Coping with Uncertainty…without hoarding toilet paper!

Ok guys let’s address the elephant in the room. We are in the midst of a crazy time. Even though we’re only a couple of months into 2020 it’s abundantly clear that this will be a year that will be discussed at length in history classes of the future.

Just when you think you’ve processed the latest events and settled into some acceptance of your new normal, everything changes! Another announcement from the government, a further restriction of our everyday life and, just like that, everything feels unsettled again.

In times of crisis, everyone has their own method of coping and, yes, stockpiling can be one of them.

This whole act of hoarding, particularly toilet paper, has seemed so incredibly strange. I’ve been struggling to wrap my head around the logic of it, as I’m sure you have too. So, after a bit of research, I’ve come up with somewhat of a reasonable explanation.

When life feels like it’s spinning out of your control, the one thing you truly want is to regain some control. The problem with this current crisis is, our inability to see this virus makes it feel especially uncertain. The response to this uncertainty is to prepare and, for a whole lot of people, that means stocking their house with supplies.

Toilet paper seemed a particularly bizarre item but, I think I have an explanation. Yes, people bought some toilet paper but, because it’s a bulky item, if stocks are even slightly low, it’s noticeable. People see a shelf with significantly less stock, and they share a photo. The media catches on and they share the images even further. From there, everything snowballs as people believe there is a shortage, so they run out to fill their cupboards with the item which is apparently running low. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So, rather than overfilling your pantry, I have some suggestions which are a far more productive way to cope with the current uncertainty:

Establish a routine – spending days on end at home can make you feel that they’re all blending into one. To avoid an at-home Twilight Zone, the stability and consistency of a routine will help everyone feel more grounded.

Clean and organise – with all that extra time at home, you’re certainly going to notice the things which need to be sorted, so do it! If you have the kids at home with you too, get them in on the fun and plan to focus on one room each day.

Seek out connection – it’s time to get creative here folks! Set up online conference chats with your friends, film videos and take photos to share with your family. Even though we’re all isolated, there are many ways you can connect with others.

Limit your media – and this means both social and the news! Yes, you need to stay connected however, you also need to stay sane. Ensure you’re getting your news from credible sources and limit your social media updates to once a day. Without these limits, it’s far too easy to get drawn into a rabbit hole of uncertainty.

Get outside – depending on where you live, this may mean getting up a little earlier than normal but, getting out for some fresh air is crucial at this point. While you’re out and about, try to remember that social distancing doesn’t include eye contact, a friendly smile or wave, or a cheerful greeting.

Stay rational – in times of uncertainty, it’s tempting to paint everything with the same brush. Our heads can easily slip into a cycle of convincing us that absolutely everything in our lives is insecure at this time. But it’s not! There are things we can still count on and it’s important to remind ourselves of this as much as possible. We will still wake up tomorrow, the sun will still shine, and we will still have the love of our children and family.

Then, if all of this fails, simply take the time to breathe. While it’s important to acknowledge how unsettling this all is, it’s also important to stay positive and focus on the elements of our life we have some control over.

Shannon Wood, Managing Director S8 Expert Recruitment Solutions. I have over 14 years recruitment experience specialising in the animal health industry across the ANZ region. Areas of expertise include sales and marketing, technical roles (Quality Assurance, Quality Control & Regulatory Affairs) and operational & financial positions. I work extensively in the veterinary, ruminant, monogastric, aquaculture and the pet specialty industries and I look forward to the next 14 years.