How are you spending your ‘quarantine’ time?
Like you, my life if busy – often too busy, so the last couple weeks have been interesting as I have been forced (by something completely out of my control) to SLOW down.
Even while my heart is breaking for those individuals and families affected by this crazy virus – I’ve been able to learn a few things about myself that I pray I never forget. (*see footnote below)
You see, I’m guilty of ‘thinking’ I don’t have time to slow down – I approach life FULL SPEED ahead, and I confess I’ve always been ‘kinda proud of that (for a couple reasons)
One – I’m beyond grateful that I have the health and energy to stay busy …
Two – I’m grateful that I’ve been ‘gifted’ with the desire to… live and learn and try new things.
The downside?
I don’t take care of myself like I should, and, I have a tendency to be a loner (usually, because I’m working on a project) as a result, I often neglect relationships that are important to me!
** Somebody…PLEASE tell me you can relate, so I don’t feel like such an odd duck ?
Fast forward to where I find myself > TODAY < facing a ‘brand new normal’
Trust Me – it has been a personal ‘wakeup call’
I thought I’d share a few of the lessons I’ve learned — hopefully, you will be encouraged, inspired or at least amused by them ? but to be completely honest — I decided to pen these lessons, lest I forget them in the future.
Lesson #1 — I need people in my life!
After being ‘forced’ to spend time ‘alone’ – I’ve realized – I MISS people – not just friends and family (whom I’ve missed immensely)
… I miss the cashier checking me out at the grocery
… I miss the kid that accidentally bumps into me coming out of the convenience store
… I miss my co-workers
… I even miss ‘rude’ people (they’re probably going through things, I can’t imagine)
… I’m a HUGGER and I miss that physical contact with another human being.
… I (even) miss busy highways!
Lesson #2 – Downtime is a GOOD thing’
Probably for the FIRST time in my adult life – I don’t have a schedule – and it’s been pretty cool — Hey, a couple of times I’ve even taken a nap “in the middle of the afternoon” (what???)
Lesson #3 – I enjoy cooking (more than I realized)
My mom is with me right now…but, generally it’s just Hubby and I, so I get ‘lazy’ when it comes to meal prep (actually, that’s not completely true — it’s usually because I’m otherwise occupied with one of my ‘projects’) however, these past couple weeks, I’ve pulled out a few of my favorite cookbooks and ‘tried something different’ and it’s been FUN.
Lesson #4 – You can accomplish a LOT in 15 minutes
This is NOT a new lesson for me, but more of a reminder. (the FIRST time I organized my home, I did it – 15 minutes at a time)
During this downtime, I’ve completed several projects that I’d been ‘putting off’ … aka procrastinating ? … using the 15-minute approach – after all you can do anything (that’s not harmful) for 15 minutes can’t you?
I’ll be sharing some of those projects in detail over the next couple posts but for now the focus is on ‘lessons learned’
Lesson #5 – A blog post doesn’t have to be 1500 words long
When I first started blogging, I read somewhere that a (great) blog post “needs” to be at least 1500 words long and that number got stuck in my head. As a result, I currently have 22 blog posts in my ‘Draft Folder’ waiting for me to turn them into “great” 1500-word posts’ ? ugh!
I’m frustrated with myself for allowing this to hold me back — and who knows — the answer to one of YOUR questions may be hidden there — all I know, for sure — is that they aren’t doing anyone any good in a ‘drafts’ folder.
(right now, I’m thinking about how many times I’ve opened one of those “1500” word blog posts in a new tab with intentions of going back and reading them ‘later’ — but life happens — the tab gets closed — and the post never gets read and as a result my own questions go unanswered.)
I’ve decided moving forward to get my posts LIVE as soon as possible — After all, if I can provide you with ONE TIP or ONE STEP that will move you forward in creating a home that is organized – emotionally healthy and feels like a haven, then it’s a Win – Win for both of us.
And last but not least, this is the (almost) humorous lesson I’ve learned 🙂 about myself.
Lesson #6 Just because I have food – doesn’t mean I have to eat it
It’s been 2 weeks since the quarantine went into effect and I’ve gained 5 #’s (!!!!!) Seems as though I’ve not only discovered I enjoy cooking – I also enjoy ‘tasting’….so, now I’m working on other ways to entertain myself…otherwise I’ll be big as the Blimp before this is over…how about you???
*Although I have shared a few things I’ve learned about myself during this time — I want to make something perfectly clear — my FIRST choice would be for this pandemic to have never happened. Many of you have had your lives changed FOREVER and that makes me, sad beyond words – please know my prayers are with you!
** Update: (1 week later) I made the decision to quit using this time as an excuse to not take care of myself and I’ve lost the 5 lbs.
take care and stay safe
Judy Graham says
Thank you, Joyce! Always love hearing from you. I have found out that I am using more pantry items & freezer things for preparing meals. I am more of a stock up items when on sale so I was somewhat prepared for this stay out of grocery stores. Also, painting several rooms in the house (things I have been putting off).
JOYCE MAXWELL says
Judy, always great to hear from you! Thanks for sharing how you’re spending your time during this tragic time for our country. Thanks for sharing with the readers, the benefits of not waiting until the last minute to prepare for things such as this. Making it a practice to keep basic staples ‘stocked’ is beneficial on so many levels.