Quarantine Rehab Series: An open letter to those who just can't Be Positive

Initially, this article was supposed to be about finding ways to lift yourself up during the quarantine. It was supposed to be a step-by-step plan made for those who were experiencing mental health difficulties during such a trying time, and it was supposed to be positive and pro-active and encouraging. It was supposed to be something that you could do.

Then... I realised I couldn't write something like that.

When COVID-19 was announced to be a pandemic, business and public places started shutting down at directives of governments, leaving most people with more than enough free time on their hands.

In the early stages, when we all weren't sure how long this social distancing thing would last, people have decided to cope with Tiktok dances and Dalgona coffee (remember that?), but now that we're in the thick of the pandemic, the coping mechanisms have evolved. People have started (surprisingly) baking bread, and undertake what is famously known as Chloe Ting's 2-week shred, among others.

While majority of us, while quarantined at home, dream of coming out of the quarantine with at least one visible ab muscle and knowing how to make bread from scratch, some of us can't even manage to get out of bed.

But you should, right? You have no reason to be depressed. You should feel grateful that things are changing. Count yourself lucky you still have a job/a place to live/food to eat/internet that works! Especially when people have been furloughed left and right, people who work in "non-essential" industries have practically no income to speak of! You should be grateful you have a job! You should feel grateful you have money to pay bills!

But you DON'T.

So do some yoga! There are free practices online. Just get a workout mat, light a scented candle, calm down and just do a downward dog! You have lots of time. No need to go to a studio or anything!

But you CAN'T.

And the thing is, you feel worse about being in quarantine when you're lucky enough to have all these things, unlike the vast majority of the population who have difficulties even trying to keep at least a relatively safe distance in small, shared living spaces. Now you feel guilty. And that sucks, right?

Right.

But that's OKAY.

(Really? It is?)

Really. And I'm going to give groundbreaking advice: Let yourself feel. 

Things do suck. Everyone knows that. But remember that you're human, and humans experience emotions. It's okay to feel lonely, it's okay to feel sad, it's okay to feel anxious.

When everyone just wants you to bury the bad feelings and "be positive," it's okay to tell them to suck a dick. You're allowed to have negative feelings, the same way you're allowed to have positive feelings. Accept them.

And once you've accepted them, let the feeling leave.

Feelings always come and go, like waves on the beach. They unfold upon the sand in all ways and sizes, small, big, strong, soft—but they always go back to where they came from. Accept that you felt them, then let them go. You don't have to feel guilty for things that are out of your control.

So if you're feeling some type of way, let yourself feel it. It's okay to acknowledge bad things are happening! But what's important is you don't let them take control of your life, and work on moving forward.

Here at TBC, it's important to us that we provide content that doesn't dictate how you're supposed to feel or behave or think. Positivity isn't always a good thing, but understanding yourself is. Knowing yourself and what you want to be better at is what matters.

So feel free to be sad, or lonely, or angry. You'll make it. :)

And if you need the extra push, we'll be releasing content on how to rehabilitate yourself from the slump you've been experiencing during quarantine, which we'll be calling the Quarantine Rehab Series. The next few days will be filled with ideas and suggestions how to practically work on yourself and your life as you recover from this quarantine.

Until next time!