5) Give and Receive Emotional Support
Sharing Our Stories + Tell Your Story
An important part of getting through a crisis comes from sharing our stories and experiences. Through these, we learn from each other about how to cope, how to work differently, ways to deal with fear, loss + challenges, and how we've been finding hope and joy.
Here are some questions you might ask others, and share yourself:
How are you doing? (really)
What are you afraid of?
What are you grateful for?
What’s it like going through this?
What is bringing you hope/inspiration?
What are you grieving?
How are you coping?
What are you enjoying, or even loving, about this time?
How are you growing?
How are you staying connected with people?
What are using this time at home?
Has this time given you any new freedoms, permissions or opportunities?
Whether we write or speak about our experiences, it helps to share them. It helps us (and others) feel listened to and heard. It enlarges our perspective on what people are going through. And can helps us feel and stay connected.
Where and how can we do this?
1) With family and close friends
The next time you're talking with them, ask what they're going through and share how you are. and if you don't want to talk much about COVID, share some family stories, or memories with your friends.
2) In your circle of friends
Send out an email to people you trust. Tell them that you’d like to share your story. Share something important to you (e.g. about one of the questions above). And invite them to do the same.
3) With colleagues, or other front-line workers
Arrange a zoom, Skype or other call, so you and others can share your stories. You might share: challenges you are going through, moments of grace, things you are grateful for.
4) With people in your network, or those with similar issues + concerns
This could be: Children and parenting. Living with a disability. Caregiving. Dementia. Health, healing. Small business. Church. Pets. Sports...
If you are feeling that you'd like to share your experiences and hear others', chances are you are not alone. Others would probably value it as well.
There are many ways of connecting:
- phone and email
- online video/audio channels like Skype, Facetime, Zoom
- local media
Consider which way(s) would be easiest for you.
Don't feel like initiating the connection?
Then you might try one of these...
"What acts of kindness have lifted your spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic?"
Tell us about people and communities who are facing these challenges with compassion and care.
https://humanrights.ca/stories/share-your-story#/
Coronavirus Confessions
Whether it's about social distancing, self-isolation, quarantining, or something else, share your anonymous stories in the time of COVID-19. (Share yours + read others')
"The one change that worked" - Share your stories
We want to hear about the biggest lifestyle change you have made as a result of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Sharing your stories from here, anywhere
“When we share our stories... it opens up our hearts for other people to share their stories. And it gives us the sense that we are not alone on this journey.”
- Janine Shepherd
“Tears are words that need to be written.”
- Paulo Coelho
"The healing that can grow out of the simple act of telling our stories is often quite remarkable."
- Susan Wittig Albert