If you’ve ever seen the movie Groundhog Day, you’ve probably thought of it lately. In the movie, Bill Murray’s character (Phil) is doomed to repeat the same day over and over. As many of us are in some form of social distancing, we may feel we’re reliving the same day each time we wake up and go… nowhere.

In the movie, screenwriter Danny Rubin supposedly used Elizabeth Kübler-Ross’ 5 Stages of Grief as an outline for how the main character responds to this infinite loop (spoiler warning).

1. Denial
Phil initially doesn’t believe he’s reliving the exact same day.

2. Anger
Phil lashes out at other characters, taking his frustration out on them. This is highlighted as he punches another character Ned in the face.

3. Bargaining
Phil realizes there are some advantages to knowing what is recurring each day. He eats anything he wants. He even sleeps with (almost) whoever he wants.

4. Depression
Phil eventually recognizes everything he’s doing is pointless since everything “resets” the next morning. The drudgery wears him down and he decides the only way out is suicide. This is a dark part of this comedy. His multiple attempts all fail, resulting in him waking up the same way as the day restarts like a video game.

5. Acceptance
Near the end of the film, Phil makes peace with the situation. He learns some new skills. He notices ways he can help others (saving the life of someone who was choking to death). He tries to make each day better, not for himself, but for everyone.

As we live through our own version of Groundhog Day, we can learn a few things from these stages played out in the movie.

• It’s perfectly normal to find yourself in any of these stages. Be patient with yourself and realize it’s just a process.
• Even though we’re all going through this together, others may not be in the same stage you’re in. Be patient with others as well.
• Look for opportunities to help make the day better for others. You may be surprised how much better it makes yours.

Early in the film, someone asks Phil, who is a weather man, for a prediction. He responds,

You want a prediction about the weather, you’re asking the wrong Phil. I’ll give you a winter prediction: It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.

We may feel the same way in the middle of our plight. Just like Phil, we’ll get through this. Let’s choose to do some good along the way.