Alanis Morissette Helps To Cope With Corona

Sometimes, life is a paradox. The more you push, the less its gets ‘your way’. A global pandemic like Corona (COVID-19) reminds us of this. How to know what is best to do, what to tackle and where to surrender? Alanis Morissette shows you one of several ways to cope in these extra-ordinary times.

Surrendering is not something most people I know are very good at. If you are like me you prefer to plan and analyze. You want to shape and steer. Sometimes, however, this wish to control, to know in advance, this urge to ‘figure it out’ is not helpful. As Alanis Morissette points out in this wonderful song, “What it all comes down to my friend, Is nobody’s got it figured out just yet.”

We all have to figure out quite a few things now that the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The drastic measures many governments have taken to protect the health of the people as well as to safe the lives of the most vulnerable individuals – have pulled us out of our routines and usual ways of living. You may feel “sane but overwhelmed” or “lost but hopeful” like Alanis.

If you are already a bit advanced in life like me, you may also believe “that everything’s gonna be fine, fine, fine.” Because you have overcome difficulties before. Because you have found some internal balance and the capacity to keep a broader perspective. Because life has presented you already several occasions where all you could do was to let go…

How to keep your spirits high?

These days you may experience a shift in your perception of time. You are reminded of the fact that we humans are mortal and that life can end quickly. I wrote about how tales of death can enhance your life before. You may savour the present moment consciously. You may carve out more quality time with loved ones than before.

You are feeling down right now, procrastinating, feeling overwhelmed? Try this to lift your mood (it’s fast, it’s easy, it’s effective I promise).

Let me tell you an open secret: if you want to be happy here and now, you have to make a constant effort. Holistic well being depends but little on circumstances. It has a lot to do with your capacity to differentiate between the things you can address and change and those you can’t. Happiness is a choice.

Maybe you are wondering as well how to spend the time you have right now because you’re not supposed to leave your home. More about this soon.

As a single parent or high performing woman you may also have to juggle even more plates than usual. You may have to hustle even more than before to earn money doing what you love. In that case, scroll down and learn more about living in Einstein Time at the bottom of the post.

Where to start?

Start here and now. In the present. One of the existential questions that Bright Adults seem to ask themselves often is, “How can I best spend my (precious) time?” That’s one facet of their perfectionist tendency.

How to use your time best

The answer is simple: it’s all a question of finding an equilibrium between focused action, perseverance as well as patience and surrendering. How to put this into practice? The paradoxes of life can take different forms.

These days we are reminded of our shared humanity. You may become more aware of your core values or what motivates you. You may want to live even more fully on purpose and fulfil your mission. Or you may want to think about these issues one more time.

You may have lots of time because of the altered circumstances and seize the day to learn and grow.

Here are a few ideas and ways to explore new things and to cope better.

Six ways to cope with corona

1   Check out the MOOC on the Science of Happiness

2   Expand your view: free online astronomy mini-courses (for kids aged 8-12, but members of my private learning community said they loved it, too)

3   Visit an international museum or photo exhibition online

4   Be social anyway. Call either a good friend you have lost touch with or someone who lives on her own and who might love to get some attention and care.

5   Give yourself a break. Surrender to all the things you cannot change. I invite you to just listen to the music or delve into the lyrics of Alanis Morissette. Let this song give you a jolt of joy, make you want to dance and feel good in your body, smile at yourself in the mirror and just leave it at that… (click on the title below to listen to it). Because… “What it all comes down to is that everything’s gonna be quite alright.”

Alanis Morissette’s advice to cope with corona (and life in general):

“Hand In My Pocket“

6   Learn to live in Einstein Time

If you are a Bright Adult wishing to live in Einstein Time, sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page