Dealing with Negative Environments: Home Edition

      They say home is where the heart is, but for some people home is not a place where they want to be at.

     During this time when we are being ordered to stay home, it's hard for people who don't want to be “home”. It can be hectic, a negative environment, it can be loud, or boring. Not everyone is having a good time right now. Not only do we have to worry about a pandemic but there are people who are being enclosed with family members who create a negative environment for them. It could be an abusive situation or a situation where a person's mental health is not taken seriously. Somewhere a person is being ignored because they are the “black sheep” of their family. Some people enjoy being home and spending this time with their family because they couldn’t before due to work or other circumstances. This has given them an opportunity to spend time with their loved ones in the way that they wouldn't have before. How do you reconcile being in a place where you don't feel comfortable or safe? How do you reconcile being in a place where you do feel comfortable and safe but it's boring and starting to stress you out?

      Let's start with the first scenario. There are hotlines for people to call if they are in an abusive situation or they need help. Reaching out to other family members who may be able to give support is an option. An online community that you trust is an option. It's not fair to feel trapped in the place where you're supposed to be safe. There is someone you can call whether it's a crisis hotline or a close friend. Find time by yourself when they're asleep or when they're busy and you can have some alone time. Remember you are strong and there is an out. I have never been in abusive situation, but I know there's so many resources to help people. You don't deserve to be treated in a negative fashion.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Mental Health Association: 1-800-969-6642

       For the second scenario. Try new things that you never had before with your family members. I know you probably heard this a million times. There are way too many things to do in life for you to run out of ideas. Every day one person in your family can decide what you guys are going to do. There must be experiences and ideas that you all have talked about and never done. Hopefully these are things that you can do inside the house and not outside!!

        Here are some ideas:

-Try new recipes for meals
-Hold dance contests
-Read books that had been on your list
-Buy a bunch of board games  
-Talk
-Create comic books
-Paint with your kids,
-Learn how to sew.
-Clean your garage.
 -Save money.
-Create a Youtube or Tik Tok account.
-Learn how to write poetry.
-Learn how to use editing software.
-Start a new exercise program.
-And so much more!                                 

*Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash.