I’ve been in a spiral of news cycles and social-media bingeing. That is, when I’m not trying to wrestle my three kids into a day that is not eight hours of screen time. This is HARD friends. I am used to working at home, and I LOVE it. But what I’m not used to is working from home with kids. And working from home, and NEVER LEAVING home. And on top of that, worrying about the health and safety of people all over the globe and in my own community as this virus spreads. This is new territory, and these are strange times.
It’s way too easy to slide into funk right now. And to be honest, that’s how I’ve been feeling about 60-70% of the day. So, I’m writing this as a letter of advice to myself, and maybe it’s for you too. Before I continue, it’s important that I acknowledge that I’m extremely privileged to be able to stay at home, work (somewhat) from home and that I have a spouse who can do the same. However, both of our jobs are economy-dependent, and I realize nothing is guaranteed as we move forward.
Alright, this is my best advice to myself on how to cope with the worries of the coronavirus outbreak and our current quarantined-society status.
1 // Count your blessings. Are your loved ones sick? Can you still generate an income (for now)? Do you have pets that comfort you? Loved ones to quarantine with? A green space/backyard of your own?
2 // Change the narrative in your head. Get off the drip of constant news. Stop devouring every detail. Get lost in a book. Read something really good to your kids. Listen to music.
3 // Get dressed everyday. You deserve to show up as your best self. Even if it is in cute lounge clothes. A clean face and fresh (or semi-fresh) clothes will help get you in a good mental space to take on the day. Wearing your favorite necklace or earrings doesn’t hurt either. Don’t wait for ‘events’ to get dressed, because they aren’t happening right now.
4 // Call/text/FaceTime/google hangout, do whatever you can to connect with your people. Since being homebound I’ve been feeling the urge to call people more (hi Mom) and connect. I’m missing that in-person connection that I usually get from my days, and finding new ways to supplement is always a net positive. Thank goodness for technology.
5 // Do something for someone else. Call your neighbors, check in with people you know who live alone. Share your resources. If someone you know has a need, and you can meet it, resist the urge to hoard. One of my blogger friends (hello Elaine!) generously sent me a bottle of hand sanitizer when she heard we were out. Her small act of kindness was huge for me.
6 // Dig in to your faith/meditate. Now is not the time to try and lean on your own understanding, this is hard stuff.
7 // Move your body. This one is critical. Those of us who are currently WFH are creating body-sized dents in our couches. Exercise is good for your body AND your mind. We need all the endorphins we can get right now. You can do a HITT workout in your living room, yoga via YouTube, or walk around the block with your dog (real or imaginary).
8 // Renew your chocolate stash. Probably the best advice on this list.
9 // Look for opportunities for adventure. This idea came from my kids, when I polled them at dinner last night about how we could make ourselves feel better during this time. They suggested: camping in the house, playing dress up with the whole family and ‘making an iMovie’, and pretending to be a scientist in your backyard while looking for new plants.
10 // Embrace the slow-down. We are a society that moves at a fast pace, and we’ve come to a screeching halt. As hard as it is on all of us to experience this sort of whiplash, there is a benefit to slowing down. I won’t lie, I don’t mind not going to all the practices and things that normally fill our schedule. Our days are less rushed, and I kind of like it. I have more time to read to my kids. I am spending more time with them now that I’m trying to teach them (which is equally frustrating and hard), and I am enjoying the good parts. I can workout in the morning before my kids rise without having to get up at 5:30. It won’t be like this forever, but let’s make the best of it while we’re in it.
I hope this list is cathartic to you. Writing it felt really good. And in the coming days, when I feel myself starting to melt down again, I’m going to come back and reread it, and hopefully change the narrative in my head.
How are YOU doing? How is your mental state these days?
Much love to you guys!! Remember: we’re in this together.
I found this super helpful and reassuring. Thank you. Would love more posts like these as well as clothing posts for much-needed distraction :)
I’m so glad to hear that Ellis! I will keep the content coming.
this was a welcome read – thank you for sharing peace and calm during these troubled times.
Thank you for the feedback and support Linda
It’s the end of the day here in the UK and I’m just crawling into bed feeling pretty overwhelmed…I needed to read this, thank you x
Emma
I feel you, I really do. Glad I could help a little bit. xx
Thank you… this pretty much summed up what was swirling in my head. (But much more eloquently.) I get in that funk too but try to tell myself that we have a good amount to be grateful for! knock on wood
Hugs Terri!!
Thanks so much for that! I worry so much about how this isolation will affect my kids. It just feels overwhelming to think about doing this for an extended period of time. I love your list, especially remembering to feel grateful.
Jamie, I am with you. I feel like i can do anything for two weeks, but six weeks? Months? It feels overwhelming. I am re-visiting this list again today because I need. Hugs to you and your family!
These are very strange times. I find myself caught in fear & the next moment loving the openness of no place I have to be. Strange, our dog and the beauty of spring don’t know there is a crisis.
It is a weird space to be. I love that I don’t have to adhere to a strict schedule, it is kind of freeing. But somehow I still feel busy. I know what you mean about spring. It almost seems weird to see trees blooming, like almost out of place in the midst of a global pandemic. But also, somehow reassuring.
Very much appreciated this. Thank you!
Thank you for writing this! I have to admit– I’m at home, and I haven’t been getting dressed the last few days. Tomorrow I will, and I bet it will help make things feel more normal.
I hope it has helped Heidi! I am going to do it again this week. I need the ‘normalcy’
I’m 69 years old and live in rural Washington state. I enjoy reading your emails and seeing the outfits you put together….can’t do the high tops or the clunky boots
! During this self quarantine, we have three grandkids living with us….two temperamental teenagers and a sweet 11 year old. I would love to hear more about how you are spending your day with your kids. We have been sewing, baking, taking walks and limiting screen time to two hours a day as requested by their mom. I think my 14 year old granddaughter might enjoy your outfits too! Thank you.
Hi Judith! I love the insight to your days right now. Goodness, it is hard to stay away from screens, but we are trying to hold off TV until the late afternoon. My kids are doing a little bit of distance learning on the computers, but not a lot. Since it’s been sunny here, I keep kicking them out to the backyard and that helps. They are also required to make their beds, get dressed, unload the dishwasher, and practice piano so that takes up some of their time. Lastly my daughters are both obsessed with making rubber band bracelets, so they spend a lot of time doing that! Oh, and reading! Everyone has to read in the mornings (so I can drink my coffee in quiet, haha). Thanks for stopping by the blog. I hope you guys are staying healthy!
The renew your chocolate stash one cracked me up. Two days ago I placed a $170 order from my favorite local chocolatier, Gail Ambrosius! (Yes, $170…) They announced they were closing for a few weeks and I totally panicked. The chocolates were delivered to my doorstep yesterday and I feel calmer already. :-) Thanks for this lovely list!
Hahah, and I thought I loved chocolate. ;) I am glad you renewed your stash. It’s kind of a necessity right now, isn’t it?!
This was so helpful. I just discovered your blog after searching for Bryr clog reviews. Isn’t that random?? But this advice is giving me life as I navigate this dark time with my family. I love the idea of dressing up daily. I finally did that yesterday and felt like a new person!
Hi Connie, and welcome! I’m so glad you found me (I still love wearing Bryr’s!). I am struggling too, and I’m glad this post can help a little bit. Cheers to dressing up! It’s a huge change isn’t it?! Even if it’s super simple, but something about having clean hair and cute clothes feels really good right now. Sending hugs to you!
Kondi pants, coffee, and cookies.
I just googled Kondi pants, and those look amazing! Also, coffee and cookies forever!!!!