The Fog…
I have been going through these weeks in somewhat of a daze. They have been flying by, yet somedays have been a downright drag, so much harder than others. Forget days, some weeks have been harder that others. So I sat down and really thought about why and how I can change that so that I bring some normalcy to my home, my loved ones and me.
Focus on things you can do…
Focus on things you can do, not what you can’t do. Enjoy the smallest of things you can do. Savor these moments – like talking to a friend or family member, even those that you haven’t seen or spoke to in a long time, and actually being able to see them through FaceTime, Zoom or any other virtual app that allows you to visually see and talk.
Sipping tea, enjoy the flavor and the aromas…
Taking a walk and enjoying the beauty around you. It is there and sometimes we are too busy to see it.
Experience positive emotions…
Find ways to experience positive emotions by way of joy, love, gratitude.
Cuddling with my kiddos and giving them hugs as much as possible – even when they make me mad. It definitely diffuses the situation.
Have fun, be silly with your family. Make that TikTok you’ve been too scared to make. Dance together. picnic together in your own backyard. Send them silly little love notes.
All these things will not only give them great pleasure and joy doing but will do so tenfold for you. At this time, keeping peace harmony and joy is almost critical to our and their mental health.
Focus on the present and what you can do and control on a daily basis and don’t worry unnecessarily about the future.
For me what this means is creating my kids and my schedule day by day and keeping some structure and adhering to it as much as humanly possible. But, in saying that, if things derail, step back, take a breather, re-evaluate and then get back on it or change it. It’s not the be all and end all if you cannot stick to your normal schedule. Create one that takes our current situation into consideration. And give yourself some grace. You may ask why I would still have a schedule or structure – well, why not? It brings a sense of security, it eliminates overwhelm for me and my kids (and it may not for you) and gives some direction to all of us. Make sure to include some fun things, walks, etc. (and some of what I spoke of above).
The bottom line is, control what you can, and let go of what you cant.
Emotions and moods…
Your emotions and moods affect those around you, so be aware of that…
It is inevitable to have negative feelings during this time, but do not give into them – do not let them take control. Acknowledge them and find ways that can create positivity, that can counter the negative intrusion. Pivot (a popular Corona word), switch gears and find something you know brings positivity or joy to you.
Have a schedule…
Believe it or not, having a schedule and goals (as mentioned already but definitely a little more work related) can actually act as an antidote to your overwhelm of what to do, where to begin and what direction do I want to take to get to where I want to be. If you have a goal and you have structure, work towards it. Set small but challenging and achievable goals to get there and you will see how even that small yet positive step gives you a sense of achievement and spurs you on to continue along that path. It gives meaning and structure, and now is as good a time as any to reflect and evaluate how you can get closer to your goals and values. And again, I am going to reiterate this one more time, allow yourself grace. We are not re-inventing ourselves but we do have that extra time to re-evaluate what it is we truly want for ourselves.
Little gestures…
In this time of so much need around us, think about how you can help others. By doing so, not only are you adding value to someone else’s life, but the residual effects on you create happiness and positivity. It doesn’t matter how big or small the gesture is – it truly is the gesture that counts.
In this time of so much need around us, think about how you can help others. By doing so, not only are you adding value to someone else’s life, but the residual effects on you create happiness and positivity. It doesn’t matter how big or small the gesture is – it truly is the gesture that counts.
Think about dropping off a little care package at your neighbor, a family member, someone you know could do with an extra little loving.
Look for food-drives in your municipalities.
Sponsor a car-wash for a teacher or two.
Send a love note to someone you care about or haven’t seen in awhile.
Send some care notes to an assisted living home.
No gesture is too small..
Media consumption…
Right now it is so hard to get truly accurate information. Be intentional with your news consumption, setting and keeping healthy boundaries. FB and Instagram are not news sources, so make sure you use trusted sources for your information. Otherwise it can all become an overload and overwhelming, leaving you not knowing what is true with all the conflicting information. And that just makes me plain dizzy and not in a good frame of mind.
Fuel Your Body…
And lastly, taking care of you and your body, is obviously essential to your immune system and equally so for your mental health. You are worthy of taking time for you, whether it be movement (working out), skin care regimen, taking time for you to just be in peace (mine is meditation), reading, etc…
Remember we are not in this alone. We are all experiencing some kind of worry, insecurity, loss, and in many cases anxiety. Be kind to yourself and everyone around you.