Navigating Troubling Times In the Air and On the Ground

I really didn’t think my next post would be something like this. But then again, no one could have predicted what’s going on in the world. For the first time, it seems, we are all on the same page. We are all united in this feeling of uncertainty. Not to say that uncertainty is a good thing because, trust me, it feels far from good. Now more than ever, positivity and hope are needed. That’s something I have really been trying to do, but boy is that difficult sometimes.

For those who do not know, I’m a flight attendant for a major US airline. As you can imagine, the aviation industry looks very different right now. I’m pretty new to this whole lifestyle/career situation and was just starting to get a hold on how this works when… BOOM..coronavirus started wrecking havoc on the world. I can’t even begin to explain how insane the last 8 weeks have been. We started mildly feeling the effects in March, progressively getting worse week by week. I’m on reserve (basically means I’m on call) and have only been called TWICE in 8 weeks. I used to get called just about every single on call block I had. I picked up trips on my days off, travelled a ton and felt like I really lived in a plane. Now, the only time I get on a plane is to commute from Orlando to Boston to sit out my on call days.

With all that being said, I’ve began to feel very “out-of-service”. Although I’m an essential worker, it really doesn’t feel like it when I just sit around. I don’t feel like I’m helping anyone really. Kind of an odd place to be when you’re considered as such ya know? It breaks my heart to fly on planes – that are usually completely full – that now have MAYBE 10 people on them. We’ve cut our flying schedule down almost 90%. Instead of 160+ flights a day from BOS, there’s now only 25 (on a good day).

This is such a trying time for mental health in general – for everyone. It has started to become apparent that so many of us identify with what we do for a living or if we’re in school, etc. And now that most of us aren’t working, not physically going to school, and cooped up in our homes, we don’t feel as if we have much purpose – or where our purpose now lies. I’m sure everyone is experiencing that feeling of going “stir-crazy” and are unsure what to do with themselves. It’s given us all the time in the world to be alone with our thoughts. And shit, isn’t that scary?

I think it’s also important to note that just because we do have all of this time, it doesn’t make it a productivity contest. For God’s sake we’re in a global PANDEMIC! It’s okay to feel lost or lazy or really anything! Your feelings are so valid! I totally feel all the pressure too regarding being productive or creative or motivated. Sometimes it’s all a load of crap okay? Everyone’s version of balance is different. If you feel like you need to lay in bed all day and do absolutely nothing but scroll through your phone or watch TV, by all means homie, DO IT! But at the same time, find that inner balance where you get up and move your body and do something that makes you happy. I’ve been doing daily yoga, running, laying out in the sun when I’m home in FL, cooking yummy recipes, etc. But I also have those days where I sleep til 2pm and get up just to have some pancakes and then go back to laying in bed.

Again, its called ~balance~.

Just check in with yourself. Check in with your friends. Have a zoom happy hour with those people you wish you could physically be with. Binge watch an obscene amount of TV shows. Read a book! Just do something everyday that makes you happy and brings you joy. That’s what I’m trying to do! Everything you feel is valid. Always know that.

Until next post!

xoxo

jade