So you’ve heard of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), right?
With lockdown lifting again and another ‘new normal’ emerging, are you now experiencing FOGO, The Fear of Going Out?
We will all have different fears as we start to go out more and connect with others. This could be, for example, fear of catching Covid19 or passing Covid19 on to others or fear of the unknown, uncertainty and change.
Even basic needs like going to the toilet or shopping have changed.
The Game of (Public Toilet) Thrones
Firstly, you know in general that public toilets are not the cleanliest of places to visit so you have probably already pre-planned what toilets you intend to use.
Then you have got to open/close and un/lock the cubicle door with your elbows or feet and eventually you know deep down that you are going to have to use your hands at some point.
The art of squatting and balancing has been taken to a whole new level. It is a bit like that game you played as a kid where you had to jump from furniture to furniture to avoid the ‘lava’ carpet.
Avoiding touching the toilet seat with your bum cheeks tests out your thighs muscle strength, whilst multi-task by being mindful of clothes, coat, bag etc not lingering on any surfaces.
After touching a metal flush/door lock/tap/hand dryer button, you finally feeling you have won the game. Only to then touch the exit door handle on your way out. Bring your own hand sanitiser!
Supermarket Sweep
Clearly marked shopfloor arrows and distance markers are all disregarded by ‘Bendy Brenda’ who has a special power of being your own personal Space Invader.
As you grab your sanitised trolly or basket, then pick up fresh unwrapped fruit that has been touched a million times by ‘Best Before Date Barry’
Feeling a tinge of sadness, as you notice well-known high street stores holding closing-down sales and signs saying ‘everything must go’
Clothes shopping time that used to be spent enjoyed trying on items, now spent in queues returning items.
Clammy hands, thumping chest, gasping for air, all whilst wearing a face mask!
Road Map Step 2 and Beyond
As the roadmap continues to lift with Covid safety precautions in places such as gyms, hairdressers and bars and restaurants, for some this will impact mental health illness and for others improve mental health wellness.
- A haircut can bring on a panic attack or make you feel like a million dollars
- Leaving the house for exercise can be overwhelming or make you feel amazing
- Socialising around people can bring on anxiety or bring about laughter and joy
We are all different and we will all have our own emotions, responses, priorities, preferences, and boundaries. Let us simply be aware of these and honour that this will be unique for each of us.
So go at your own pace, one that is exactly right for you and one that your mental health wealth will thank you for.
If you would like to explore coaching together to achieve your own personal pace lockdown roadmap to ‘Overcome Your FOGO with Joe Roe’, simply book a free friendly confidential discovery call!
