At the time of writing ‘lockdown exit plan’ seems to be a much overused phrase. As other countries look at ways of easing the physical restrictions that have been in place for weeks it’s clear that our own government is now doing this too. A plan for getting employees back to work has been leaked and already widely criticised for putting too much choice in the hands of employers who may or may not really know what to do for the best. It’s causing more anxiety, I can almost sense it in the atmosphere. But it’s just one of the many examples we’re going to face in the coming weeks and months of life after lockdown that feels challenging to tackle.
The dilemma of mixed emotions
What are you feeling when you hear “lockdown could come to an end soon”? For me, it’s a mix of anxiety and hope. Joyful relief and a sense apprehension about whether this will be properly managed, by me and by others. And then, as we wait for tests to become widely available we have the added concern that we don’t know how vulnerable we are, whether or not we’re carriers etc. All this is completely understandable – just because we seem to have passed the peak of the virus doesn’t mean that it’s plain sailing from here on in. There are a lot of tough decisions ahead, personally and professionally, and for most of us ‘normal’ isn’t going to look anything like it did six months ago.
A plan for the coming months
In my coaching conversations I am noticing that many of my clients are beginning to think beyond the end of lockdown. The initial few months after this happens will likely be chaotic but it could be the 6-12 months following this that are the most crucial. Some of the most pressing questions for planning for this period are going to be:
Can we give ourselves the time that we need to process what has happened? COVID-19 has, so far, killed more than 30,000 people in the UK. Even if we haven’t been directly affected we know friends or family who have, and the sheer impact of that number and all the stories behind each individual number may weigh heavy on our minds. You might find you have some sense of ‘survivor’s guilt’ for not suffering as much as others, for escaping loss or not being ill. I know some people have found themselves becoming slightly agoraphobic, especially when it comes to navigating other people when out and about. You may also be experiencing excitement, a renewed sense of purpose, and hope for a kinder society.
In other words, a whole range of emotions are likely to present themselves in the months after lockdown ends, that broadly follows the grief curve. It’s important to allow ourselves time to process these without rushing back to work. We need to take time to think these things through and not squash them down in the back of our minds.
Do you want to return to what was or create something new? I know a lot of people are realising during lockdown that there are some systems, approaches – even previous career choices – that they don’t want to continue when the return to work happens. Now is a good time to re-evaluate what you want to take forward and what you’d rather leave behind. These don’t have to be dramatic changes or lifestyle shifts, it could be something as simple as staying in touch with the people you love most, or applying for flexible working.
What resources do you have to help you through this time? Reaching out for help is going to be essential and there is plenty of support available. Family and friends might be a first port of call, as well as support groups, communities and churches. I recommend coaching of course! Or booking in for a Pause hour. It could be useful in helping you to make sense of ideas or instincts you’ve had during lockdown and how these could change your life or career in the future for the better.
Recovery from this period of lockdown is going to take some time. It’s essential for all of us to be patient, to plan for a real period of rehabilitation – both physical and emotional – and to reach out for support when and where it’s needed.