In 1999, Paula Treichler wrote How to Have Theory in an Epidemic: Cultural Chronicles of AIDS, a collection of essays on the meanings that formed around HIV and AIDS during the early years of the crisis. As all of us in the WGSS community attempt to make meaning of the longstanding and recent crises colliding around us, one thing is clear: we cannot make sense of things if we are not first grounded and solid in ourselves, our convictions, and our visions for what comes next. We want to briefly touch on two things we have found most helpful for keeping on solid ground.
1) Meditation. As the pandemic brings the global economy, work, and our mundane ways of being together to a grinding halt, our day to day has changed dramatically in a very short time, and nobody knows what the future holds. This might be stressful, disorienting, boring, anxiety-producing, scary, depressing, isolating, or maybe even exciting– most likely you’ve experienced all of these emotions and then some. Meditation helps us find solid ground by embracing the very things we often find most distressing: change and uncertainty. Sitting with yourself and observing how your thoughts, your feelings, and your physical sensations are constantly changing–sometimes from second to second–can be liberating, particularly when we are feeling distressed. Our direct experience shows us something undeniable: “I will not feel this way forever because how I feel is always changing.” Some other phrases that can be helpful when working through difficult emotions include: This belongs, This is it,, There is room in my heart for this pain, anxiety, fear, anger, etc.
At its root, meditation is about cultivating compassion for ourselves and all the beings that we are connected to. An open and compassionate heart is a fundamental ingredient of feminism.
2) Limiting news and social media. This is a tough one, not only because we were addicted to our devices before the pandemic, but because we want to feel connected now that those of us who have the financial security to do so are limiting our contact with others. Combating social isolation should be a top priority for all of us right now, but remember that the research shows that social media actually increases anxiety and depression. We shouldn’t expect much more from mainstream media outlets which hold their profit margins rather than your mental health as their primary concern, *especially* when there are multiple crises to capitalize on. If you absolutely need to consume either of these things, try to set a daily time limit, and be deliberate about when you will do your scrolling/clicking/reading/watching. Right when you wake up or before you go to bed are two times you should avoid. If these suggestions feel too rigid or difficult, try observing when you want to reach your phone to check your apps and don’t let yourself actually pick it up until the fourth time you get the urge.
If you are looking for more tips, check out this helpful guide and try the things that resonate with you. There is no single or right way to find steady ground in an epidemic. Also, check out “Mindfulness Mondays” on the WGSS instagram page every week to find a way that works for you so that we can keep theorizing, building, and dreaming together.
Written by WGSS Professor Sara Matthiesen and former WGSS MA student Sarah-Anne Gresham (’20).
GWU Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 