Getting discouraged is easy. Especially when we’re dealing with a situation like an epidemic.

You’re stuck at home, you can’t meet people, and you can’t go to the normal places where you enjoy human company. Places like bars or restaurants or concerts.

How to solve the problem?

Start by acknowledging it. Pretending you’re not discouraged is silly, pointless, and doesn’t help. Realizing you’re having a bad spell does.

Next, know that the discouragement will pass. So will this time. We’ve been in this natural funk for weeks now, and it probably has at least several more to go. But it will go away.

Find fellowship. If you’re in a family, you may be driving each other crazy from having been together as much as you have. Try to be patient with each other, and try to make this a time to strengthen the love you have with those near you.

If you live alone, you probably need some human companionship. Find what you can and what you are comfortable with. If it can’t be in person, use your phone. Don’t be shy. Others are feeling alone too.

In the meantime, it’s not necessary to keep up with every detail of this crisis. Turn off your phone or TV. Read something fun. Watch an old comedy movie. Silly stuff is not necessarily bad.

This will pass. We will get through this. Don’t lose hope.