Emotions in a time of Coronavirus.

Posted on by fabsharford

Well, sh*t seems to be getting real out there.

There’s nothing like slowing down to make you aware of all the feelings.   Many of us can feel them creeping up: a sense of grief for past losses, anxiety, loneliness, disappointment with areas of your life.  Maybe you’re feeling feelings sourced in this situation, and/or maybe this situation is revealing feelings you already had; all the feelings you’ve been trying to outrun

Here are few things to keep in mind as you navigate emotions in a time of Coronavirus:

Spot the Symptoms 

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Singleness in a time of Coronavirus

Posted on by fabsharford

My feed was full today: full of exhortations to cling tight to family. To gather with your loved ones and worship together. To spend time with the people that life and work might have distracted you from. That this might be a glorious opportunity to remember the things that matter most as you hug your kids and spouse a little closer.

Social distancing has its limits after all. Everyone knows that. No one will let it shove its way between you and your kids, you and your spouse.  Instead, it seems – many are reflecting on the way social isolation is pushing people closer to the people they prioritize. The people they view as most essential.

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Some words on women.

Posted on by fabsharford

Someone asked me a few weeks ago – why do you always caveat your views, Fabs? Why do you talk like you’re scared that if we disagree we’re going to walk away from you?

Uh. Welp. Huh.  It’s complicated.

After the #MeToo movement first began, I posted a few things about how I think the Church can get better at supporting women. I intentionally steered clear of specific theological doctrines, because I wanted to talk about the things I was sure we all agree on: if women aren’t feeling valued in our cultures, let’s check ’em. Cause we say they are valued, right? And we know women did feel valued in Jesus’ culture.

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International Women’s Day

Posted on by fabsharford

Happy International Women’s Day.

My master’s thesis was titled “A Systematic Review on the Impact of Cultural Contexts on Emotional Regulation in the United States.”

Lots of words.

Basically I pulled together every single peer-reviewed study to find any patterns in the ways the contexts we are a part of shape our emotional health.

The conclusion: it’s complicated. There’s no way to isolate a single cultural context enough to assess how it’s impacted you because none of us are only part of one culture.

It’s the combination of cultures we’re a part of that impacts our emotional health.

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Where we belong.

Posted on by fabsharford

We’re still in the early stages of this #rebuilding project, but already – as I learn to use my voice again –  I am learning it isn’t fear that has controlled me. It’s the desire to belong.

I called it fear, but fear was just the symptom. Fear is a pretty normal reaction when you know the choice ahead of you seems impossible: be you or belong.

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