Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing as well as can be given the circumstances. I find everything so different now. If someone would have told me, this was going to happen. I never would have believed it. It almost feels as though we went to sleep in one world and woke up in another. Leaving the house to grab groceries is an eerie and terrifying feeling. You can see fear in most people’s eyes. Everyone is wearing masks and gloves, distanced at least 6 feet apart. Store shelves are mostly empty and the one impossible thing is finding toilet paper or paper towel.
Everyone has to stay home, at first I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. After a couple weeks, you really start to notice how hard it can get. I can’t help but think of all the kids, who have no idea what’s going on. Many can’t find the words to express themselves or it comes out in other behaviours. Honestly I consider myself one of the lucky ones. My family is healthy, we are all home together. My heart aches for anyone who is affected by this virus. For anyone who still has to go in public for work, our healthcare workers, anyone on the front lines, first responders. Those considered “invisible” (hospital cleaning staff, janitors in stores etc). In the midst of all this chaos and uncertainty, I see our communities coming together. I hear, see and watch beautiful things happening around the world.
This is a very scary time, I find it really hard when everything and everyone is talking about Covid-19. It’s on commercials, we are inundated with it on our news feeds, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the list goes on. My kids are constantly seeing the news feeds on their Apple phones. I have stopped reading all the horrible stories and started to focus on the good stories. People healing from the virus, incredible acts being done for others. Communities coming together, videos of the nightly salute to health care workers. These are the things that let me still feel hopeful. That things won’t be like this forever. It doesn’t matter how long we are in this for, we are all in this together and we will get through it. Thankfully it happened at a time when technology still allows us to see each other through video calls. I couldn’t imagine this happening, 10 years ago. We are able to still help our children at home with their education because of this technology. My children are able to connect with all of their friends through Fb messenger for kids.
This has already been a huge adjustment, I am blown away with how amazing everyone in our community is handling it. I have received calls from each of my kids teachers, checking in, giving us new information on how things will proceed. Everyone is doing such an amazing job. We have so many hero’s amongst us, fighting to keep things somewhat normal. Amongst those hero’s are our children, who will grow up and be a part of history. They will be telling their children and grand children about Covid-19 and how it changed their lives. This is not easy for them, children who thrive for routine. I can’t imagine this being easy at all. Remember, when our children have other behaviours, check in with them. My 8 year old has had huge attitude the last few days, which is not like her. I asked her what was happening, she broke down crying saying that she misses life. She misses her friends and her teacher and going to her activities. It’s so easy for us to get caught up in how we feel, to focus on our feelings. Our little ones are suffering, they hear and see everything, they feel our anxieties. We need to make sure that they are okay as well. A daily check in, have them write in a journal, explain to them that it’s okay to feel the way they feel.
This is a new world for everyone, navigating through things aren’t as easy as they once were. If we stick through this together, we will get through it. I encourage you to find the positive in your days. Find the stories that make your heart smile, that make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Find something in your daily routine, that makes you happy. That makes you feel good inside. Whether it’s a workout, a run, dancing with your kids, laughing at funny videos. As all the days feel like they a rolling into one, find you. In order to keep things running smooth and keeping your kids happy, you need to be happy. It’s easy to feel depressed, overwhelmed and angry. That’s okay, if you need time to get through those feelings, do what you need to do. Then find something to take you out of that feeling. Remember it’s not just you, everyone is feeling these same emotions. FaceTime a friend, call someone, we will get through this.
This too shall pass. This is just a mere blip in our lifetimes. Embrace this new reality, tackle your house, catch up on laundry or your favourite shows. Spend as much time with your kids as you can. With life being so busy and always on the go, take this minute where a “pause” button has been pressed. Be easy on yourself and love yourself. We will get through this.
Being me, loving you 