There’s a lot of “back to” that is “about to” go down.

Colleges & Universities will be truly “back to school” with half of the student body being “on campus” for the first time. From there, many schools and some workplaces are coming “back to” totally new environments. Think of all the people coming back together in new and uncertain ways.

And with this comes a whole slew of emotions. Let me take a guess what’s been running through your head:

“Am I the only one that feels like this?

Is anyone else having these anxieties and fears that won’t go away?”

I can reassure you; you are not alone.

Each person reading this, every person you interact with—well, basically everyone walking on this globe today—is dealing with an uncertain life. Just when we seem to be turning the corner, something else comes around the other side.

While we can’t control everything happening, we can control how we react and get through these times together. Because no one should be dealing with this alone.

Here are five tips to help you navigate the “back to” days:

1. Don’t fake it!
Everyone you know has a problem that you don’t know about—just like you. So, try using vulnerability as an opening for conversation: “Hey, my life is pretty messed up right now. How about you?”

2. Recognize the “Awkward Zone.”
This is the place where you don’t know what to say and do to support your friend, co-worker or classmate. We all go to this zone, but it shouldn’t stop us from caring. When you know without a doubt that any caring action you give to another will be appreciated (and it will), you can find the courage to break through your Awkward Zone and meaningfully connect.

3. Grab the opportunity.
If you want a magic formula on how to make and keep friends, here it is: Care for them. It can be tempting to pretend that nothing has happened with those around you, but this only alienates us further. Something has happened to everyone! Find out what and then care.

4. Fight the fight together.
Operate under the assumption that no one is feeling their best and establish yourself as someone people can talk to if they are struggling. Schools and workplaces operate better, and employee retention and productivity increase dramatically, when people feel heard and cared for.

5. There is no “going back to normal.”
Don’t even try. Please. The sheer number of changes people are enduring makes it impossible to operate the same organization you once did. Many people have experienced losses that will always be with them, and even more are likely still feeling anxiety, stress, or fear that may stick with them for a long time. Be flexible and find a new normal to forge together.

Think of caring and comfort like a boomerang. This evidence-based resilient skill will give back to you whatever you give to others. You too will come to realize that “others-care” is actually the very best form “self-care” there is.

Comfort On!

Jen

Jen Marr is Founder and CEO of Inspiring Comfort LLC and Author of the book Paws to Comfort. To learn more about how you can bring Comfort Skills Programming to your organization, visit www.inspiringcomfort.com or email Jen at jen@inspiringcomfort.com.

5 Tips for the "Back To" Days