I know it feels like the world is completely unpredictable right now. From one day to the next, none of us know what to expect when we turn on the news. It’s the first time in our recent history that anything like this has ever occurred, so many of us are feeling anxious, sad, frustrated, and a number of other things.

We are trying so hard to adjust to a new “normal” that is really anything but normal. Despite what the online world wants you to believe, not everyone is able to be creative and productive every single day while we trudge on through these weeks. This is not an easy time, and you absolutely can’t beat yourself up for not doing more than what you already are. It’s not in any way unreasonable to feel like you aren’t your true self right now, because none of us do.

There is a huge disconnection between each person stuck in their homes and the rest of the world. This is easily one of the loneliest and most stressful periods of time, so it’s no wonder so many people are feeling off. Can you think of any other period of your lifetime where life looked like it does now? Probably not.

If you are not feeling like yourself in the midst of this quarantine, you’re not alone. Please do not beat yourself up for handling this situation in whatever way you are. It doesn’t matter if you are learning a new hobby or spending every day under your covers with the blinds shut. The bottom line is that no matter how we are passing the time, no one feels like themselves right now.

We are anxious. We are sad. We are suspicious of being hopeful. We are irritable. We are stir crazy and dying to get out of our houses again. We are all over the place.

It’s not just you. We are all doing our best to handle this, even if it doesn’t feel like we are doing the greatest job at it. You are not alone, even though I know it sure feels lonely in isolation.

If there is one positive thing you can do for yourself, it is to be patient. If you are feeling out of touch, that’s okay. If you have been hot and cold or even snapped at someone you didn’t mean to, cut yourself some slack. If you are feeling sad and worried, well, it’s no wonder that you are.

Do not expect yourself to be exactly who you were before this all started. Everything is different, including ourselves.

If there was ever a time to show yourself some extra kindness, it’s right now.

You don’t have to be your usual, productive self. You don’t have to keep up your workout routine. You don’t have to keep your home perfect at all times. Handle this thing however you need to handle it so you can get through it. That’s the best thing any of us can do until we see the other side of this. Remind yourself that we will make it through, even if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel quite yet.