How Do I Explain Why You Are Stressing Me Out?: A Lockdown Perspective

You’re offended but it’s all about you

Photo by Jose Fontano on Unsplash

I’m writing from a city that has endured (to date) six lockdowns, including one that lasted for over 110 days. We know lockdowns here — we’re experts at them! But what comes with that is the growing understanding (often in a negative way) that nobody else knows what it’s been like. And what effect it has on you, even when you’re mostly coping OK.

Which brings me to the stress caused by other people. Probably unknowingly, unwittingly. But because for a lot of people these days, it’s all about them.

I get it. Your life is your life, and the things you have to cope with are stressful for you. Illness, fear, lack of money, instability of all kinds, disputes with others. You feel like you have to protect yourself, or you have to make a stand, because in this horribly uncertain world, that makes you feel better. Yes, I totally get it.

But I am not you.

I have my own stresses, my own worries that keep me awake at 3am, my own circle of people who I rely on and support. And when it comes to the place where you and I intersect, guess what? I’m going to stand up for myself. Because I’m the one person I can rely on, have to rely on. And that’s a pressure in itself. Keeping…