Throughout the last six weeks,
it seems toilet paper has become more valuable
than oil or gold.
It is so rare to find it on store shelves
that apps have been developed
to tell us where the nearest supply is
or to calculate how many days’ supply we have
based on the squares per use.
Why the tp tailspin?
This coach’s guess is that it is a way for us
to exert control during a period of fear and scarcity.
In a time when we feel out of control,
it is a way we can feel on top of (or behind)
something as the Covid19 crisis continues.
Three factors propel fear to spiral.
- Unpredictability:
This situation definitely qualifies as new news and findings
arise every day.
Also, what our leaders tell us is highly unpredictable. - Uncontrollable:
We are at a loss to control the outcome.
There are only a few things we can influence
such as social distancing and the choice of our activities. - Sustained over a period of time:
The consequences of the virus have been
going on for at least six weeks.
We don’t know when it will end or what the ripple effect will be.
When a situation shows all three of these symptoms,
fear hijacks us.
Stepping back, pausing and taking care of ourselves
will help us build a foundation of strength
so we can weather the storm and think rationally.
Then perhaps we can start focusing on other things
within our control besides toilet paper.
Check these out for a smile:
