel sane throughout all that’s happening around us.
Practice vigilance
Sometimes, we feel stressed because things are beyond our control. And the truth is, we can’t control everything. But do you know what we can do? We can keep ourselves informed.
Just like what Moody said: Constant Vigilance!
Always keep yourself informed. Listen and read the news. But make sure what you are getting are facts and not fake news.
Of course, it is also important to filter what you hear and read in the news. Too much bad news can add to your stress. Filter the negativity and focus on the good news.
If you know more about your situation, it will be easier for you to make informed decisions to protect yourself and your family.
Make plans
Based on the information you’ll get, start making plans. If you already have a backup plan, that’s great. But you also need to have a Plan B. If it makes you feel better, make a Plan C and Plan D as well.
Think about the things that can go wrong.
What if you lose your job? Go search for alternative sources of income. Even if your employer is not saying anything to cause you to fear for your job security, set up that Plan B now.
For instance, my husband lost one client. With the free time that he now has, he started looking for other sources of income. He started learning new things. That way, if he can’t replace the client he lost, he has the knowledge to start something new (e.g. online stores, social media management, etc.). Remote work in the Philippines still proves to be a big financial opportunity for a lot of people.
My cousin is stuck at home and couldn’t go to work. So he started polishing his cooking skills. And I encouraged him to start a vlog. Eventually, he can earn off the advertisements for his videos.
Use this as an excuse to step out of your comfort zone. Learn something new. Become a better version of yourself.
Have faith in the middle of a crisis
My faith has taken me a long way in life. It has brought me immeasurable blessings over the years. In the end, this is what my husband and I hold on to. We teach our kids to always hold on to their faith. Because for sure, this will not be the last bad thing that will happen to us. But we have to believe that God is in control.
My life verse is Romans 8:28. “All things work for good for those who love the Lord.”
And I strongly hold on to that promise. I am still holding on to it right now.
It’s easy to succumb and be negative at times. But at the end of the day, when we bow down our heads to pray, my eldest son always end our prayer with thanks.
Because our faith gives us hope. It makes us look at the positive. We know in our hearts that this will pass.
It’s scary. That’s true. But guess what God wants you to know today?
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10.
Keep the faith and pray for wisdom. He will see us through.
I wish you blessings during these difficult times. Stay safe and hope to see you outside soon.
Virtual hugs!
😊