In the past, Thai family culture might have meant the warmth of being together as a whole. But as times change, cultures evolve, and lifestyles shift, many factors have led people to live apart from their families.

Then suddenly, when the virus struck, it forced family members to come back together again. For those who are used to living alone and controlling everything around them, returning to live with more than one person can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to managing relationships 24/7.

This isn't a festive season where you meet briefly and then go back to your own homes. 'Living with family' may not be as lovely as a Christmas movie poster; every household has its own conflicts. Home isn't always a safe and comforting place for everyone.

There’s only a thin line between warmth and discomfort, and it becomes even harder during a time when we 'don’t know' when this illness will end, what the future holds, and how long we will have to live together in this confined space!

How are you today? | Time to check your well-being

During a crisis, everyone feels pressure, but it varies from person to person in how they express that pressure and cope with it. For instance, a mother may seem anxious, a father may appear to panic, an older sibling may look unusually sad, or you might find yourself getting easily irritated. These feelings will inevitably affect the behaviors of everyone in the house. Being together again is a good opportunity to check in on each other's well-being. Observe the people in your home, including yourself, to see who is doing okay and who might be struggling. This way, you can quickly find ways to address any issues.

Anxiety coping | Handling discomfort

We know the virus is scary and that people are dying every day, but you can never know what each person is facing internally. During such times, fear, anxiety, and panic can naturally arise. A mother might repeat the same worries, an aunt might share every piece of news and every video, a father might watch the news all day, or wander around while you're trying to work from home.

All of this can create a sense of confusion. If we don’t understand that it stems from an abnormal situation and that they are coping with that abnormality, we might need to use more 'understanding' than usual. Try to shift from scolding or criticizing to using words that convey 'I see you, I understand you' to reassure them that you’re okay and that everything will be alright. At least, it will help them feel that, hey, the world isn’t ending!

Don’t try to control everything | You don’t have to control every little thing

The world that used to revolve around me no longer does! Nothing seems right, everything is annoying. Why can’t things be put away? Why is my mother always organizing my workspace? Why can’t I find anything? Why do I have to be called for meals during a video call? Why, why, why, etc. Just waking up can be a source of irritation. This is because you feel like you’ve lost control over your entire world. That toxic energy doesn’t help the atmosphere at home at all. You might need to relax and allow others to manage or take care of their responsibilities. If something is truly unbearable, it’s better to communicate that calmly rather than expressing irritation in harmful ways that can hurt everyone’s feelings.

Talk Session | Find time to talk

We believe many families live together every day but never really talk. I mean, talk genuinely, not just routine greetings. This is a great time to sit down and have a real conversation without feeling awkward or overly formal. For example, enjoy a cup of coffee together in the morning or while watching a movie and eating popcorn. Share your preferences openly: what you like, what you dislike, and how certain things make you feel. Or, express that you feel more comfortable doing things this way. Are you okay with that? If not, can we find a middle ground? From small matters to big ones, you might discover feelings from family members you thought you knew well but never truly understood.

Balance ‘I’ and ‘We’ | My time, Our time

When spending extended time at home with family members, one unavoidable reality is that personal space diminishes. Plus, you need to enhance your skills in conversing with others daily.

Finding relaxing activities to lighten the atmosphere at home and spending time together is great, and we don’t dispute that. However, it’s equally important to allow each person to engage in activities that bring them joy alone. Maintaining distance in relationships is essential, whether now or at any time. You don’t have to watch every movie together or eat every meal at the same time. It’s okay not to constantly create group activities.

We all need our own personal time and space, regardless of how much. It’s up to you to find the balance between being together in boredom and being together meaningfully. We advocate for the latter. Who knows, when this virus passes, it might become one of the best memories of the year for you and your family!

SOURCE: www.dooddot.com