The Ability to Cope in the Midst of Adversity

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, adversity is defined as “a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty.” In the context of COVID-19, we have a physical illness affecting a large number of lives, but even more individuals with novel mental and emotional strains that are overwhelming and difficult for most experiencing them. Though these strains can stem from different places including fear of physical illness, fear of losing economic well-being, isolation, etc., the adversity of the pandemic is a common emotional trauma among everyone. As someone who has struggled with mental illness for my entire life, the pandemic has exacerbated a deep-rooted fear that life can change in an instant. As Dr. Kyle Harper, a historian of the classical world and the Senior Vice President and Provost at the University of Oklahoma, pointed out, it takes a large amount of chance for an event like this to occur. What are the odds that a virus has mutations that allow it to transmit to humans in the exact animal that was going to be consumed by humans at that exact time? One mutation caused the world to drastically change, altering the lives of every single person. The world is vulnerable, and this generates an anxiety in me that is unmatched.

 In order to cope, many have turned to the arts to express their untoward emotions. Some have chosen to use the arts to escape from the stressors of the pandemic. They may read books, watch TV, or distract themselves in order to escape their thoughts. Others, such as myself, have used the arts to channel their emotions, shed light on them, and process them. The arts can give people a channel to express livelihood and personality in a time of isolation and gloom.

 I have been journaling extensively to reflect on my emotions and let out my frustrations when I may be afraid to speak them out loud. I write about being sad for the losses I’ve had due to this pandemic such as graduation, social contact, and even the ability to visit my family. However, I also write about finding joy and fortitude in smaller, more mundane things. For example, when I am outside running, I often find myself stopping to gaze at scenery and appreciate the moment. Journaling has been an excellent tool to help me recognize these positive emotions in the face of adversity. As Kirsten, a protagonist in the novel Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, so eloquently put it, “Survival is insufficient.” People need more to life than simply just surviving day by day. Just merely surviving through the pandemic without taking time to express and recognize the profound emotions associated with it is simply inadequate for a person’s well-being.

 The necessity of expression is a lesson I have learned with gratitude and will apply it to my future occupation as a psychiatrist. Using art as a platform for my patients to express their thoughts and emotions will allow me to further understand their mind and help them. I will be able to connect with them on much more than a scientific or professional level. Creative expression during adversity of COVID-19 has truly allowed me to recognize my own strength, and I hope to someday share the same approach with others in the face of their own adversities.