Easier said than done, right? We are in uncertain times, possibly unprecedented uncertainty. We are surrounded by fear, and sometimes it feels like we have no control over this COVID-19 nightmare. But…we do have some control.

I admit I have come a long way since the pandemic first reared its evil head in March 2020. At first, I freaked out. When there were only thirty something cases in my entire county, I hoarded up at my father-in-law’s lake house and was fearful to go anywhere. All I watched on television was the news, and I obsessed over the spike in cases every single day. I was petrified to be around my step kids because they were in the public school system. I went as far as to make a COVID-19 manual for everyone in the house to follow. It contained best practices for not spreading the virus.

I acted like a damn drill sergeant. I made everybody wash their hands before entering the kitchen. I only allowed one person in the kitchen at a time, and that person had to wipe everything down with Clorox wipes after they fixed their food. I didn’t see my friends or my family. And if anyone got too close to me, I became very socially awkward. No hugs. No parties. No going to the grocery. All of this was in vain. I ended up getting the virus after practically living in isolation for one year. Only explanation for this is I manifested it. I thought about not getting COVID all the time, and BAM! I got it.

I had to get back to metaphysics basics and remind myself how dangerous it is to live in fear. Living in fear attracts in more fear. After I recovered from COVID and got vaccinated, I had a different perspective about this virus. I changed my mode of operation and am getting back to my normal self. Here are some changes I made, and I feel much, much better and way more confident about surviving this pandemic.

• Stop watching the news.
• Trust me when I say that watching the news does you no good, only harm. What good does it do to watch or listen to one depressing news story after another? Watching the news is insane. I say this because insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
• Don’t believe what you see or read on social media.
• Never ever trust a news story you find on social media. Lady Gaga said social media is the junkyard of the Internet, and she is right.
• Feel grateful for what you have.
• Each day practice gratitude. If you are healthy, don’t take your good health for granted. Be thankful for it and express gratitude every chance you get.
• Have fun.
• If you have an opportunity to have fun, don’t let it pass you by. Laughing and having fun create high frequency emotions and those emotions cancel out worry and fear.
• Know that this pandemic will pass.
• Patience is indeed a virtue. Be patient and know this will pass.
• Be kind to yourself.
• Invest in things that make you feel good. Feeling good is so important right now.
• You are number 1. Take care of your emotional and mental health. If you’re scared, that is OK. Don’t beat yourself up over being scared. We’re all scared to a certain extent.
• Meditate.
• Meditation is the key to achieving calmness, peace, and patience. Find a meditation practice that works for you.
• Exercise.
• Enjoy the outdoors as much as possible! Take a hike, a walk, do whatever makes you feel lighter.
• Check out virtual options for yoga classes, toning classes, etc. The Peloton Bike offers tons of options for streaming high quality workouts.
• Practice empathy.
• If someone disagrees with your views about the pandemic or the vaccine, try stepping into their shoes instead of attacking their perspective. People are afraid and this is unfamiliar territory.
• Being kind is another high frequency emotion. When you have the option to be right or be kind, choose peace (aka kindness). If you have no desire to be right, you are impossible to argue with.
• Focus on perfect health.
• Worrying over the virus might attract it in. Try to shift your focus and emotions to the present. Do you feel great right now? Focus on that.
• Use this positive affirmation each day, “I am perfect health.”
• Watch something or read something that makes you laugh.
• Movie
• TV show
• Standup Comedy
• Book
• Magazine

I am by no means downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic by telling you to laugh and have fun. Facts are the virus is here and it is here to stay. We must find the best possible coping mechanisms until we achieve herd immunity and worrying is not going to solve anything. Worry and fear only make things worse. No matter what your unique situation may be, you can adopt these practices without spending any money. I will say, however, if you have the financial means to spoil yourself, now is a great time to do that.