Monday, May 18, 2020

Quarantine Fatigue Is Real: How To Help Others Deal

I saw this great article in The Atlantic today:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/quarantine-fatigue-real-and-shaming-people-wont-help/611482/?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

Being mindful and safe is important, but being realistic and compassionate is also essential! We each have one short life and different values, so helping people who see little point in continuing to exist without living — getting people who can't understand protecting the weak and frail around them who refuse to protect themselves — to see how they can meet you halfway is likely going to be much more effective than trying to shame them into submission. 

Don't get me wrong, huge park gatherings can get on my last nerve too. That said, having old people get in my personal space and say they're not worried about all this while I'm bending over backwards trying to keep them alive at the expense of my own mental, physical, and financial health makes me want to throw in the towel and invite every freakin person I know for a house party. 

I'm not advocating for any particular point of view here; I'm saying that you're a lot more likely to get support for yours if you offer those who are opposed options to come as far as they're willing and/or able. Do you know how many times I've not donated to a cause I wanted to support because I was unable or unwilling to give in the ways or amounts that could be accepted? Make it seem easy and reasonable for people to help, and you may be surprised by how much more positive of a response you receive.

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