By now, we have all heard it many times: “We’re all in this together.” And here’s what we all know: the COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed or upended nearly every aspect of life as we knew it before 2020. Now, more than two years into this pandemic-altered way of life, we’re all COVID-weary—tired of masking, testing, social distancing, and the never-ending stream of COVID-related news reports. With all of this in mind, I asked the Forsyth Magazines team to respond to this question:

What has been your biggest struggle during COVID and what’s your best tip for others dealing with the same issue?

Here’s what they had to say about their biggest struggles:

From the beginning, my biggest struggle has been the unknown…not knowing when it will all level out, and we can go back to normal. If there was a light at the end of the tunnel to count on, it would make it all a lot easier. I’ve just been holding on to the fact that my family is healthy and the mortality rate is very low. We do what we can to protect ourselves, but we try to live as normally as we can so that it doesn’t affect anyone long term. Don’t want my children to be afraid to have fun!

—Meghan E.W. Corbett, senior staff writer & assistant editor, Forsyth Woman

My biggest struggle during COVID has been worrying and wondering if I’m doing enough to keep my family safe.

—Karen Cooper, writer

My biggest struggle, early on especially, was the social distancing. I’m a natural “hugger” by nature and not being able to see and be with folks was really hard. Now it’s just COVID exhaustion!

—Robin Bralley, Forsyth Family publisher

Biggest struggle—wanting to have more in-person events and keep it safe.

—Jodie Brim, photographer

The biggest struggle for me was navigating the many different opinions, theories, and stances that my family and dearest friends had about quarantine, mask mandates, and vaccinations.  I learned the hard way not to assume that anyone shares my feelings and to keep my mouth shut and avoid debates about all the various nuances of the pandemic. I want to stress that I am grateful that this was my struggle rather than health issues, loss of a loved one or unemployment!

—Tabatha Renegar, writer

I would say my biggest struggle during COVID is finding trustworthy sources for information and health recommendations.

—Michelle Hyatt, social media director

My biggest struggle was having a grown son who lives in New York. I missed seeing him for a year and a half, which was hard! But it helped as a reminder that everyone saw the pandemic differently, and yes, it was hard to see some people take it so lightly, while I knew he was seeing it at its worst, especially in the beginning.

—Martie Emory, writer

Biggest struggle—letting the isolation get to me.  Phones, Facebook, and Zoom calls are great, but nothing replaces sitting with a friend for a conversation.

—Vonda Henderson, editorial director and writer

My biggest fear about COVID is passing it to the elderly.

—Shonda Bravinder, executive assistant and events manager

Collectively, the team offers five suggestions for coping with COVID:

* Take time researching your information sources to make sure they are accredited and knowledgeable in their guidance, and that their intentions are pure and free of ulterior motives.

*Get vaccinated and continue to wear your mask, wash your hands often, and limit close contact. But don’t ignore the elderly. They need attention more than ever right now.

* For in-person events, require negative COVID PCR tests and/or masks.

* Do your best to take precautions and try not to obsess over everything. Your mental health is important, too!

* Keela Johnson, publisher’s assistant, passed along an Instagram post that contains perhaps the best advice of all. The poster, “glennondoyle,”was responding to singer Adele’s tearful public announcement that her Las Vegas show would be postponed due to COVID complications. The poster’s message to Adele said, in part, “COVID is killing us mentally because no one is showing us how to adjust our expectations of ourselves and others. We are…trying to make things work like they worked in the old world and we can’t do it. …No one is brave enough to say, ‘No, this cannot be done right now.’ …But you did…You are a beautiful leader even when you don’t know you are leading.” Then, gently drawing upon the singer’s own hit song lyrics, she told Adele, “Go easy on you.”

This is such good advice for us too. Go easy on yourself —and on others— as we all continue to navigate the uncertainties of COVID as best we can.