What Have I Learned From Staying At Home?
This week officially marks the 9th week of staying at home for many of us. As a resident of New York, fortunately, as May 15th draws near, there is now the hope of New York re-opening and our lives, slowly returning to some level of post-COVID 19 normalcy.
I think I can safely speak for many that the past 9 weeks have not always been smooth sailing. There have been days when you wake up ready to tackle the world and others where all you want to do is pull the covers over your head and fall back to sleep.
With the glimmer of light at the end of this very dark tunnel beginning to shine, today I am taking a reflective look back at what I have learned over the past 9 weeks…
- I miss going in to the office. Yes, there is a novelty to rolling out of bed and taking work calls from the luxury of one’s home. The key word is novelty. When that wears off, the act of waking up, showering, getting dressed and heading to the office becomes a former routine that I now crave.
- In my home, Fortnite, has become a necessary evil. Yes, at times the content is violent, and the volume emanating from the loud keystrokes of the gaming computer is obnoxious! However, that same game has served as a way to unite my children with their friends on a daily basis. Whenever I see either of my children engaging in “battle”, the first question I ask is “Who are you playing with?” Inevitably my kids rattle off several of their friends names. In a environment where we are all in need of social contact, I have now opened up my mind (and arms) to the world of Fortnite.
- When the sun is shining, things really do seem better. Whether it is for 20 mins or two hours, getting outside in the sun has a magical affect on my mood! I am not sure if it is the dose Vitamin D or the fresh air, regardless, on days that I cannot get outside, my mood reflects that.
- I still don’t like distance learning. Although many of my children’s teachers are doing a fantastic job, distance learning is just not for me, or my kids. They need to be with their friends. They need to be held accountable by a highly trained person, standing in front of them in a classroom. They need external stimulus and to be in a setting that educationally energizes them. I provide a warm, loving and welcoming home to my children. That however, does not translate into a successful “home school.”
- There is a thing called “too much together time.” There is something quite beautiful in having the opportunity to miss someone. Even my dog is looking at me with this “are you really going to be here all day again” look on his face!
- I am still anxious about the future of this disease. Will those with antibodies stay immune? Will all of our fears subside when there is a vaccine? Or will this be like the flu…there is a vaccine each year, but it doesn’t always work? So may questions and so few answers.
- Wearing a mask makes me feel like I am in some sci-fi movie. Yes, I wear a mask when I am in a store or in an area that does not allow for social distancing, however it still feels so foreign. Plus it makes my nose run!
- Staying healthy should always be the number one priority. When I say healthy, I don’t just mean physically, I also mean mentally. I understand what NY (and the world) has done to stop, or at least slow down, the number of lives that COVID-19 has taken. As the daily numbers decline, we must now do what we can to insure that the mental and economic health of our country doesn’t claim even more lives!
- By nature, we are resilient and kind. Although this has been extremely hard and saddening in so many different ways, we still continue to figure out a way to keep moving forward. Pending the affects that this pandemic has personally had on you and your family, that movement may just be waking up in the morning and putting one foot in front of the other, however continuing to do that every day, is forward progress. And when you feel you need help taking that next step, rely on the kindness of those around you. It is there!
- I continue to be in awe of all first responders!
May all of you continue to stay healthy and well!