Boredom or Loneliness?

When it is cloudy and rainy I start to literally feel glum, but the sun is trying to shine today and I am trying to find ways to deal positively with this current situation we are all living.

I am not used to slowing down this much.  I am my mother’s daughter.  I can not imagine my dear beloved mom dealing with this quarantine – if she didn’t get to Marshall’s for some bargain shopping or out to the spa / pool for a swim or to church on Sunday or a couples date with friends – it would have been extremely difficult and I imagine depression may have set in.

So if mom were here, I would be here for her. We would talk on the phone and she would become good at Facetime so we could all see each others faces.

This past week I don’t have much to report.  We watched all of Schitt’s Creek and caught up with some Modern Family episodes so that we could watch the season finale.  I made brownies one night, another batch of chili, set up a gym downstairs, hung more pictures on the wall and even gave the dog a bath.

My husband and I took the dog for a few walks in the neighborhood and chatted with some neighbors.  Everyone is very friendly and practicing social distance by standing away from each other in the road.

It is a hard time for many of us. What can we do to not let ourselves fall into despair?

This is what I think…

1.  Get out of bed and have some coffee
2. Check or make a list of a few things to do today.
3. Make sure the list includes reaching out to talk via a video chat or message someone you haven’t talked to in a while, just to check in.
4. Make sure that list includes getting outside – to work in the garden, walk the dog, take a walk or bring out the garbage.
5. Make sure the list works on your brain – do that puzzle, play Words with Friends, do a crossword puzzle, or read a book.
6. Make sure the list has you do something creative – can you paint? can you color a coloring book page? can you write? can you plant a garden? can you play music?
7. Make sure the list gives you a safe, clean, happy and relaxing place to live. What can you do to improve that.
8. Make sure the list includes making sure the time you have with people in your house right now, is quality time. 
9. Make sure to find time to be grateful for what you have in your life right now and that you do something to appreciate the people who are going out everyday to serve others: health care workers, emergency workers, grocery store workers, truck drivers, and all other essential workers who risk going out there and being exposed to this potentially deadly virus.

This is all so big, but maybe we will feel better by taking small steps.

I feel better after talking to friends.

I feel better after taking the dog out for a walk.

I feel better after some exercise.

I feel better after a shower and blow drying my hair.

I feel better after having dinner with my family.

I feel better when my kitchen island is clean and shiny.

And I even feel better when my lame attempt at a self pedicure turns into a manicure!!

This shade even matches my Fitbit.

So how are you doing today? Any thoughts on what is working – hang in there.