Swagger Survival Tips for Keepin’ it Real During Self-Isolation

You know I’m all about keeping it real. And this situation is gonna call for it big time. So here’s some Swagger Survival Tips for staying true to who you are and accepting others’ realness during this crazyass isolation situation…

1. Don’t judge how others cope. For me, it’s wine, snacks and cleaning (which gives me a false sense of control). My hubby prefers cocooning. My little one wants to cuddle and my elder likes binge watching and complaining. As you can see, these things will likely clash. But all of our methods are equally valid because they are OURS. Live and let live, even if it pisses you off.

2. Ask what others need. If you’re cohabitating, there’s going to be a lot of jostling for space (mental and physical). So instead of just grinning and bearing, ask what the other person needs and give it to them as they should do for you. “I need company to eat dinner” or “I need alone time on the couch” or “I need someone to get drunk with”. It’s all good.

3. Develop a “Pissed Off Plan”. We’re all gonna lose our shit on each other at some point. So have a plan for how to de-escalate quickly, let it go, and hit a reset button. I had this discussion with the family today. Our plan is to let the other person yell and do everything we can to not yell back. The yeller must then apologize IMMEDIATELY after the yell with no caveats. So vent and repent. Repeat. Let’s see if it works.

4. Don’t pretend you’re OK. None of us are OK. How can we be? This situation is totally fucked. So say how you feel – in person, on the phone, on social media – wherever. Anyone who says they’re good to go is probably just trying to look brave. They might need love and support the most.

5. Say “I love you” A LOT. To anyone and everyone, everywhere. Because that’s the realest thing you can do.

Hope this helps in a teeny tiny way.

Swagger on!

Leslie Ehm is a performance and leadership expert, speaker, author and Chief Fire Starter at Combustion Training. Her book ‘Swagger — How to Lose the Front, Find Your Power, and Be the Badass You Didn’t Know You Already Were’ arrives Spring 2021.