During uncertain times happiness takes a backseat. Our current circumstances and our emotions go hand-in-hand. When a good event brings a smile to our face, its joy, but if that same event brings a coldness to our heart, it is to our dismay. It brings me to a question that I’ve been pondering. Is there happiness during chaos?

Ever wake up on a Monday and tell yourself, “I’m just not feeling it.” I’m sure we all have been there a time or two. But after a quick morning snack and two cups of coffee, we feel rejuvenated enough to face the day.

How do we take that example and apply it to a long term moment of blah? There’s not enough coffee in the world that can fix COVID-19 cabin fever. But, there are plenty of options to aid in keeping our sanity.

When given a circumstance of “long-term uncertainty,” depression or moments of feeling down can affect our day. Combat these feelings with limiting media and a new routine. I often fall into a routine that I love to follow. It allows me to complete my morning tasks autonomously. No brain required. Yay! It is good until my emotions begin to drop, and I lose my motivation. A lot of us are in this boat right now. The Stay At Home order is getting old, and the children are restless. Another good advice is to put down the phone. Right now, most articles are written to stir emotions. Sensationalism is what its called. Don’t fall victim to this petty game.

It is the perfect time to do something spontaneous for the children, like setting up a sheet tent in the living room. Or, make a couch cushion fort and pretend the floor is lava. It may work for little ones, but what about teenagers. Pump the brakes, Newman. I’m not going there. I don’t have children and teenagers have a wide range of interests. Advice from me on this subject is me gunning from the hips. Google is an excellent source of inspiration for this one. But I’m sure you already knew that. The idea is to mix up the daily routine just a little. Too much mix can lead to confusion and irritation, thus leading to a lack of interest. A little spice is nice.

On the other end of the spectrum, some of us are alone during this isolation period. A lack of human contact can hurt our emotions. Social media and TV can capture our attention for so long; then, we find ourselves staring at four walls. Having a hobby is the best remedy for too much time. Whether we are painting, writing, or just blogging to pass the time, a recreational activity allows us to take our minds off of the current situation. Setting in silence allows us to dwell. Dwelling opens the door for self-conviction, and that leads to depression.

No one knows the date and time that this will all end. We do know that we are in control of our emotions. Complaining never solves our problems. It does feel good to vent and decompress. However, bear in mind that whom we vent to takes on a portion of the negativity we exhaust. Listening to someone gripe and complain every minute of every day is taxing. I suggest bragging about the sunrise, how the weather was so lovely that we opened all the windows in the house, or how great it is to see our friend, even if it is via a tablet.

Yes, there is happiness during the chaos. We can manage our emotions by reducing the negativity and increasing the positivity. Although isolation can have a taxing effect on the soul, in the end, we are in control of how we act and react to our environment. We may have a long road ahead of us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it. No one said this has to be a time of misery. Our attitude dictates whether we had a good day or not. Which will you choose?