Pandemic fatigue is real and doesn’t just affect health workers.
Today, it is almost impossible to find a person who is not tired of social distancing. Whether you agree with your government’s strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic or not, it is undeniable that living this way for several months can be a challenge for everyone.
But what about introverts? We should be better equipped to deal with social isolation, right? Well, generally speaking, we are, but that’s just part of the story.
#The beginning of the epidemic
In the spring of 2020, when the pandemic spread across Europe and North America and governments began implementing social distancing measures, I took it lightly.
Of course, I wasn’t happy about this global crisis, but I found it somewhat ironic that the whole world was suddenly forced to adopt a lifestyle that was normal for a quiet recluse like me.
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It seemed as if, in the end, all introverts were vindicated after years of being misfits and outsiders in extroverted society.
Unlike extroverts, we have had no difficulty implementing social distancing measures since many of us have been living this way for years. staying at home? Most of the time! Keep your distance from others? definitely! Avoid large social gatherings? always!
But months passed, and the situation wasn’t so ridiculous anymore. We have all lost our normal lives and no longer enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we took for granted before the pandemic began.
Yes, it’s true that we, as introverts, were friends with social isolation long before the coronavirus hit. We always know how to entertain ourselves without leaving home. And we have fewer needs for social interaction than the rest.
But we also enjoy our little get-togethers with our few friends and miss our nearest and dearest people who live far away. We often miss the time when we can go out to dinner or watch the latest sci-fi movie at the cinema.
One simple cause of pandemic fatigue is affecting both introverts and extroverts
But most importantly, every one of us is tired of social distancing and the pandemic situation for one simple reason – we want to take back our future. We all miss the privilege of making plans for our lives.
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Under the current circumstances, we have to postpone our plans. And I’m not just talking about our travel or entertainment arrangements. I’m also talking about life goals and pursuits.
Everyone who planned to follow their dream and start a business in the pre-pandemic world is no longer sure that it is possible to achieve it. A person who was about to start a family and have a child is no longer sure that this is the right moment.
Essentially, we have put our personal lives on hold for an indefinite period. This is one of the main reasons for the so-called epidemic fatigue, which has affected people of all nations, ages and personality types.
Human beings thrive when they can plan for their future and have a purposeful goal to strive for. When we have no other choice but to live in an atmosphere of global fear and uncertainty, our mental health suffers.
We feel confused and insecure. We realize how weak and helpless we are. Currently, we don’t even have the power to make decisions about our lives. We are no longer sure about our tomorrow and have no idea when we will get our normal lives back.
#Pandemic depression
But there are more negative effects of the pandemic on our mental health: there is also the concept of pandemic depression.
I would say that this emotional state is very similar to the so-called Weltschmerz, which describes the pain caused by the suffering of the world and the inability to change the situation.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that every sensitive individual, regardless of their profession or personality type, is feeling down and hopeless right now.
Seeing other people suffering and feeling all that tension of fear, uncertainty, and panic in the air can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for empaths or highly sensitive individuals. Not to mention the never-ending stream of negative news from your phone, computer and TV screens.
Other factors that lead to pandemic depression are very similar to the causes of pandemic fatigue and include long-term social isolation, uncertainty about one’s future, and lack of freedom.
Is there a way to deal with pandemic fatigue and depression?
However, despite all this, let us not lose hope in these difficult times. Let us continue to believe that positive change will come soon. Until then, we will have to find ways to keep going and overcome pandemic fatigue and depression.
As for me, I have found a strange and effective treatment: I have noticed that reading dystopian books and watching dark movies and TV series help relieve these emotional states.
Maybe it works because we find dystopian films and novels relatable like never before. Or because we’re relieved that the heroes of those movies and books have a harder time than us.
