We are in a collective grief process. The old normal passed away. We are not getting it back, at least not anytime soon.
And so, the destabilization we are feeling right now is two-fold. First, the destabilization that we feel is from the flooding of the zone, which is by design, and part of a playbook we knew was coming. They told us. But what we did not expect is the destabilization that comes with grief.
Grief does not only show up as sadness. Grief shows up as anger, anxiety, panic, fear, numbness, apathy, general feelings of destabilization and of course sadness, too.
We are in a collective grief process.
The old way of being is no longer here. The world is fundamentally changed right now. Our bodies know this. My body is grieving the loss of the old normal. Those of us who experienced relative stability and privilege in the old normal may feel we are suddenly thrust into an awakened sense of vulnerability—this represents a huge loss of stability—this is a huge loss, period.
We do not need to like this process, but if we can give ourselves space to grieve, we allow our bodies to re-form into a new normal. By doing so, we will have more energy and resolve for the communities and the work we are called to during this time.
Grieving is part of our resistance. Grieving is our action right now. If we can give ourselves space to grieve during this time, our strength will return. Our creativity will return.
Flooding the zone during a grief process is by design meant to destabilize us to the point where we are not able to function well, where we lose all hope. When we get through grief, however, we may find new hope on the other side. This is a hope we could not see or feel in the destabilizing roils, but one that is calling us to keep going. Let’s grieve. And then let’s go.
Kate Common, Ph.D., is a professor of theology.
