Summary

The article discusses finding personal comfort and growth during the coronavirus pandemic through mindfulness and self-reflection, particularly emphasizing the experience for those in recovery from addiction.

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has compelled individuals to confront their discomfort with solitude and self-awareness, presenting an opportunity for personal growth and a deeper understanding of mindfulness. The author, Michael Patanella, shares his insights on how the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for change, forcing people to adapt to new norms and confront cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing and black-and-white thinking. Despite the initial shock and the rise of negative emotions like panic and anxiety, Patanella argues that mindfulness practice can lead to a sense of peace and contentment. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the present moment's safety and the value of simple daily joys, even amidst isolation and uncertainty. The article underscores the potential for rediscovering comfort within one's own skin and the power of acceptance and self-love during trying times, especially for those battling mental health issues and addiction.

Opinions

The author believes that the pandemic has served as a teacher, revealing our capacity for disruptive change and the need to confront our true selves.
Patanella acknowledges the common human tendency to catastrophize and fall into cognitive distortions when faced with the unknown, such as the coronavirus.
He suggests that mindfulness can be a powerful tool to stabilize emotions and foster hope, even when external circumstances are challenging.
The article posits that despite the discomfort of being alone, there is a distinction between solitude and loneliness, and mindfulness can help navigate this difference.
Patanella shares his personal experience of finding peace and contentment through mindfulness, even in isolation.
He encourages readers to appreciate the simpler

Finding Comfort In Our Own Skin

Lessons from coronavirus and sobriety

The coronavirus has been an experience that has become the foundation for determining just how comfortable (or uncomfortable) we are with ourselves. We become forced to consciously experience being in our own skin, whether we want to or not. From there, we can either implode or blossom.

The pandemic has become the teacher for change. It has shown us just how disruptive anything can be for us when it’s not the norm.

While this issue with the pandemic is only temporary, the situation is still one that certainly shocked us, the very moment we were asked to do something different. Or not do something that we want to or we’re used to.

Very few parts of this feel comfortable. Panic, anxiety, worry, and fear all come easier than usual, and more often as well.

I have learned through mindfulness practice that many people can be very reactive — myself very much included. We have an instinctive nature to catastrophize when we don’t understand. We can go from practicing mindfulness to running from it.

Then we step into cognitive distortions, which become very real issues. Catastrophizing is only one of the potential distortions. We struggle and suffer with many more like black and white thinking, over-generalization, and misdirected blame. We may feel resentment, and we get into “should of, would of” reasoning.

We forget the purpose and foundation of mindfulness.

That doesn’t mean it’s too late. We can always stop and take a deep breath and realize that we can find a lot of help and peace with a practice like mindfulness.

It is a process that I myself have often found deep success with. In my most anxious times, I have been able to stabilize my own anxieties and fears. From there I would recognize that no matter how bad something may be out in the world, there is always hope, and peace in the simpler day-to-day components of my life.

Mindfulness reminds me that I still have a supportive network of loved ones, a warm bed, and a roof over my head.

For everything I have been through, I can still say I have my own peace within. I am able to reset myself.

While the coronavirus does stress me out, I am always able to get my mind back to a place where I am reminded that in the present moment right now, I am safe and I am okay.

This example of mindfulness is a practice not learned easily but can be mastered with consistent commitment. This here can be great preparation for difficult experiences just like dealing with changes that coronavirus has forced onto all of us.

The worry and panic about this disease is something we can all relate to. The effects like these are similar, and being felt across the board. But, just what does happen when we are forced to be aware of what it feels like living in our own skin? Is it frightening?

Many people spend years, or a lifetime doing everything in their power, in their lives to avoid dealing with the idea of “self.” When even the thought of looking in the mirror can actually make our stomachs turn.

It may just be likely that for some, it has been many years since they have had to accept being alone. We have to come to a point where we can find comfort in being alone but forewarned against loneliness.

We can be able to utilize awareness and be mindful so we can recognize if that alone time is turning into lonely time, or if staying at home, is turning into isolation.

When I began to realize how isolated life was going to be for a time, at first those cognitive distortions tried to grab a hold of my mind, and the feeling of fright showed itself at first. However, I worked hard on the situation, and I got myself to a place where I realized I could find peace and contentment from getting this little bit of a break from life.

As mentioned earlier, there are blessings I have in the moment that can be difficult to see in tough times. But the blurry reality can become clear. We all deserve to have a chance to be able to see through the fog and find peace within the coronavirus pandemic, and more peace within being alone with ourselves.

Alone, and comfortable.

This is a journey where we can rediscover ourselves. We can take life back to a time where we can enjoy the simpler things in our lives. We can appreciate the calmness of our homes, and we can do things that seem so rare these days, like reading a book, or a magazine. Taking a walk, waving at neighbors, doing a jigsaw puzzle, completing a word find, or working on a crossword.

We can go back to a time where we can enjoy things, like listening to the radio or simply conversing at the dinner table or anywhere with a loved one. Which can be done even while social distancing.

This can be a trying time for all of us. There are most certainly so many risk factors that go beyond physical health. It can be a true test for those of us who have mental illnesses, especially addiction, anxiety, and depression. We have to police ourselves.

I try to take this entire experience for what it offers. It gives me the reminder that while it may seem like restriction is mandatory, that doesn’t always mean we just sit back and restrict our own living.

Acceptance too is a major tool in our lives that will either make us or break us. It’s an evolving work in progress to learn it, but it can really show its value when we really can practice it.

We have overcome so much worse in our days. A test of all of our spirits. It can bend it, but not break it. It cannot take it down, or take it away from us. For those of us who can find comfort within our own skin, know you will succeed through this.

For those who question their self-love, maybe this is a time of great test from your higher power. Maybe, just maybe, this will be a wonderful lesson in faith for all.

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.