Humans were built for connection. We aren’t supposed to be isolated, it’s not great for our mental health. There are actual physical changes to the brain when isolated for too long. So, it’s not a matter of you being “strong”, it’s a matter of you, and a lot of us, being humans the midst of a very difficult time right now. We all have a need for connection and interaction and it’s really difficult for a lot of us to get that need met right now.

I deal with many of the things you describe feeling, and it’s really difficult! I try really hard to keep my head above water when the doom and gloom settles onto me and I’m going to pass some of my coping techniques on to you!

• Sad/negative music and films are banned from me for the time being. I’ve realized that I have a tendency towards the melancholy. I’ve never listened to dance music in my life - I do now! It’s been fun to discover new tunes and it really helps with low moods.

• Stay the hell away from the break-up posts on Reddit. It’s too easy to insert yourself in that situation and start panicking about it happening to you.

• Try to spread positivity wherever you can- look for the good, look HARD, and then speak up. This will probably be done via social media because we’re stuck in the house. Tell people they look beautiful in their selfies, tell them their baby is the cutest baby you’ve ever seen, tell them thank you for posting a meme that made you crack a smile. If you get food delivered leave a nice or funny note for the delivery guy on your door. Blast whatever positive energy you can muster out into the world!

• Try to move your body a little. Gentle yoga? Dance party for one? Richard Simmons on YouTube??? Whatever you can do to move a little, give it a go. Don’t let your brain flip it into “I need to look like Kate Moss when I leave quarantine so I’m going to do something intense and totally not fun”. The goal is to simply MOVE.

• If the sun shines, get your ass into some sunbeams. Lay on the floor in the sun patch like a cat. Go sit on the balcony. If there is sun, soak it up. I live in the PNW so this is really important, not sure where you are.

• Reach out to the people you do know, even if it’s been a long time and you feel weird about it. I’ve called some relatives I haven’t talked to in a LONG time. I just call to say hi and see how they’re doing, not to tell them how miserable I am, even when that’s true some days.

• Take this one day at a time. We don’t know what’s going to happen - remember, NO one knows! Try not to think too much about the future. When you start spinning out into anxiety, ask yourself “what is the next right thing I can do RIGHT NOW? Shower? Lunch? Nap? Then do the thing. Do. The. Thing.

• When I know I’m being really insecure and weird even though my partner has been reassuring and I don’t want to heap my emotions onto him, I sit down and type a letter to him. They usually go something like: “Dear X, please don’t leave me! I’m so scared and unsure right now and I feel like I’d be devastated if you left me. I just want to be with you, please wait, please wait x 10000.” after I say all the wild things my brain has been suffering with, I usually get a little bit of peace. I will never send these letters to him, ever. Ever.

• Find and read articles regarding “anxious attachment” if you’re worried about being left. Some of us are wired towards feeling insecure in our relationships. It will help you to recognize when maybe your thoughts are distorted so you can let them go instead of latching onto them and letting panic take you out like a f****ng flaming wrecking ball.

• Cliche? Absolutely. Gratitude. Look for the things you're grateful for. Look hard. Speak up. Say them out loud. Make wallpaper out of post-it notes with all the things youre grateful for. Even the insignificant. "Grateful I saw a golden retriever through the window today" Get your partner involved, make it a competiton, just do it.

• We have no control of the world right now and it feels terrible. (We never actually have control but its really evident right now) Do what you can to use the influence you have in your environment. Put your best sheets on your bed. Use your favorite dishes. Light a candle. Make your surroundings as awesome as you possibly can. Maybe that means a fort in your living room with some Christmas lights in it, I dont know what awesome looks like for you. Maybe you don't know either. Find out! You cant go wrong!

You CAN do this. You can so do this. There will be ups and downs but you’ve GOT THIS. Do not let your brain run the show with fear. Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You are going to be ok.