We’re living in unprecedented times.
A week ago, I was happily commuting to work every day through Whately’s beautiful farmland, enjoying the magic of spring — warming air, greening landscape, emerging birds.
Today, I write this column from my newly built apartment-office.
My wife, Brianna, is a nurse at Baystate Springfield (God bless her and all health care workers in these challenging days) and I’ve self-quarantined to prevent the coronavirus’ spread.
The implications of this isolation are far-reaching.
For example, last night, my group of friends held its monthly poker game online instead of in-person. I’ve transitioned my workout routine from the gym to a 10-by-10 space in the driveway — from powerlifting to kettlebell swings, which I’ll probably share more about later — and try to run after dark when others are at home asleep. But, despite my best efforts to stave off depression, I, like so many others I imagine, have been battling the blues lately.
I suppose it comes with the territory.
With the stock market in free fall and newly confirmed COVID-19 cases emerging daily, ever closer to home, social anxiety is at an all-time high. It’s been less than a week, but already, I find the overall feeling of helplessness to be difficult to cope with. Yes, I have plenty of hobbies that keep me occupied (I recently took up learning the banjo). What I’m struggling with is the inability to act.
Yesterday, I was all but ready to re-enlist in the Air Force (in which I served previously) so I could get out and do something — anything — to help my community in a tangible way. Brianna talked me off the ledge and wisely pointed out that, even if I can’t go outside, I can still help those around me by calling up relatives who are even more isolated than I, helping to mobilize tangible assistance to those who need it and offering encouragement to others who might be in a much darker place than I.
This is a defining moment in our generation and how we respond to it will be remembered in history books by our children and grandchildren. The way I see it, we have two choices: Either let anxiety crush us into inaction or rise to the occasion by using the tools that are at our disposal (digital or otherwise) to overcome the challenges that face us, whether they be physical or mental.
So, in that vein, I’d like to use these pages in the coming weeks to highlight those who are doing good in our community. I need your help to do so.
If you or someone you know is actively working to help their neighbors, please send me an email (acastillo@recorder.com); if you’re a personal trainer or a therapist who has ideas to share that will help people who might be struggling with changing routines, please email me; if you’re an artist leveraging your talents to encourage others, please email me; if you’re a chef or a baker who has an interesting recipe to share, email me; if you have an idea to beat the blues, email me.
The headlines right now are dire and it’s easy to get lost in the gloom. In these trying times, let’s shine positivity and encouragement to others.
Andy Castillo is features editor at the Greenfield Recorder. He can be reached at acastillo@recorder.com