Yes, these are times we have never seen before!
Every generation is in a state of bemusement, stupefaction, and uncertainty. According to psychologists, anxiety with an imminent threat is healthy and manageable, which goes to imply that if we are in a state of shock and concern, then the least of assurance that we can give to all around us is that we are normal. An often-used term during the era of COVID is the ‘new normals’, which really goes to say that the normal as we knew till now is shifting.
This perspective could help our children deal with the stagnant state of being that they are living through during these times. Its not just about hygiene standards being re calibrated, virtual online classes, or less of seeing each other, its impact is much more pronounced. Its about a systematic counselling of the younger generation to share a larger perspective of the way the world might emerge in coming times.
To begin with, one effective reiteration could be in the direction that life will have a way of coming around. It’s a matter of time that schools, colleges, academics are going to start functioning in a way that we have known for most parts. However, there might be some parts which would alter, but alter for the better. Its going to be more self-sustaining, futuristic and enabling. Aligning their minds towards impending change would help the children settle down to the new normal.
The teenagers of today are thankfully inclined towards connecting to the world on their fingertips. This of course has taken an enhanced form and shape that they would have probably not be prepared for. It could be a great distraction for them to be counselled into focussing on themselves. Being glued to a virtual world was never a challenge this generation faced, the new normal however being, that’s the only way to be connected, and hence the disarrangement of thoughts. Therefore, its now a good time to detox! Contrarian as it may seem, it’s a good idea for the kids to be cajoled into some self-introspection, some @me time, and cultivation of thoughts that have been closeted due to their virtual world.
Adults managing their emotions, watching their thoughts and tempering their reactions, would be the next best thing! Children mirror the sentiments of what they see around, at least till their adolescence, if not ahead of that. It then becomes imperative that adults are conscious of their actions, the words they speak, the news they relate to, the sentiments they echo. Often as adults its natural to have fixated opinions about things. COVID-19, is the master of things in years that we have been around, which means, ideas and opinions including judgements are at its peak. Its important that this mixed bag of emotions are displayed in a positive, neutralized frame, or better still not displayed at all, in the presence of the children. Simple comments could have a xenophobic impression on the minds that we are not watching closely, which could be related to nationalities, regions, or any other culturally dividing or alienating syndromes. Adults, be careful of the words you choose ever so much today!
In a nutshell, times change, and this time too shall. It will emerge with its learnings, and we will have some retrospective thinking ahead of us. So getting a perspective of the transience of time will help both the young and the old tide through.
