In this video, I explain PPP – Post Pandemic Pressure. PPP’s origins make a ton of sense. As we move out of survival mode and back into and thriving, it is understandable that the paused things in our lives begin to bubble up. The thing is, when you have operated in survival mode for a long time, it’s not easy to just turn it off. As I have mentioned in my blogs, the parts of our brain and nervous system that protect us by being on alert for threats will always err on the side of caution. Our brain would rather stay in protection mode when we don’t need it than shut off before a perceived threat is officially over. Because the pandemic has gone on for so long, our systems are a bit stuck in this mode. They will need some pretty convincing evidence that things are okay before they back off.

Therefore, while you may want to kick all of these anxiety/meh feelings to the curb, it’s important that we first acknowledge that the survival stuff served us very well over these last 15 months. It can be a silent acknowledgment to yourself or someone else. Then, don’t fight against the pressure, anxiety, or blah. Instead, just notice when it’s there, preferably without self-judgment. What does it feel like in your body? What is the narrative running through your head? What are the indicators that it’s there? (Perhaps it’s wandering around your house aimlessly?)

Here are some other things you can do when PPP shows up:

• Name it, and no, don’t name it “laziness” or something else critical. If you don’t like PPP, call it something else (e.g., “the bullshit feeling that keeps pestering me”), but name it as a thing that’s occurring and not a character flaw.
• Offer yourself some compassion and acknowledge that it really does make sense.
• Take note of the fact that you are not alone in feeling this way. Talk to someone about what you are experiencing. Connect to this as part of a larger, shared human experience. Doing so isolation and, in turn, suffering.
• Tune into yourself and check on what feels the most important; notice any of the fears that are holding you back, and do some reality testing – what is this really about? Is this something that has to happen now? Is this fear likely to come to fruition? Are these anxious or blah feelings alerting me to needs that need attending to?

Most importantly, remember, moving out of survival mode is a process that you don’t need to rush, no matter what the world around you says. Take your time. All the things will be there when you are ready.