Embracing Our New Normal

Hope and Resilience versus Safetyism

-Darrell Jones

Recently, I was introduced to a new concept called “safetyism.” Safety is thought to bring goodness and health, but in an extreme form, becomes safetyism. Safetyism is a belief system in which safety has become a sacred value, which means that people become unwilling to make trade-offs demanded by other practical and moral concerns. Safetyism therefore, is the antithesis of health, it causes fear and worse, defeat. 

Those exhibiting this belief, feel the world is so unsafe that the only recourse is to take extreme measures. People need self-defining activities for self-esteem and value, such as attending social functions, exercise, gardening, going to parks, having lunch with a friend, shopping at the mall, for example.

So, one may ask what does resiliency look like in the face of this new stressor, COVID-19? First, its essential to use good critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is the analysis of an issue or situation and the facts, data or evidence related to it. 

Secondly, be cautious of what information you are subjecting yourself too. We live in a day of information from many sources. Consequently, pieces of information from multiple sources without clarity may cause anxiety, since it may feel as though one is caught in a maze of events that are difficult to fit together. In other words, rely upon sources that are considered experts. Reliable sources would be considered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization, https://www.who.int or more locally, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control https://www.scdhec.gov. 

Thirdly, don’t avoid the stressor (COVID-19) or worse isolate yourself. Being resilient means dealing with a crisis or stressor in an emotionally and physically healthy way, its manifesting an effective coping style. Pursue what the American Psychological Association (APA) would indicate what resilience means: adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. 

Fourth, live in the moment. Choose to live in today and focus your energy on what you can accomplish with any new limitations you might be experiencing. 

It’s true our new reality caused by COVID-19 may have limitations.  Being resilient though means facing head on whatever life may throw at you and using critical thinking, the wisdom of information from the experts, staying socially active and living in the moment. You have the ability to choose wellness and life, therefore choose resilience, not safetyism. 

BIO: Darrell Jones, LISW-CP, MPH, BCD is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, with 17+ years of clinical experience. Mr. Jones also has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. He’s served in multiple positions of responsibility within the Department of Defense in the US Army, initially as a Combat Medic and later a Behavioral Health officer with the US Public Health Service during his 24 years of active duty experience. He currently provides behavioral health therapy at Season 4 Change, LLC, a ministry of Midland Valley Community Church of the Nazarene in Graniteville, South Carolina.