Keeping it real

One thing I have been so grateful for recently is the new life I see blossoming around me. Plants are coming up from the ground and buds are starting to appear! It's always refreshing to see new life, but it feels like an extra special gift right now.

These last few weeks have contained many difficult, isolating moments. I've felt lonely and overwhelmed. I'm guessing you have too. I've questioned how to keep moving forward when all I want to do is stop.

I'm going to take a few minutes to tell you what I'm doing to thrive, and not just survive, this pandemic. For starters, I've pushed through hundreds of those difficult, overwhelming, lonely moments, finding the next thing that needs to be done and doing it. How I felt wasn't going to stop me. If you have read my previous posts, you probably know by now I am not one to just push past feelings. I love to give them attention and delve into the "why" behind the emotion. But there are moments when that isn't what I suggest we do. Pulling up my big girl panties and doing something no matter how I feel is vital at times too!

In these last few weeks, I've taken a good number of walks. I've baked more than usual with my kids. We've even had extra home-made meals in the house! This isn't because I've been less busy. In fact, I've actually felt busier within this time of quarantine. Thanks to technology, there are actually more things that I'm being invited to participate in online than usual!

Why I've changed my lifestyle is impart because my life feels like it's revolving mostly around the 3,000 square feet I live in. I still have to choose what I will agree to show up for, and battle the idea that I may be disappointing someone by not getting onto the Zoom call, or Facebook live event. But really, for all of us, life has changed dramatically, and we get to choose how we will walk through it! We are powerful in this. We have choices.

Numerous activities we all enjoyed doing have been limited during this pandemic - and for good reason. It means, we must be creative in figuring out how to make the best of the situation we find ourselves in. I know, that's not new news to anyone! I just want to reiterate it, because it's what I keep having to go back to for myself and my family.

I definitely want to remember this time period as one I thrived in; then again, I guess that's how I want to view every season in my life. That doesn't mean I expect perfection in my attitude, or in my choices. I give myself permission to make mistakes. I recognize feeling lonely and sad sometimes is okay. I don't always have to be happy! Neither do you.

You are one person you should get to feel safe around all the time! In those moments that you feel lonely, sad, or a bit isolated, remind yourself it's okay. You shouldn't have to constantly dictate your feelings. You should just be sometimes. Of course, this isn't me saying that if depression hangs around, you should welcome it to be your BFF. Remind yourself, you're going to get through this time. You could even be better coming out of it, depending on how you walk through it! You get to choose how you will view the circumstances you're faced with.

You can choose to be healthy through all of this by reaching out to a friend who cares, and will listen. Go ahead and take those walks! Cook meals that are going to help your body be strong. Being proactive to reach out and make healthy decisions is so important. Choose when you're going to look at or listen to the news reports, and make sure you have boundaries around that. Whatever you are filling your mind with will greatly affect your feelings. No, you don’t have bury your head in the sand, but you also can be informed without listening to every update there is available! If you hear something heavy and depressing, don't drown out how you're feeling with unhealthy activities. Stop and choose something that is going to invigorate you and produce positive energy within you! Don't beat yourself up for having a harder time than you usually do, and for choosing to do life differently within this time of quarantine. It won't always be this way. Many of us aren't feeling like our normal selves. Keep perspective. We will get through this together! You're not alone.

I sincerely care. I’d love if you’d leave a comment below and let me know how you're doing. To make sure not to miss any content, you can subscribe to my e-mail list. You can also follow me on IG and FB for extra positivity!