I’ve been faced in recent weeks with deciding which meta-stable states to hang out in as the lockdown here in France has been progressively lifted.
Between the two extremes of social isolation and joining in the summer festivities – and I have people in my network pulling me in both directions – are a myriad of possible balanced approaches.
To help clear my mental fog before taking a decision on how to act – whether that be voicing my discomfort in a group at the lack of physical distancing, wearing a mask when noone else is, or visiting older family and friends – I’m asking myself these questions:
What are the facts?
What stories have I been listening to, what emotions have they surfaced, and how might these affect my risk perception in this moment?
What other blind spots do I need to consider, especially the power of social norms?
What is the risk of not acting to myself and others? What is the benefit?
What is the risk of acting to myself and others? What is the benefit?
What is the level of risk that I’m currently willing to accept, knowing that there is no zero risk?
What is my inner compass telling me to do?
Am I ready to let go of the outcome?
What questions are helping you navigate through risk and uncertainty?