Uy: Toxic

Uy: Toxic

THERE was a study that came out recently saying we must not neglect our mental health in this current pandemic. The study goes on to say that prolonged exposure to this kind of social distancing for the next three to six months will have serious repercussions for people struggling with anxiety, depression, and other behavioral disorders if it goes unmonitored. No man is an island, and it shows during this time where many of us are struggling with feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and uncertainty while not knowing who to share it to—cabin fever raised up to 100. But in order to go back to normal life and connect with people again, we need to stay at home for now at the risk of losing our minds—a Catch-22.

It is in our reactions that we can breed toxic personalities. Personally, there are individuals on social media that give me migraines and make me want to beat my head on a brick wall. The first are the Negative Nancys—for whom no amount of effort by any nation’s government is ever enough and no amount of good news is ever really good enough (it’s all a conspiracy theory by “The Man” to keep you unaware, they say). Were there to be a breakthrough in this whole pandemic situation now, they would find something about White Martian Outbreak on Mars and be outraged about how the Green Martians are not being attended to.

However, the opposite of the Negative Nancys, the Positive Pams, are no less toxic. If Nancys look only for the clouds in the silver lining, the Pams try to explain away all the clouds and reassure you that you are #blessed and should find five things to be grateful for every day. No “nega” stuff on their feed—all you’ll find is the power of positivity and heartwarming dog or cat pictures to brighten people’s day. It is okay to want to spread good vibes, but not at the expense of reality. The last thing we need now are Pams denying the severity of this situation—we do not need any more #Covidiots.

Both sides are dealing with this how they think is best. But languishing in our sorrow will do nothing; neither will covering our ears and shutting ourselves from anything remotely sad. This is an important lesson that they (and us, actually) need to learn: we need to confront this pandemic for what it is—a once-in-a-generation outbreak—mourn the loss of our way of life, and then ask what we can do to help. Want to not become a toxic person? Be honest with your feelings (anger or sadness), then move on to sympathize or empathize with others who might feel the same way. Let your feelings spur you into some sort of action, to help in whatever little way you can.

Let’s not be toxic Negative Nancys or Positive Pams. Look to be people of action, like Simple...I mean...Action Jack.

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