Autonomy

 

Autonomy. We take it for granted. The capacity to decide for oneself. To choose. To guide our lives in the direction we want to go. To take care of ourselves. To make food. Go to sleep. Seemingly simple decisions that can be lost. Lost in confusion, overwhelm, an overload of the regular function of a human being. Those everyday decisions we make, that we don't even think of, because they're normal, natural, habit. Until, there are moments when that capacity goes away, is missing. And we depend on others to support, to help make those decisions, to guide, clarify, simplify, decide. And yet, we have made those decisions our whole life, we have taken care of ourselves. Until it changes. What has changed -- that this goes missing in these moments? Aging, dementia, isolation. Exacerbated by a pandemic that disconnects social bonds, removes us from the network, so we stay safe. And yet we are left with a different kind of risk, a loss of autonomy, of self care, and wellbeing. The game becomes how to safely stay connected, despite the circumstances, to support and invite decisions, to really listen, to profoundly get people, so they are so heard, that clarity rises to the surface, stress dissipates, and a calm, grounding occurs, surrounded by family and community. Which reminds us how humans are designed to live.