Thriving While Housebound
After more than 30 days of the “Stay At Home’ order, we all are striving to get back to a routine. Rolling out of bed in our pajamas to start our work day from home has become tiresome. Many people are bored, irritable and even depressed being cooped up in their home, but too scared to venture out even for necessities. As I sit here this rainy morning contemplating my day, I wonder what will be on my to do list. Although I feel I am one of the fortunate ones living on a beautiful 280 acre farm, my life, as with everyone else’s, has been turned upside down. We are told to sit on the couch and don’t go outside to do our part in flattening the curve. But as another year is quickly racing by, we must not let our goals and dreams get derailed be a pesky pandemic. Let’s look at this black swan event as an opportunity to accomplish some of our goals that we might not of had time for before.
If you are fortunate enough to have a roof over your head, this is a perfect time for home improvement. Those walls you have been staring at maybe could use a coat of paint. Or, those blank walls could use some pictures that you have been meaning to hang. Perhaps your work space needs some organization since your background during Zoom meetings are cluttered. Another opportunity is to purge and sort through cabinets, closets even your basement or attic. If all of your cleaning and arranging still doesn’t give you the open feeling of your now confined space, maybe it is time to look for a new place. Spend time looking online for an apartment or home to meet your needs. What is that one thing you now realize you need in a home? An office, a gym or a garage to do some project might be a thought. Spend some time doing virtual tours or listing your new needs since you might now have some time on your hands.
But if you already have the perfect living arrangement, a new hobby might be the trick to keep up your spirits. Have you always wanted to learn French, Spanish or even Polish for that bucket list trip? What about cooking since eating out isn’t an option? Our new sous vide has opened up options on how to cook meat, fish or even eggs. Even I, the non cook in the house, found it surprisingly simple to have chef quality food easily. Painting or drawing is a calming activity which may uncover a hidden talent. Knitting or sewing could create gifts for upcoming holidays. Your sewing skills could also be utilized for making masks for first responders, hospital workers or the elderly.
With the virus looming, the need to give back has become vitally important to many of us. Forgetting the woes of confinement and looking to help others, people are joining together to do good. I already suggested making masks, but for a non sewer like me other alternatives are necessary. With millions of layoffs and grocery store shelves barren, food pantries have been burdened with an extraordinary increase in demand. A 40% surge in needed basic necessities such as milk, eggs and canned goods has led to lines stretching for miles in newly created drive-throughs. The Virginia Tech Women’s Club, which I am a member, saw the need and quickly and creatively put the word out to their members for unprecedented solicitation for donations to support the cause. These times call for swift action and the members took the challenge to support a local food pantry. Recognizing an immediate need and joining together for a common purpose gives hope for the future during this pandemic.
But many people were subjected to the ultimate sacrifice, the loss of a loved one to this horrific virus. Our busy days filled with the normal hustle and bustle, didn’t allow us to stop and spend time with those we love and tragically lost. Elderly are confined to their rooms only to be separated by friends and family by the window of their home. Hospitals are separating the sick from their spouses to stop the spread of COVID-19. A lonely journey at the end of many peoples existence. Even a celebration of “A Life Well Lived” has to be delayed until a safer time to gather is allowed.
As we count our blessings, but mourn the passing of others, we can fill our to do list with some meaningful tasks. Is our estate in order? Yes, now is the time to update wills and trusts. What about heirlooms? Do you have an inventory? Many people don’t think about their precious pieces intended for a future generation. If not chronicled as to its importance and the intended receiver, the item may end up as a goodwill donation. Is your life story documented in a way to pass down your core values and life lessons for future generations? Having your children know the story of how you met, overcoming adversity as a child or hopes for their future shouldn’t be something lost in time with your passing. My mom wrote each of her five daughters a letter years before she passed away. These letters were not intended to be opened until she was gone. She left us a legacy letter of her hopes and dreams for us. If you are interested in writing your own letter but don’t know where to begin, my sister has a video on the subject, Letters That Never Post from her book Plan, Organize, RIP.
So as the storm clears outside, my reflections on what needs to be done today has emerged to a long list of tasks. But as the craziness of the pandemic is broadcast across the news, I chose to thrive as the “Stay At Home Orders” continue. Finding my new normal has been an inspiring journey with new ventures and hopefully meaningful projects, although many have been outside my comfort zone. How are you choosing to thrive?
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