A recent infotainment article said that the world will never be same again post COVID-19 and that we should get used to and accept the new normal. While we are still figuring  out what the new normal norms are, what we know for sure is that a lot  of us are struggling with a continuous feeling of hopelessness...hopelessness related to the world around; hopelessness related to  the virus; hopelessness related to our future prospects and more. It seems this hopelessness is some sort of an all-pervasive feeling that has seeped into all sections of our lives.

But if not dealt with, this hopelessness soon transforms into despondency, depression, anxiety and a feeling of not wanting to do anything or deal or talk with anyone. So, here are a few ways on how to deal with hopelessness.

1. Don’t over-generalize the current situation: A leading cause of hopelessness is an interpretation of our minds that no one ever will be in the same corner as me and that I am forsaken. “I am the only one caught inside the house with two toddlers, old parents, and a non-supportive husband. My situation is as hopeless as I am.” This feeling may largely be coming from experiences you may have picked up from a very small circle of friends and not a larger population...maybe the friend or family on your whatsapp group have smaller families or no aging people and therefore your life seems the most treacherous. And when those people repeatedly share stories of doom and virus and death you feel cornered and without escape at all. “With vulnerable elders, and small kids, I am doomed. My situation is hopeless.”  The anti-dote to this is to talk and interact with a larger group of people and from there glean hope-inducing anecdotes. The more people you talk to you, the more you realise that there are others such as you and still living and managing perfectly well. Also, rather than investing  your time and energy into a whatsapp group, read a larger variety of articles to get more insights.
2. Believe in your own worth: The economic downfall and isolation rules have had a depressing impact on a lot  of us particularly professionals who have been laid off. For them, they feel powerless and discount their own worth and positives and fall into the trap  of labelling. People who have been laid off feel that they were incompetent and deserved it. For them to let go of this feeling, it is important to make a list of their previous successes especially in their careers—any bonuses earned, perks given for achieving targets, honours and accolades, the fact that an old boss or company wanted you back—all your victories in the same domain from where you are suffering the loss..this will help shrug off the feeling of hopelessness. Also, if you feel that you are ‘stupid’, ‘always make wrong decisions’ think back and answer it for yourself...do you really make wrong decisions, ALWAYS. There must be moments in your life where you felt that you couldn’t have made a smarter move, or your decision brought relief to you or someone else..if you can identify even one such moment, tell yourself proudly that you are ‘not stupid’ and that ‘you can take right decisions too’.
3. Keep yourself occupied: When people don’t have enough to do, or don’t enjoy the job at hand, it  is easy for them to create imaginary, fatalistic situations for themselves that are devoid  of any hope at all. Therefore it is important that even when at home, keep your mind and body both occupied...cook, clean, read, learn calligraphy, paint, knit, sew, learn tai chi, make worksheets and tests for your kids, mix mocktails, indulge in gardening, try growing  lotus in a pot of water, volunteer to take neighbour’s dog for a walk, cook for the homeless, sort out photo albums, clear your mail box....the list of tasks that you can do to keep yourself occupied are endless; it will require just some thinking.
4. Also it will keep you away from the deep, dark, dismal corridors of hopelessness called social media.