When overwhelming loss comes to us, such as a disaster or multiple losses in a short period of time, our capacity to respond can be devastated. It leaves us feeling powerless, frightened, vulnerable, and drifting about in a fog. Here are four things to keep in mind that will help you manage the daily flow of life around you.

Permission

You have been blasted by powers and forces greater than you. The effects of those forces can leave you numb, distracted, physically and -psychologically achy, and vulnerable. These are natural displays of catastrophic loss and destruction.

Giving yourself permission to acknowledge and experience this is important. Doing so gives these natural displays their due within you. It provides you with a release of energy. You are not fighting with them to keep them at bay. In turn, you will have that saved energy once they have passed. It’s a powerful way to address these experiences.

Power

Our natural sense of power and control is assaulted -by disasters. We are confronted with the limits of our control. This leaves us feeling very vulnerable. Often there are medical, legal and insurance provisions still to be figured out as their impact is yet to be decided.

Seek your power with new understanding in the context of what is possible. This is claiming the power you have. Sign up with the organizations there to help. Prepare your claims. Get in line, so to speak, in preparation for those decisions. This is a reclamation of your power. It restores your sense of agency through your actions. It combats the helplessness that comes with overwhelming loss.

Patience

Getting back to “normal” is not something that you will do quickly. There is simply too much to do, too much to process. The emotional stress, physical depletion, and the spiritual sense of weariness you are bearing takes time to manage.

Don’t jump too quickly to normalcy. Let it develop. Allow yourself to grow with it. To force a sense of normalcy is to enter into conflict with what is happening. It can set you up for a deeper struggle. You will need your energy for the important work of finding your footing and navigating your days.

People

Seeking the support you need is crucial to moving forward. There is a variety of current needs. We have seen the outpouring of the community to meet immediate needs. Few of us have trouble asking for this support. Make use of and seek out those avenues and outlets.

Remember to seek out support for the long-term as well. Personal strength is exercised when you ask for support for the wholeness of yourself. Aid for the emotional and cognitive parts of yourself will buttress and boost you.