As we enter the fifth month of this “new normal” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes so much sense if your teen is experiencing some major frustration, sadness, or anger.
With missed graduations, cancelled vacations, limited or no in-person time with friends and extended family, missed sports seasons, and more, it’s understandable to have big emotions right now.
Your teen may be saying things like,
“Why can’t we just go back to normal?”
“This just isn’t fair.”
“I can’t stand having to live like this anymore.”
While these feelings are so valid, it’s easy for these thinking patterns. to get overwhelming and take over the majority of your teen’s headspace and energy. It’s important and necessary to give space to these feelings, AND it’s also important and necessary to acknowledge that this is our reality for the time being.
RADICAL ACCEPTANCE DOESN’T MEAN WE’RE APPROVING OF THE SITUATION, SAYING WE LOVE IT, OR SAYING WE DON’T WANT IT TO CHANGE.
It just means that we’re accepting this situation for what it is, reminding ourselves that it can’t be changed right now, and life can still be worth living (and can even be enjoyable) despite some really crappy circumstances.
Here are a few suggestions for helping your teen practice radical acceptance during this pandemic:
Encourage them to observe that saying things like “It shouldn’t be this way” is fighting reality.
Remind them that this difficult time is our reality, and it unfortunately can’t be changed right now.
Remind them that there are reasons for having to follow new rules right now, like keeping ourselves and our community safe and healthy!
Help them find creative ways to practice acceptance with their whole self (mind, body, and spirit). This may look like mindfulness, making art, writing a song, imagery, or something else entirely.
Help them find ways of practicing opposite action to the big emotions they’re feeling right now such as FaceTiming with friends, having a virtual movie night, or making a fun family meal.
Remind them that it’s okay to be feeling grief, sadness, and disappointment right now. The goal of radical acceptance isn’t to eliminate these emotions – it’s to have them take a more appropriate place in our lives.
By practicing radical acceptance, both you and your teen can live more healthily and work to find joy and peace, despite the chaotic circumstances we’re in right now. We encourage you to give these suggestions a try and see the difference it’ll make in your and your teen’s life!