The post-lockdown letdown – why freedom may still come with a mental cost

“People I saw were just flat, sad and had no energy to even be angry about it,” she says.

“People want to take advantage of the freedom in case it is short lived, but they just may be too burnt out to do so.”

But with some tips from Cameron and fellow Melbourne psychologist Sabina Read, I’ve been able to dial down the impulse to socialise at breakneck pace and give myself some space to readjust to this latest new normal. Here’s how.

1. Don’t link the lockdowns

Cameron recommends her clients try to mentally separate each lockdown into separate experiences, to avoid catastrophising about what might happen this time or in future.

“It is important for us all to see the changes since last year, to see that the numbers of cases each lockdown is reducing, to identify how fast contact tracing is occurring and the speed that restrictions do ease,” she says.

“By taking note of the differences, you will not be triggered as much by the past and assumptions of what may happen can reduce.“

2. Stop saying “should”

Just because you’re allowed to roam the state doesn’t mean you actually have to – Read urges us to be authentic about what we truly want to spend our time on post-lockdown.

And if that’s not frantically socialising, then that’s OK.

“The word ‘should’ is my greatest swear word,” she says. “We are already setting ourselves up for some kind of misery or failure, when we become so wedded to the way things should be.”

Read says many of us are still working out what we want our lives to look like, and there can be value in contemplating the positives some of us have discovered in the restrictions, such as enjoying a slower pace or having more autonomy.

“We’re recalibrating to a new set of needs and a new set of desires,” she says.

“It’s a time to ask yourself, ‘What do I need? What do I desire? What do I choose? What do I prioritise?’”

3. Make exciting plans for the future

Whether it’s a road trip or a night at the ballet, Cameron urges us to keep planning special experiences and roll with the punches if we end up needing to re-schedule.

“It’s so important to have excitement to look forward to,” Cameron says. “Have flexibility with your plans and if they have to change, validate the frustrations and emotions associated with this and book it for another time.”

4. Take baby social steps

As tempting as it can be to quickly fill up any calendar gaps, Cameron suggests slowly dipping our toe back into the social game if we’re feeling frazzled.

“If you do head out too soon, you may end up experiencing burnout or even breaking down right there in the restaurant,” she says.

“Take your time, get your headspace in order, regain your energy and then hit the town with your friends.”

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