Introduction
– This
activity was developed in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, but the content
can be used for any situation where an individual or group is forced to adapt
to sudden or unexpected changing circumstances
The
COVID-19 Epidemic has forced people to learn about how they handle change
because this situation forced change on everyone involved, to varying degrees.
Other life situations can do the same such as:
- Suddenly losing an important job or a major financial change
- Finding out you or someone you are close with are seriously sick or disabled
- A serious accident or natural disaster
- Losing a loved one unexpectedly
- Going into or coming out of a controlled environment
(There
are other examples as our lives, our circumstances, and the world changes)
Consider
some stages to the process of adapting to these types of unforeseen circumstances
(like the COVID-19 Pandemic)
As
a group try to answer all of the questions
Shock – In the shock stage,
we may feel surprised. Believing what is
going on around us can be hard. This can be normal for a while however shock
can lead to denial. People who stay in shock do not adapt.
Were you in shock at first? If so, what was
that like?
What would it be like to be stuck in the shock
stage? (How would someone who stayed in shock and could not get past this stage
act?)
How do people get stuck in the shock stage?
How do people successfully move past the shock
stage?
Venting – Once shock is over
and reality sets in some venting and complaining may often follow. This may
feel good at first but after a while can become very counterproductive
What are some things you wanted to vent about
with this situation?
What happens when people get stuck in the
venting stage? How does that happen?
How do people successfully move past the
venting stage?
Assess – Next comes the stage
where we need to figure out what we are going to do.
What changes did you assess that you needed to
make- or still need to make, in order to successfully adapt?
Why is action needed next?
Action – Assessment is not useful
if we don’t do something with it by making decisions and taking action.
.
What is it like when people fail to act when
change is happening?
What actions have you taken or still need to
take to keep successfully adapting, thriving and/or surviving in spite of what
is going on?
People
who take well thought out action are the ones who adapt – others who get stuck may collapse
Ending with what is
positive – Discuss the following as a group:
Even
when bad things happen, people can sometimes* experience what is called posttraumatic
growth. A simple way to think about posttraumatic growth is to think
about ways that your personality and lifestyle has changed for the better in
spite of all the bad that happened.
*Unfortunately,
posttraumatic growth is not a guarantee and does not always happen, but it is
far more likely to be experienced by people who adapt to try to make the best
out of bad situations and attempt to stay as positive as they can in spite of
any loss or pain they may have experienced
Have
you experienced any of the following aspects of growth from this experience,
and if so how?
Improved
existing relationships (especially with those close to you and who may have
shared the experience with you, like family and friends)
Rebuilt
old relationships – People from the past or who you were not as close with, who
came through and connected with you or helped you during this time (Distant
family or old friends who you reconnected with)
New
connections and relationships – Forming new connections with resources, ideas, opportunities,
or people who you can keep in your life even after the situation is over
Lessons
learned that can be used again in the future (What to do, what not to do, what
works and what doesn’t)
New
positive habits and routines (Things that you started doing during the
situation that are good for you that you may choose to continue doing in your
life)
An
increased feeling of inner strength and resilience (The ability to bounce back
in the face of adversity)
An
increased sense of gratitude
No comments:
Post a Comment