When It Rains, It Pours

by clio gourevitch

I first heard the expression “when it rains, it pours,” pretty recently. This expression stood out amidst the constant stream of phrases and one-liners because of how true it felt to me. It represents a building up of terrible things, a building up of stress, a building up of exhaustion. 

Whatever the issues, it represents them piling on top of each other, creating a tower of pain on one’s back. During this pandemic, you can’t avoid the rain, yet for many, it’s pouring. 

While the entire world is probably far more stressed than just a few months ago, we need to be aware of those for whom this is especially heavy. Many people are struggling financially, their businesses shutting down. Many are experiencing loneliness, living alone and not being able to come in contact with others. Due to this loneliness, many are experiencing depression or heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Along with these, many are experiencing loss. We need to become more aware of this, more aware of the weight of the burden on others’ backs. We need to be there for the people for whom it’s pouring. 

If you know someone who is experiencing any of these issues, you should try to help them get through it, but especially be there for those experiencing the unexpected loss that results from some cases of COVID-19. Most of us have experienced loss. It always is terrible, always scary, always deeply sad. Yet now we have a new category of loss—an unexpected, fast-moving horror which nobody can prepare for. This is why it’s even more important now than ever to be there for them. 

Ways to help someone who is grieving:

• Talk to them. Talking about what happened, and what they are feeling can help relieve the tension. It can help them fully process what happened, without it hitting them too hard.
• Comfort them. You can make them a playlist of comforting music, you can suggest activities that you find calming, etc. Whatever you find helpful in a time of stress, suggest to them—they may find it enjoyable and helpful as well.
• Simply make sure you are there for them. Whatever they need, try to be helpful, aware, and present. Being a kind person and a good friend during someone’s time of need can be far more helpful than you may think. 

This time is stressful for everyone, but we must remember those for whom it is pouring. It is raining for everyone now, so let’s help people find their umbrellas.

Clio Gourevitch, BHSEC Queens
​Editor-in-Chief

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