Cutting Out

When cowboys work cattle, they sometimes bring members of the herd into a pen so they can manage them more efficiently. For example, they will herd the calves into a pen for branding, inoculations, tagging, etc.

Separating a calf from the herd is tricky business. The calf fears more than anything being separated and will do anything to avoid separation. It is a real test of horse, cowboy, and calf to keep a cut calf from rejoining its calf community.

The term for this drive is, herd instinct. Everything an individual requires is within the herd. Everything an individual fears is outside the herd.

We humans are a herd animal. There is the odd, lone wolf character, but as a species we stick together.

But right now, our herd is separated. We are quarantined from each other. Suspicion is high. You could be an asymptomatic carrier of Corona.

Social distancing is a form of separation. It’s stressful. Anxious. Tense. Short fuses abound.

I’m writing to identify what you might not have a name for: Separation anxiety. It’s not wrong. It’s part of how you are designed.

Name it. Once named, you have a fighting chance of managing it.