It’s been 5 weeks of Shelter-in-Place for me. I pulled myself in earlier than ordered because I wasn’t really sure if everything the media was saying was true. I was a little concerned about how my body would respond to the virus. And I’ve talked before about how much I’ve actually loved being in my space.
As hard as this has been for people in this time, I have tried to see the good and the bad because there is that with everything. As an empathetic person it is hard not to feel the negativity that is ensuing everywhere. I am doing my best to avoid the media and FB. I feel for everyone struggling so hard right now, but I need to keep myself healthy. I am doing my best to focus on keeping my small corner of the world a positive place. I need to do that for my family and my clients. I feel the more we can all do this, the faster the world will heal.
I’m fortunate not to have a lot of people running around the house during the day.
It’s been quiet. And except for the ones I miss the most, I’ve been pretty good. It’s forced me to evaluate my food choices more, to put more focus on taking the right supplements to support my health. I’ve been more conscious of taking time to rest or sleep longer. And I’ve been able to lower my stress levels for the most part. I haven’t been as good about meditating, but I have been doing more than I normally would.
I hope you all have put your focus on yourselves in this moment.
You can do more for others if you are looking after you.
I have, as I’m sure you have as well, wondered what it will be like once this is all over with. I find it interesting how quickly Mother Nature has responded to shutting us down. It is the first time in decades that the peaks of the Himalayas can be seen. The fog over LA has lifted. The dolphins are swimming in Venice again.
And I’ve noticed several things happening for me too. The stress of life has been lifting. I was going to say that people are nicer right now, but I think it is more than that. I think most of the people I run into are respectful and have a focus on just being humane. There seems to be a worry for us as humans. I know I’ve realized that no matter what we seem to be going through, Mother Nature doesn’t seem too upset. And maybe it is time to realize that if we don’t stop to recognize that we must be one with the earth, we are just fighting it and dooming ourselves. Just a thought.
I was speaking with one of my clients the other day. She was saying that she was a bit nervous about going out in the world again. She was enjoying not having to deal with the tough relationships and really enjoying the peace she had right now. I completely agreed with her. I think introvert or extrovert, we have all gotten a reprieve from those that give us stress and just stress in general. Our bodies are feeling a sense of relief and might not want to just jump right back into it all again.
What can you do?
You’ve been eating better by cooking at home, I hope. That’s helpful. Can you continue that? Or find a way to continue that? You’ve been on a forced rest, a forced evaluation or reevaluation of how to spend your time and I bet it is more focused on those that matter. Can you continue that? Can you rebuild your life in a way that this stays a priority? Have you been exercising more? I know I’ve seen my neighbors out there walking their dogs 4-5 times a day. Now, I know that won’t continue going forward but the exercise outside, in nature is so beneficial. Can you preserve that in your calendar once a day? And those relationships that you haven’t missed or have enjoyed not having to deal with; it might be time for a reevaluation of how they are serving you. Do you need the added stress going forward?
These are all forms of self-care that you’ve been forced to take on. They are the type of care that you need to stay healthy, less stressed. They might be what is needed to venture out into this brave new world again.
Maybe think on it.
What do you like about this new way of living that you want to keep in your life?
What can you do better going forward?
