By Ashley Marlow, Lower and Middle School counselor
It’s been over a year since the pandemic forced us into a lockdown. The disruption of life as we knew it had a profound impact on mental health, with rates of anxiety and depression increasing significantly across all generations. As a way of protecting ourselves from complete mental and emotional exhaustion, many have been taking it one day at a time, eagerly awaiting the day when we no longer have to think about wearing masks, social distancing and obsessively cleaning our hands.
While it might feel tempting to erase this era from our memories, we also have to consider how it has impacted and shaped us. Taking time to reflect on our experiences allows us to see how much growth has happened, as well as to acknowledge the losses that we’ve faced.
COVID-19 has been described as a collective trauma that can potentially impact us for years to come. Our tendency to push forward might actually harm us in the long run if we don’t make a point to process it. Writing and/or talking about our thoughts and emotions has long been viewed as an effective way of coping with stressful events. Even if you aren’t the type to keep a regular journal, this exercise can be effective in both healing and building resilience.
Consider creating a family journal or initiate a family discussion to reflect on the following questions regarding this unprecedented time:
What is something positive about the past year?
What has been the most challenging part of the past year?
What has changed, and what has stayed the same?
What did holiday celebrations look like this year? What do we want to continue doing?
What have I learned about my neighborhood and city this past year?
What have I learned about myself and my family members?
If I could go back to when the pandemic started, what advice would I give myself?
What losses have I experienced, and how did I get through them?
What steps have I taken to care for my physical and mental health?
What am I looking forward to doing once life returns to “normal”?
What have we learned that is most important to us during this time? How can our actions reflect that?
What do we want our quality time with family and friends to look like?
How can we prioritize our mental and physical health?
Reflecting on our experiences allows us to think about what we’ve learned and examine what changes we want to make moving forward. To quote Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
As we mark this strange anniversary, we can celebrate surviving a period of unforeseen circumstances and the resilience that has been built while also acknowledging how hard this time has been. The example that we set for children and adolescents in how we process this situation influences how they will process it as well. We must allow ourselves to grieve what has been lost. Simply moving on is a disservice to the significance of this moment, both from a historical and futuristic perspective. For it’s only when pain is acknowledged that healing can begin.
Ashley Marlow
Lower and Middle School Counselor
Ashley Marlow was born in California but grew up in New Jersey. Attending an all-girls school from Grades 9 through 12 gave her the opportunity to appreciate the value of an independent school and an environment that can develop the leaders of the future. Ms. Marlow returned to the West Coast for college and received her Bachelor of Arts in communications from Pepperdine University. She studied abroad in Florence in her sophomore year and consequently loves all things Italian. Initially, Ms. Marlow planned to work in the entertainment industry as a casting director but later realized that career would not give her a sense of purpose. Instead, she wanted to help guide people toward their passions and goals.
By Michelle Hirschy, director of wellness The start of the school year is such a joyous time for many children and families. Some students are excited to meet their new.
By Nicholas Chan, M.D., Rady Children’s Hospital, LJCDS wellness partner I suspect that many of you, like myself, had your fill of parenting over the holiday break. With the children.
By Ashley Marlow, Lower and Middle School Counselor At LJCDS, we know that relationships are at the heart of well-being. It’s one of the reasons why we pride ourselves on.
By Geordie Mitchell, assistant head of school for enrollment management and outreach The pandemic has introduced stresses in all of our lives that most of us could never have imagined.
Reflecting on the Collective Trauma of the Pandemic
By Ashley Marlow, Lower and Middle School counselor
It’s been over a year since the pandemic forced us into a lockdown. The disruption of life as we knew it had a profound impact on mental health, with rates of anxiety and depression increasing significantly across all generations. As a way of protecting ourselves from complete mental and emotional exhaustion, many have been taking it one day at a time, eagerly awaiting the day when we no longer have to think about wearing masks, social distancing and obsessively cleaning our hands.
While it might feel tempting to erase this era from our memories, we also have to consider how it has impacted and shaped us. Taking time to reflect on our experiences allows us to see how much growth has happened, as well as to acknowledge the losses that we’ve faced.
COVID-19 has been described as a collective trauma that can potentially impact us for years to come. Our tendency to push forward might actually harm us in the long run if we don’t make a point to process it. Writing and/or talking about our thoughts and emotions has long been viewed as an effective way of coping with stressful events. Even if you aren’t the type to keep a regular journal, this exercise can be effective in both healing and building resilience.
Consider creating a family journal or initiate a family discussion to reflect on the following questions regarding this unprecedented time:
Reflecting on our experiences allows us to think about what we’ve learned and examine what changes we want to make moving forward. To quote Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
As we mark this strange anniversary, we can celebrate surviving a period of unforeseen circumstances and the resilience that has been built while also acknowledging how hard this time has been. The example that we set for children and adolescents in how we process this situation influences how they will process it as well. We must allow ourselves to grieve what has been lost. Simply moving on is a disservice to the significance of this moment, both from a historical and futuristic perspective. For it’s only when pain is acknowledged that healing can begin.
Lower and Middle School Counselor
Ashley Marlow was born in California but grew up in New Jersey. Attending an all-girls school from Grades 9 through 12 gave her the opportunity to appreciate the value of an independent school and an environment that can develop the leaders of the future. Ms. Marlow returned to the West Coast for college and received her Bachelor of Arts in communications from Pepperdine University. She studied abroad in Florence in her sophomore year and consequently loves all things Italian. Initially, Ms. Marlow planned to work in the entertainment industry as a casting director but later realized that career would not give her a sense of purpose. Instead, she wanted to help guide people toward their passions and goals.
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What to do if Your Child Doesn’t Want to go to School
By Michelle Hirschy, director of wellness The start of the school year is such a joyous time for many children and families. Some students are excited to meet their new.
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By Nicholas Chan, M.D., Rady Children’s Hospital, LJCDS wellness partner I suspect that many of you, like myself, had your fill of parenting over the holiday break. With the children.
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By Ashley Marlow, Lower and Middle School Counselor At LJCDS, we know that relationships are at the heart of well-being. It’s one of the reasons why we pride ourselves on.
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Sustaining Ourselves and Each Other
By Geordie Mitchell, assistant head of school for enrollment management and outreach The pandemic has introduced stresses in all of our lives that most of us could never have imagined.
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