Keep Moving Forward

Last week I touched on the importance of staying present while we #stayhome. And today I feel it’s valuable to talk about the importance of moving forward while we wait for the pandemic to be over. For me, it’s officially been one-month since my family has been staying home. While on one hand it’s gone by fast on the other hand time is ticking slowly. In a way it’s kind of like being on maternity leave with a newborn again the days are long, but the weeks go by quickly. 

My 4-year old is just now starting to notice and express that life is different. He’s missing playing with other kids and making friends (luckily, he still gets to go to day home 3 days a week). He’s missing going to the playground and going swimming with dad. He’s been asking me more to play with him and he always wants a snack. But he’s learning how to ride a bike and his imagination is flourishing. So, while he’s missing doing the things he likes to do, he’s still learning and growing and so can the rest of us.

I said last week that we don’t have to like what’s going on we just have to accept it. And it’s worth repeating. In fact, we most definitely shouldn’t like what’s going on right now. But now that the initial shock has dissipated it’s time to stop eating so many carbs and sugar (bread has never tasted so good, am I right?) and keep moving forward. I’ve been able to bring meditation and fitness into my daily #stayhome routine but eating uncontrollably has been my vice. And I know I’m not alone – I mean the fridge is right there! And Easter did not help. I made dinner rolls from scratch with homemade everything bagel spice and ate half … and then there was stuffing too. You get the picture, when times are tough, I eat a loaf of bread. Whatever your vice during a crisis it’s time to put it down or at least enjoy in moderation. I have one girlfriend who put a lock on the fridge to keep her kids out and another friend who only let’s her kids eat when it’s the time they would normally eat at school. I think this is a great strategy for adults too. I’d like to come out of this with my jeans still fitting.

I don’t know about you, but for me, usually at the end of day, I let out a big sigh and think - Well, we’re gonna do it all again tomorrow! Sometimes the sameness of each day wears on me. And I have to remind myself of a few things like:

1.    This is temporary. Life will start to return to normal – even if we don’t know when.

2.    It could be worse. Could it? Yes, for me it definitely could be. And I’m grateful it’s not.

3.    Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow might look like today but it’s a day closer to this being over.

I’ve also found that sticking to a routine and maintaining the following rituals are keeping me sane and away from a rut:

1.    Intermittent fasting – I’m not a doctor but I work well with guidelines so try to fast from 7:00 PM to 12:00 PM. I’m not always successful but it helps.

2.    Exercise a minimum of 20 minutes each day – I put on my gym clothes and go to the basement and do something. I don’t really like working out at home but there’s no other option, so I suck it up.

3.    Start the day with a greens drink, immune system shot (turmeric, ginger, ginseng, lemon and honey) – Again not a doctor or nutritionist but the ritual of it makes me feel good and gives me energy for the day and something in my tummy in the morning while I’m fasting.

4.    Accomplish at least one thing – on the days my husband is working and I’m home with the kids, accomplishing one thing can be a challenge but luckily my 15 month old naps for 2 hours a day and my 4 year old is obsessed with the Cars trilogy so I can get some time to myself almost every day. Moms, this note is for you, the TV is your friend right now. It’s ok to lean on it a little more than usual right now. Your sanity is more important than your kids screen time. And accomplishing one thing each day doesn’t mean it has to be something big. It might mean you washed and dried towels. Good job!

5.    Meditate – This has become a non-negotiable. I usually head to the basement first thing in the morning and meditate for 15 minutes.

6.    Reward of TV at the end of each day – Every night after the kids go to bed my husband and I watch a show together. It’s become a great ritual and it really feels like a treat at the end of the day.

7. Stay connected to friends and family.

Thank you for reading. We are all in this together and I look forward to getting to the other side. Until next week!