COVID-19, Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Social Media

I know that I already posted about coronavirus and spiritual group ritual tips the other day, but since COVID-19 is everywhere and it’s having a massive ripple effect on our communities in general both online and off, it’s only fair that I start covering a more important topic.

Nothing happening is normal, all of it is unprecedented, go watch some cartoons or something

Yes, I might sound a little cavalier here, but the reality is that things are moving quickly in a not-so-good direction that we don’t have much, if any, experience in. Businesses are shutting down, people are working from home if able, and a lot is happening. And it’s all happening very, very fast. The economy is failing, the news is terrible every day and getting worse, and there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel in sight.

But if we spend every day freaking out, it won’t help us. It will lead to poor decisions, poor mental and physical health, and it won’t change anything.

So find some bright spots in this, hold on to them tight, and take this one day at a time. I recommend Disney+ or something.

Find a deity who will listen and feel free to rant to them, it can’t hurt

Now is a good time to remember why you became a pagan/polytheist to begin with. It’s certainly nice when things are going well, right? Well…it’s also for us when things aren’t. And they aren’t going well for an awful lot of people right now.

Feel free to reach out to your own gods, spirits, and what-have-you, and keep it real. If you can’t do that, why else would you be here?

Spirituality is built mainly for this purpose. Our human lives are fraught with chaos and uncertainty. Find your grounding, find your center, and do your best to maintain it no matter what.

Wanna hex the crap out of COVID-19? You can do that too if you want. It couldn’t hurt.

Do your best, and forget the rest

Seriously, no one’s going around right now singing happy tunes about how everything’s going to be super fantastic. And sure, if that makes you feel better, go forth and conquer. Just don’t go off into toxic positivity la-la land, as it benefits no one.

And even if you’re trying to do that, you’re not going to be able to keep that up. Times are overwhelming, stressful, and a reminder of how much of our day to day stability we take for granted.

Just find something that is of benefit to you, allows you to both take your mind off of things for a bit AND adult at the same time. And take things one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time.

Yes, I said “adult” as in “adulting”. That’s rather essential right now.

Now is a good time to consider doing lengthy spiritual rites that rely on isolation

Thinking about doing the Abramelin? I’ve done it. Now’s a good time to get going.

Either way, think of this as an opportunity to do more introverted, spiritual practices. Start a meditation routine. Get going on those pagan or witchy books you’ve been meaning to finish.

When life hurls lemons at you, ferment them and make your own Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

Stick with your community, and keep in touch with people whom you care about

This is a rough time for EVERYONE. Check in as often as possible. Be there for people whom you care about.

If there’s anything that all of this is demonstrating, it’s that rugged individualism is not an adequate source of healthcare nor is it realistic in any society. And we all live in a society where we are interdependent. We are utterly, utterly reliant upon other people for our very survival whether we like it or not.

Also, real talk: you will definitely know someone who will come down with COVID-19 if you don’t already. You may even know people who will die because of it.

Reach out now. Please.

Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting other people

If people aren’t reaching out to you and you need support, please own that. Be honest. TELL people you’re having a hard time. Be open about it. It’s not going to kill you and it might help other people out there to own up the same.

Take care of your own needs first and do not forget that you need enough for you.

This is a lot for everyone. Self care is essential. Balance time for both you and others.

Torn between being informed and being sane? Choose balance and know when to quit

If you’re on social media and all you’re doing is freaking out over everything that’s happening due to COVID-19, take a step back and find something else on there to make you breathe again.

Is that memes? Cat videos? Video games? Online chat about paganism, polytheism, etc? Just do that thing!

But whatever you do, don’t turn your entire time online into stressing out about everything. It won’t help. You won’t be further prepared to deal with this. You’ll just be a stressed out wreck at the end of the day, pouring a glass of wine or something to calm your nerves. I may or may not know something about this. We’re all human, after all.

If you have a day or two like that, fine. Let it happen if it needs to happen. But don’t make every day into that sort of thing, please. Find healthy ways to deal with this that keeps you healthy in all respects.

COVID-19 will still be here tomorrow no matter how much you’re freaking out

Talk to those whom you love. Reach out.

We’re all in this together.

Now…wanna go play World of Warcraft or something? Group binge watch all of the episodes of DuckTales in an online session?

Suggestions on ways to relieve stress both offline and on? Ideas on where to better spend time online vs obsessing over the current news of the day? Sound off in the comments!

I’m also taking suggestions on things to binge on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, etc. Stuff that’s pagan/witch themed is great but not utterly necessary. I’m running out and I’m trapped in my place alone with just my cats. Help!