I Wanna Get Real For A Minute

Homeschool week FIVE has ended. We are healthy, working with clients, staying on top of school work…and trying to maintain sanity. But, you guys…this is so hard. 

I think I’ve read all the things I can possibly read to help myself. I do all of the “good” things you’re supposed to do during this time of uncertainty:

• Maintain a good schedule for me and the kids. 

• I take walks ALL the time. 

• I’m drinking lots of water and trying to eat healthy.

As I’m writing this, the anxiety and fear of this virus is getting to me. I’ve kept my head mostly clear and very positive the past month…I really have. 

But, I can honestly say that I’ve had a few days this past week that have really pushed my limits. I lie awake at night. I can feel my heart racing at times. I wonder if we should cancel summer vacation plans because flying may be too risky. I’m an asthmatic, and I want to know that a vaccine is available before I would even think about leaving the country.

So many questions. Not enough answers. 

To boot, there is so much conflicting information that I don’t know what to believe. All I know is that it’s a scary time, and I have to keep me and my family safe.

Do you find yourself asking, “What next? Where do we go from here?” I do…often and much.

So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do next? There are four things I do when it feels like I’m about ready to jump on board the proverbial struggle bus.

1. Talk it out. Phone a friend. Talk to your partner. Call your mom. Sometimes, I just want to cry. Sometimes, I want to dig into the “why” of this whole mess. But, most often, I want to talk about the future and all my plans and dreams. I want to think beyond the 2020 pandemic quarantine.

2. Pray, meditate or do both. I was listening to a podcast recently, and the host mentioned that she prays to talk to God (or whoever your spiritual entity might be) and she meditates to get quiet and listen to God. 

3. Take a day off. Yesterday, the kids were at each other in a BIG way and were having a really hard time focusing on school work. So, I said “Enough. We are done.” It was 9:15 a.m. They looked at me, and my youngest said, “You sure?” Yep, I was done. I told them to take the day off. We all needed it. I used a few hours to work uninterrupted, and they loved having time to ride bikes and play Xbox.

4. Drink a glass of wine. I love a good cabernet…and frankly, I look forward to sitting on my back patio, listening to the birds or music, and sipping my glass of wine. It’s the little things that can make a chaotic day feel enjoyable.

These are crazy times, but now more than ever is the time to get clear on self-assessment and your triggers. Know yourself well enough to know when you need to phone a friend or take time off to decompress.

More than anything – give grace. Give grace to yourself, your kids, your partner. Everything’s gonna be alright.