Musings | Stay or Go?
“Should I stay, or should I go?”
We are getting there. Restrictions are starting to ease. We can gather again. Before we dive into tips to deal with the real challenges of re-engaging in the things we did pre-pandemic, please take three minutes to laugh as Saturday Night Live explores the awkward conversations we may experience in the coming months.
All joking aside, it is vital to acknowledge that as we re-enter a world with fewer restrictions, there is a new mental toll upon us - deciding how we want to engage with the world and what activities we are comfortable doing. It may feel that each decision involves reassessing activities that once seemed normal. This transition may be challenging for some - learning how to interact socially again is not as simple as jumping back on a bike after a long absence -re-engaging socially is a multilayered endeavor. It may feel that each decision involves reassessing activities that once seemed normal - are they safe? Is it ok for me to do this?
When we decide what feels safe to us and what doesn’t, we weigh four factors and engage several areas of our brain. Here’s an example from the Wall Street Journal that outlines how these factors work when weighing in on how to decide to attend an indoor event from the perspective of someone who is fully vaccinated.
Risk Aversion: What risks am I willing to take when I fully understand the risks?
a. I am fully vaccinated, the risk of me contracting COVID and getting seriously ill is minimal (according to the CDC)
b. The decision to make: am I comfortable being inside with a big group of people and possibly being exposed to COVID
Uncertainty Aversion: The more uncertain a situation is, the more likely someone is to be cautious. The more we know, the less we feel conflicted. The ambiguous risk is tied to how much is unknown.
a. Is everyone vaccinated?
b. How high are infection rates in town?
c. Is there enough ventilation?
Habits: Our habits and what we felt comfortable with before the pandemic will influence how we act and think as we move into post-pandemic situations. However, the habits we developed during the pandemic will also influence what we do as well (i.e., seeing friends but only outdoors)
Personal Experience with COVID: Finally, our own experience with the pandemic will also influence our decisions. Someone who became seriously ill or lost a loved one to Covid may take a different course of action as things re-open than someone who did not have any direct interaction with the virus.
All of us are unique and will process these factors differently. Some people are driven by their habits, others are risk-averse, and some do not do well with ambiguity. While there will be similar ways in which people respond, ultimately, everyone will be slightly different. For some, re-engagement decisions will be anxiety-provoking. During this period of (continuing) adaptation, it is vital to be aware that all of us are navigating uncharted waters and that we will take varying paths as we begin to emerge in a world where Covid is less prevalent. As always, be kind to yourself and be kind to others as we move through this stage of the pandemic. Check out the resources below for more information.