Making my list…
Greetings fellow couch potatoes,
These days take no explanation more than to yell “it’s crazy out there!” I must say, I went into self-imposed staying home in stages. I didn’t want to drink the Kool-aid of fear and panic the media seemed to be serving 24/7.
I took precautions, I was the person wearing red wool gloves at Walmart the other day when I ran low on mustard and salad. I survived. We are surviving.
I’ve joined the stay at home ranks and am trying to make the best of it as I hope you are too.
That’s all we can do right now.
Fortunately, I’m a home-body type. I like my house and enjoy the nest I’ve created.
I say this knowing that at the time of writing you this, I’ve been inside for 10 days now, except for walks in the neighborhood. For how much longer I will be content with this remains to be seen. Until then, I’ve decided to look on the bright side and list some things learned thus far.
10 Things I’ve Learned from 10 Days of Quarantine
It’s OK to go 4 days before showering. My hair doesn’t look as terrible as anticipated.
Dinner can start at 3:00 PM and be eaten in stages. Here’s a sample:
3:00 Make a salad, eat standing at the kitchen counter.
4:00 Cook up the broccoli in the fridge and have a bowl.
5:00 Oh look, its Happy Hour. Pour a glass of wine from the Box that holds 4 bottles. Pairs with potato chips or cheese (or both.)
5:30 Glass is empty. Refill.
6:00 Find the Pork Chop buried in the freezer under a stash of ice cream. Defrost for cooking.
7:00 Pan Fry pork chop and eat watching Netflix.
8:00 Remember the cookies and pair with a de-cafe or another wine or both.
9:00 Clean up the kitchen, dinner is over.
Pajamas are acceptable day-wear.
Watching YouTube at 2:00 AM is OK because I don’t really need to make myself go back to sleep. Naps are acceptable.
Going without hair gel is a mistake.
Praise and Worship music from Pandora changes the atmosphere in my house when I start feeling sorry for myself.
Keeping a pitcher of water on my counter helps me remember to drink more than coffee and wine.
I thought about ironing my sheets, but I’m not that desperate yet. I need to find my iron first.
Texting and Zoom are links to the “outside” world. I appreciate the connection they give to staying in “community” with others.
I’m reading Psalm 91 every morning and night. “No harm will come to my tent.”
That’s my list so far into our national crisis. More learning will happen, as every day is a time to decide how to spend the hours we’ve been given. The whole world is on pause. The button has been pushed. If we handle these next days and weeks in a positive way, not giving in to fear or worry, a new thing will emerge for each of us. We’ve all been given a circumstance never before imagined. Let’s not miss the real lessons we can take away when life hits the pavement again soon, and we pick it up running.
Relax. Spend time with your household like never before and try something new like making bread or knitting a new pattern. All we need to do is look out the window and see that spring has started and the new beginning all around us can be in our life too, even if that life is indoor’s for now.
Do not fear, carry on and stand tall. Finish the slowing-down tasks for this season. And, most importantly, don’t forget to look up.
~ Janet
PS - The next FREE creative journaling class on the topic of “Uncovering a New Version of You” will be Sunday, April 12th at 8 pm Eastern / 7 pm Central / 5 pm Pacific - CLICK THIS LINK TO JOIN US VIA ZOOM