Maintaining Consistency in the Midst of Crisis
- Imani Wilkins
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Can I be real for a second? If you’re like me, you value being able to research, acquire, and disseminate relevant information and insights to the people that you want to impact. I typically aim to reach marginalized communities with services and solutions to help them toward continuous improvement.
But what happens when things are changing so frequently and so fast that it’s difficult to determine what’s relevant, what’s necessary, what’s empathetic, but also empowering?
For me, I have to pause and regulate.
Why?
Because it’s important for me to contribute relevant insight that can be used in the building process of a business or team, and I can't ensure quality information if I can't get quiet and clear.
Harvard Health defines self-regulation in this way: “Self-regulation is the act of controlling your behaviors, thoughts, emotions, choices, and impulses. Self-regulation skills help you keep negative emotions in check and think before you react.”
So if you’re like me and you're refining, improving, and regulating to maintain consistency, here are a few ways that I've been learning how to manage my emotions while building and navigating constant change:
Accept how you feel
You can't regulate something you don’t acknowledge. So first, acknowledge and accept that in times of crisis, it is perfectly normal to be uncertain, concerned, and to need time to figure it out.
Prioritize your health
It's important for you to show up and remain impactful. It's also important for you to be well in all ways. So if at any point, your mental, emotional, or physical well-being is no longer stable, pivot your focus to you. Your impact won’t matter if you’re not here to make it.
Make room for modification
The truth is, leading or building in crisis is NOT EASY. So being able to lead yourself and make room for pivots is vital. When everything is the same, it's easier to maintain your routines because you have data that supports the outcome of those actions. But during this time, you may need to take 30 minutes to gather your emotions. You may have never had to do that before. That's okay. Do it and keep going.
Seek Help or Support
The Centers for Disease Control has gathered data on the state of mental health amongst Americans as of 2025. “1 in 3 teenagers have reported not having good mental health, and 1 in 5 adults have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder.” The entire world is currently navigating different variables that they didn't expect. You're not alone; it's okay to be frustrated and to adjust by creating new metrics for success.
“But Imani, how does this relate to business, social impact, or leadership?”
Simple, if you don’t have a healthy mind, you can’t make healthy decisions.
Don’t ever forget, you get to be a masterpiece while mastering peace at the same time. Gather your emotions, do your best, and be okay with your best not always looking the same.
P.S.- I am not a mental health professional. Please consult with a professional to get a proper diagnosis and advice tailored to your specific mental health needs.
If you’re feeling a sense of overwhelm that's hard to manage, here are some professional mental health resources you can use to get the support you deserve:
Learn more about the information above by using the sources below:
Comentários