As Victoria endures a ‘second wave’ of Covid-19 infections and fears grow of community transmission elsewhere, grey nomads are living in a very uncertain world.
One moment, borders were being opened and travellers were encouraged to explore regional areas and, in the next, some borders were closing again and vehicles with interstate number plates were reputedly being viewed with suspicion.
With things changing so unpredictably, life on the road can seem like one giant question mark. Should you travel at all? Are you being selfish for even thinking about it, or are you doing the right thing by wanting to help struggling rural communities? What happens if there is a virus outbreak at one of your destinations? How long will all this last?
Unfortunately, humans are not generally very good at coping with not knowing what’s coming next. Clinical psychologist Kevin Antshel says we are socialised from childhood to believe that ‘there’s a predictable universe’ and order in which things should happen. He says that, under normal circumstances, people are able to assemble the resources to concoct a plan … and it’s not good for us when we can’t.
“Extraordinarily high levels of uncertainty are really against how we’ve advanced as human beings,” he said. “When things don’t make sense, or they run counter to what it typically is, then we experience these high levels of negative feelings.”
According to American academic Bryan Robinson, the key to navigating uncertainty is to remain level-headed, and to avoid stressing yourself out.
“In some cases, panic due to the drastic changes and the unknown are travelling faster than the coronavirus itself,” he said. “Waiting for certainty can feel like torture by a million tiny cuts.”
Indeed, sometimes the brain prefers to know an outcome one way or another rather than living with the agony of uncertainty. Chronic worrying then can’t give you more control over uncontrollable events; it just robs you of enjoyment in the present, and gives you needless sleepless nights.
Experts say there are healthier ways to cope with uncertainty — and that begins with adjusting your mindset. This should involve:
• Focussing on controlling what you can control
• Challenging your need for certainty.
• Learning to tolerate the inevitable uncertainty of life.
• Reducing your stress levels.
One of the surest ways to avoid worrying about the future is to focus on the present. Instead of trying to predict what might happen, switch your attention to what’s happening right now.
“Engage in things that are goal oriented, but are not necessarily goal-directed for the future,” said Kevin Antshel. For grey nomads that can mean getting stuck into a project or familiar hobby that offers a sense of accomplishment and an outcome of certainty.
We were due to start our three year trip around Aussie until Covid hit. After staying at home we have now set out to discover all of our home state of Qlds hidden gems. We have made no big plans as we like everybody else wait to see what happens with our borders.
I am very disappointed that Pauline Hanson has stated she will oppose a covid vaccination. She said she was opposing the vaccination because of freedom of choice. Who the hell does she think she is.
I used to think Pauline had Australia’s interests at heart but seems she hasn’t. If too many people say no to a vaccine when it is available then we will certainly be living in an uncertain country. Very scary.
If you choose to have the vaccination then that’s fine, I am against anyone to have it forced upon them as was Pauline.
If you refuse vaccination then go into indefinite quarantine AND PAY FOR IT YOURSELF
Some people are just selfish and only think of themselves.
Why do I need to quarantine when I am staying home in regional Qld which has no covid-19 infections?
Who is more selfish, the one who won’t submit to an untried vaccination, or the one who tries to force that untried vaccine on other people.
As a resident of the Peoples Republic of Victoria my plans for the big lap are on hold. I was in real funk over it and all the endless trip planning came to nothing. I am lucky to own my own home so we have refocused our efforts onto other things. We have planted a vege patch and bought chickens. Repainting the house and redoing cabinets have been a great distraction. My disappointment has faded and I am now content to stay home and wait the pandemic out. The risks on the road are too great and I am not sure I want to visit states that think so poorly of us Victorians for the sin of failed hotel quarantine.
It is not the sin of failed quarantine but the lack of care so many have shown by the lying and trying to sneak across borders with no regard to the health of others .
Philip, what are you going to do with chickens once the borders open, I suppose that you have a ready source of organic chicken to freeze for future consumption.
I believe that given the disgusting attitude displayed by South Australia and Queensland to Victorians we should consider Boycotting them. How dare they jail us yet let Asian students arrive? We should spend our money in our State as its clear we are not wanted.
Your choice