My first response to the change in our new world was panic and discomfort. My sense of self and control had been taken away. What type of schedule can I keep if I no longer have a To-Do list? I paced around my living room wondering what this all meant. Questions came to my head like:
Will my son fall behind or get held back from school?
How am I going to get an update on my son’s progress without meeting with his teacher face to face?
Was my job secure?
Will my opportunity to start my dream job be put on hold?
Oh no! Why did I wait so long to stock up on our back-up resources? Dam, and what could I substitute for toilet paper due to the scarce supply? Umm if I’m pushed hard enough, I’ll just use a washcloth to wipe myself! LOL
Why did this have to happen now? I have so many exciting upcoming plans.
My mind continued to wonder. I figured, If we simply kept up with cleansing protocols we should be safe, right? My logic was that most adults practice healthy hygiene, and are considerate enough to to stay at home when struck down by a fever that was preceded by coughing and sneezing.
Unfortunately these precautions weren’t taken; resulting in the inevitable implementation of social distancing. Though this feels more like social isolation! I became dismayed by these circumstances, contemplating on what I’ll be missing out on I thought:
I can’t:
Go to work
Go to the mall
Go out for a leisurely dinner
Go out for drinks
Go to a gathering with friends
Then after over a week of staying at home I had an epiphany. My perspective changed and I suddenly thought
I can:
Indulge!
Soak in a bubbly bubble bath lathered with aromatherapy body soap
Read a book before I hit my pillow every evening
Actually have the time to give myself a neat and smooth manicure without falling asleep before they dry; where I usually wake up to a bumpy mess!
Sleep-in without the interruption of a noisy alarm clock
Take in guilt free binge watching of my favorite shows after hours
Dive into a huge container of french vanilla ice cream scooped over a layer of a succulent slice of chocolate fudge cake
Prepare and eat breakfast with my son
After breakfast flipping through a fashion magazine on my deck; while really tasting the almond and cinnamon spice of my morning tea that I sip out of my favorite white and gold plated tea cup that I normally don’t notice
Get Organized!
Reorganize that cluttered closet that I’d been neglecting due to prior time constraints
Clean out that messy storage unit that I will be utilizing
Be Constructive!
Wake up feeling energized enough to keep up with the rhythm of my favorite exercise video
Sign up for that online course to enhance my skills
Plan!
What tools could I give my son for his future success?
What is my five year financial plan?
How can I increase my credit score?
How do I walk toward the career that I really want?
What is missing in my life?
How can I make a contribution to this world?
This epiphany gave me the turnaround that I needed. My lesson has been realizing that there is usually some good underlying the “bad events”. We just need to stop in our tracks to see it. Over the last week of being home I feel that I have lived more than I have in years. My mornings have been filled with healthy breakfasts, time for playing soccer at the park with my son, and observing fathers throwing softball with their children. At the same time I was also able to experience looking up at the sun during my morning jogging sessions, and allowing the rays to penetrate my skin (with the use of sunblock of course. LOL).
Through this challenging time in our history, the universe has intervened to remind us of what matters the most!
I hope it has also shed some light for you as well:)
All greatness starts within!
Aniyah (AKA Anita)-The Mommysavior
