The light at the end of the loadshedding tunnel

Even the most positive people are having a hard time staying optimistic in the face of weeks of loadshedding. From frustration to anxiety to acceptance and everything in between, the one thing the darkness cannot dim is the gamut of emotions it brings in its wake.

Between calculating when we can run the dishwasher, when to prepare dinner, and how to get the children bathed before lights out, planning our days now necessitates military precision. It’s no wonder we’re all in heightened states of alert and in many cases, anxiety.

“Uncertainty and a lack of control create a sense of instability and can also lead to an increase in anxiety and depression,” says counselling psychologist Lisa Hirschowitz. “There’s definitely a sense of frustration, hopelessness and helplessness, which can exacerbate pre-existing mental-health issues. While these feelings are common, if they’re having an impact your ability to function on a day-to-day basis, you should seek help to see what deeper feelings are being triggered by loadshedding.”

Even if you’re coping relatively well, you’d be forgiven for feeling out of sorts. “The human mind thrives on and needs predictable situations,” says clinical psychologist Amanda Fortes. Though we may know when to expect loadshedding – if we’re able to make sense of the ever-changing schedules and stages – we don’t know when it will eventually end and when it will inevitably begin again.

It’s how we react to this lack of control that will determine how well we cope with an undeniably trying situation. “Focusing on the aspects which remain in our control, for example how we’re going to prepare for the loadshedding hours and what resources can we tap into during this time, can help us keep things in perspective,” Fortes says.

Hirschowitz elaborates. “Although it’s challenging to remain optimistic at such times, it’s important that we realise that we’re resilient and adaptive human beings. We’re constantly finding new methods of coping during loadshedding, which should be acknowledged and commended. It can also be comforting to know that we’re all experiencing this frustration together, fostering a sense of community. As South Africans, we use humour as a way to make light of unpleasant situations which is another coping mechanism.”

And though the suggestion may annoy the more cynical among us, using loadshedding to create special moments can be beneficial. “For many, loadshedding can be used as an opportunity to spend uninterrupted quality time with family and friends,” says Hirschowitz. “This shouldn’t be undermined or overlooked.”

Fulfillment coach Eve Marks, echoes this, and stresses the need to use the time to focus on self-care. “Do little things to lift your mood – dance, sing, be creative, read a book,” she suggests. “Make time to treat yourself even if it’s with an inexpensive cleansing mask or a cup of tea at sunset. Keep a gratitude journal, and write in it before you go to sleep.” There’s no consistent fix and feeling down is understandable, but such practices can be uplifting.

Yet, for business owners, the situation may also create increased pressure and financial strain, which is naturally stressful. This is the case for Nadine Hocter, the owner of corporate massage company Sheer Bliss. “The impact of COVID-19 on my business was massive, and the lack of support from the government was huge,” she says. “When we just start catching our breath again, loadshedding hits. I have had to spend money on an inverter because I need to keep my business going. It’s not just about the inconvenience of not being able to watch TV for two hours, it’s the fact that my Google adverts couldn’t run for four days because my website wasn’t operational because loadshedding caused the servers to crash. Who knows what that cost me?”

Like many, Hocter is gatvol and plans to emigrate. “As a South African, for the most part, I try not to let things get to me because I think that we can’t control it so we might as well not get upset by it,” she says. “But I think it’s important to let it out. Everybody is trying to keep up this really positive front and that’s fine, but it’s okay to be angry. I love South Africa, but the country really has failed us.”

Though we all need to choose the path that’s best for us, Michele Hirsch, who made aliya five years ago, says life is difficult everywhere. “I miss South Africa each and every day – the people, the climate, the thunderstorms in summer, the food, the best Jewish community in the world, the homes we inhabit, the feeling of familiarity, and the warm and friendly people. Even the light in Africa is magical. Look around. There’s still so much good in South Africa.”