Is There A Global Pandemic or Something?

Typically, I handle bad situations with humor. It's a defense mechanism that I've been using for most of my life. Lately, I have been having trouble (like the rest of the world, I am very aware) finding humor in the darkness. 

I am a very outgoing, social butterfly who thrives on personal connection. I am struggling very hard to stay positive during this stay at home order here in Massachusetts. I love being able to visit friends, spend time with family, and shop without fear of getting sick. I have had a hard time finding a creative flow - I have ALL this free time on my hands, why haven't I been pumping out content? 

Some days are hard. Some days are a breeze. 

I was supposed to visit my parents the week after St. Patrick's Day. Just for a long weekend. As things started to shut down, I started to worry I wouldn't be able to fly home. After talking with my dad, we decided to cancel the trip. I didn't want to risk catching the virus and bringing it to my parents. I didn't want to risk getting sick myself, and bringing it home and infecting my roommate. 

My parents were supposed to come up in May for Mother's Day. That trip has been postponed to Father's Day weekend in June because of this pandemic. It feels like I keep striking out when it comes to physically seeing my parents. 

I have to be honest - I cried. Off and on for hours. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas. I wasn't going to see them until September when we meet in the airport for a trip to Ireland. I needed this time with them. But for my health and the health of others, I had to make a decision. I felt foolish for being so upset. I felt selfish for being angry that this whole situation was happening. I felt angry that we were not ready for this as a country. I will not get political - that's not what this forum is for. But I will say that I am appalled at how this is being handled. Embarrassed almost. 

Staying home hasn't been easy for me. It hasn't been easy for anyone, I am very aware of that. I have seen many a social media post of people complaining about this - and I respect all of you for voicing how you feel. We are all struggling together - but how are YOU going to make this easier for yourself? What steps are you going to take to CHOOSE to be grateful, to be joyful, to be present? Expecting those around you to pick you up all the time, to be the ones initiating contact or conversation - doesn't help anyone - especially you. 

This is a very tumultuous time for us, of course. I am not downplaying that by any stretch of the imagination. There is so much uncertainty, so much untrue nonsense floating around the internet - it's difficult to tell which way is up. Speaking from personal experience - don't bother listening to news outlets. Check either the CDC website or the WHO site. Those are the two sites that I feel have the most accurate information - not riddled with political BS or satire. This is - of course - if you're actively seeking information surrounding the pandemic. If you are happier not knowing - that is a personal choice and no one has a right to judge you for it. 

Just like no one has a right to judge you for how you feel surrounding this mess. No one has a right to make you feel like your feelings are not valid, or that you're wrong in how you feel. No one has the right to tell you that your desire to go back to normal is wrong. No one has the right to make you feel like going out (in a safe, controlled situation!) is wrong. We are all very different people. Some of us are glad that we can't go anywhere. Some of us are DYING to hug our friends. We are all missing friends and family. We are missing our workplaces (I mean, I am... not sure about you!), our coworkers. This is only temporary - even though it feels like it's going to go on forever! 

Thankfully, we live in a technologically advanced world and can alleviate some of the loneliness or isolation. FaceTime is a godsend in this mess. Zoom has grown from a video conferencing system I only knew about in network marketing circles to a learning platform for students at home. There are so many ways to stay connected with those we love and miss - don't think we can't connect. Call your friends and family. Check on your older neighbors and relatives. 

I know we are a society that thrives on sub-tweeting, passive aggressive posts, and gossiping - so I challenge you all to get outside yourselves and be kind to one another instead of judging or gossiping. That just creates further isolation and depression - and there's no need for it. I saw a statistic the other day that said anti anxiety and depression medications are up 32% since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

I am a huge supporter of getting help however you need - but how much of that is triggered by social media and the news? How can we help our friends and family who suffer from these on a regular basis? How can we ease their suffering? For one - not being a complete and utter a-hole on public forums would be a GREAT way to start. I am seeing so many stories about the good going on during this - why not try and be a part of that movement? It takes more thought to be a jerk than it does to be a supportive human. Trust me - I've been on both sides of the fence. 

The world we currently live in is a mess. Instead of playing into the drama and inaccurate nonsense, I challenge you to be better than that. If thriving off drama is how you find joy in your day - I challenge you to find a new hobby. The best advice I have been given in the last 5 weeks is to set goals to come out of this "quarantine"  and "self isolation" better than you went into it. Who knows how long this is going to go on for. We are in charge of ourselves and how we handle the information we are given. 

Earth will someday be reopened, and a new normal will emerge. For the time being - let's look at the good that's come out of this. 

• Less air pollution all over the world
• India can see the Himalayan Mountains CLEARLY for the first time in 30 years
• There are dolphins swimming in the canals in Venice, Italy
• Los Angeles has less smog around it for the first time in decades
• People are being kinder to each other (mostly)
• We are being forced to slow down our daily lives
• We are able to walk and enjoy nature in it's most beautiful state 
• Catching up on TV shows and movies we have wanted to see but claimed we didn't have time for
• Finding new hobbies

If you haven't already - I recommend checking out Some Good News. A Channel on YouTube started, directed, edited, and hosted by John Krasinski. There are a handful of episodes so far, but it just makes you feel SO good to see this 15 minute clip of all the good going around. It is released weekly, so keep an eye out early next week for the next episode. I promise you'll laugh - and maybe cry. But only in a good way!  

I am in no way an expert on how to navigate this absolute mess we call life right now. I would never pretend to be. I am just sharing (as this blog was founded) things that have worked for me. If they don't work for you, or you have other ways of coping - that's okay too! We are all different. We are all suffering. We are all trying to get through this in one piece without losing our minds. It's not easy. Relationships on every level have been and will be tested. How we come out of this quarantine depends on how we choose to navigate it. Sitting in the yuck/our own baggage or trauma is not a bad thing - but you can't let it rule your every day life. 

My challenge to you is this - find 3 things every single day that make you happy. That bring you joy. That make this suck less. Share them on social media. Text your friends. Call your parents. However you want to share them - do it. Practice gratitude. Find the good in every single day -ESPECIALLY when it sucks. Talk to your quaranteam (those you are home with all the time), talk to friends, family. Communicate when it's hard. Celebrate the wins and learn from the lows.