Taking one day at a time. Trying to create a new normal and the key word here is trying. Proud to admit the feelings of boredom that kick in and the sadness that stirs are not felt because of a lack of trying. I, like many others, have found myself stuck in total awe of colors from yesterday’s today. I miss the pre-COVID 19 days. Some call me crafty and that indeed I am, but at this time I can’t help but miss some of the brightest lights in my life, the people who my world goes round, my friends. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again just because it is so dang true: I am who I am because of the team that cheers me on. In this time we are living in an anxious world full of confusion and sadness. My mood in a word is fidgety. I decided on day 4 of self-isolating that I would refrain from making angsty playlists titled “F Corona” and would try a bit harder to learn the board games my family enjoys playing. I wish I possessed Yoda’s wisdom and the Dalai Lama’s peace these days, but that is just not the case. I think it is important to recognize that while the world is doing this epic cartwheel, there is still a lot of love here and our current situation doesn’t diminish that. I find myself thinking about times with friends and in nature and how colorful these moments appear in my memory. This exercise has reeled me in big time to appreciate how lucky I am to live a life with so much freedom and joy. For example, to wake up one morning and think “Ah, I want to go to the zoo” and with a snap-of-the-fingers I am driving in a car packed with friends en route to the zoo. We had this and we will get back there.
Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder I tell myself as I long for the days when I can sit next to friends on the same picnic blanket. I long for the days where I feel like I am dreaming while still awake. I long for days that felt like movies, that I wouldn’t mind pausing, rewinding, playing on slow mo over and over and over. We are living history. COVID-19 has taught me that proximity is a luxury. In the moment who knew how special it was when our feet were all in the same place at the same time?
Anyways, I have found myself checking off a ton of mini bucket-list items. I made a podcast episode (hopefully more to come), found the time to publish my second book, sat down and watched High School Musical 1,2, and 3 all in a sitting, and wrote down a list of all the Breweries I intend to visit once we get the green light go to resume contact with the outside world. I have also started a postcard pen-pal network that has been brightening my days. Sending and receiving postcards is something to look forward to and is an activity away from screen time (no phones, tablets, laptops)! I have received tons of movie, song, and podcast suggestions through this form of communication. In addition to post carding I have engaged in theme parties and hours of incredible conversation via facetime.
Sending positive vibes and hopes for health to you and yours!
Also LMK if you want to be Pandemic Pen Pals?!