It’s Not Me, It’s You: Breaking Up With COVID  

It’s Not Me, It’s You: Breaking Up With COVID  

by Samantha Brooks & Michelle Barichello

The past two years have been a time of change, challenges, and transformation. As we’ve entered 2022, many had hoped we were in a “post-pandemic” era, but we are very much still in the midst of this global pandemic.

It’s been a time of collective trauma throughout the world, and although collective experiences of difficulty can serve to unite us, the nature of this virus has led many to feel increased isolation. Reintegrating into the “old world” can cause difficulty in navigating personal comfort levels and the values and opinions expressed by different people. 

As therapists, we’ve been managing our own uncertain times alongside our clients’. We understand the anxieties and frustrations from life being halted or plans being changed.

Same pandemic, different generations

For people in their 20s and 30s, we’ve found that there is additional strain placed upon every aspect of life, work, love, and personal enjoyment. The life stage of Emerging Adulthood is often a time of delving into ones’ interests and passions, exploring who you are and what you want out of life, and connecting with others. COVID has placed a wrench in this for many people and it’s very difficult to reconcile with the uncertainty of how long this will last or what life might be like in the coming years.

Many people are rightfully fatigued and tired of this pandemic and may want to break up with COVID—finally.  

 

Breaking up with COVID, a support group

As the world has begun to open up in recent months, one common struggle is how to transition back into public spaces and previous roles or settings. While we may think our stay-at-home, in-person time could lead to greater connection with family and our closest friends, it has left a lot of people feeling greater isolation and confusion. It is a challenge reconciling what we’re comfortable with and the frustration or lack of safety that can come in witnessing others who don’t feel the same. 

Breaking Up With COVID, a support group

We, as therapists, know the healing power that comes from connection and sharing ones’ feelings and experiences with others who are feeling similarly. This is why we’ve created the Breaking Up With COVID: Reclaiming Life in a Time of Continuous Change Support Group.

Our hope with this group is to provide a space for connection with others who want to explore their emotional reactions, stressors, and other challenges related to navigating life during the coronavirus pandemic. Group members will give and receive support from one another and will explore how to identify and honor what’s comfortable to others. Moreover, reintegrating into the world—and our own worlds—will be a central topic.

Learn more and register here.