A Virtual Coffee Date in Which We’re All at Home.
Hi!
Let’s just jump right in – How are we feeling?
Anxious? Annoyed? Overwhelmed? Scared? All of the above?
However you’re feeling, it’s okay. There’s no rulebook here (okay, except for the actual rules from the CDC – which, please follow those). There’s no rulebook on how to feel. My friend Steph summed it up great yesterday: “None of us can go back – if we weren’t taking it seriously and now are, if we were out but are now home, if we have panicked/lost our minds and lashed out and have recovered – but we can all go forward giving each other space (six feet to start) and grace.”
SPACE AND GRACE. I love that.
So let’s all have cup of coffee and sit in our space and grace together. And I’ll ask you. . .
Have any important things been canceled for you?
For me, Suzy School has been canceled, and while I’m gutted over it, I know it’s the right (and only) choice. Such a bummer, but she’s doing a great job of making lemonade out of lemons and I’m going to try to do the same! Jack’s school is also closed indefinitely, and I’ll just be honest and say I’m not doing as good at making lemonade out of that one yet haha.
Were people panicking at your stores?
I had to go to Publix yesterday because I take a daily prescription and only had a few days left. Since I had to go anyway, I decided to go ahead and get the essentials we might run out of (ahem, COFFEE). For the most part, people were pretty calm, but it was surreal seeing the empty spaces on the shelves. It was also confusing to see the things people had chosen to stock up on.
What are you reading/watching/listening to?
My library is closed, and I’ve got about 25 books from my last haul. I’m planning on just working my way through them! What about you?!
Are you remembering to take care of yourself?
A gentle reminder that having time at home and taking care of yourself are not the same thing. Do what you need to do to care for you. Go for walks and get fresh air. Take breaks. Turn the TV off. Ask your therapist if you can schedule a FaceTime session.
I want to remind you to reach out if isolation is difficult for you.
If you’re in recovery of any kind, I know isolation can be devastating. Reach out to your people. If you’re struggling with being alone so much, reach out to your people. If your anxiety is crippling during this time, reach out to your people. If you don’t have people to reach out to, here are some resources:
- National Helpline for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services is 1-800-662-HELP.
- The National Suicide prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
- halfofus.com is an incredible resource for any loneliness, depression, or anxiety you may be feeling during this time. And if you just need to talk, my inbox is always open!
Love you. We’re all in this together. Now go treat yourself to that second (third) cup. xo
Leave a Reply
Feeling Uninspired?
Sign up with your email for a weekly pep talk, just for you. Delivered to your inbox Sunday night to combat the Sunday scaries!
So many important reminders. Love you.
So much space and grace right now. Everything is changing so quickly and I have to just take breaks to look at flowers and the sun and just be grateful for the current moment, but crap – it’s hard. I’m glad you have lots of books and coffee. Stay safe friend!
I am annoyed.
A baseball game we’ve had tickets to was cancelled, I’m pretty bummed there’s no March Madness to watch, and the Masters being moved nearly brought me to tears. (drama? no?)
People weren’t panicking, but they definitely freaked out at some point b/c WOW there’s no TP, no meat, no rice … weird.
I’m listening to podcasts, watching The Crown (again).
I am taking care of myself, HOWEVER let me say – I am not quarantined. I’m still having to work at the office. So THAT is quite annoying….
Zoe’s dance pictures are having to be rescheduled and I am super bummed because they are now not doing group photos. This is her first year, and we have spent every Thursday with these little girls and I wanted to have that group shot to remember. I just hope her recital at the end of May isn’t cancelled too. She has worked so hard this year! And those costumes are expensive as all get out!
Other than that, I am taking this time as a gift. More time spent with Chris and Zoe, time to organize and clean some areas of the house I haven’t gotten to yet, enjoy all the space our new house has to offer and be thankful we have enough room to spread out right now! I have definitely been taking walks every day the weather will allow. Stay safe and healthy! (And send coffee, working at home with a toddler is not for the faint of hearts.)
It’s crazy how surreal it feels shopping at a grocery store with empty shelves. And I grew up with Hurriances!
For me, I’ve social distanced myself from work due to the fact that I am 6 months pregnant. I made the decision to work remotely and just hang out here.
My husband works in healthcare and has been working his butt off at the hospital to make sure patients get fed.
We will all get through this!
Space and grace sounds wonderful. I went shopping this morning, one supermarket was completely empty of basics like meat, pasta, rice etc when they opened their doors at 6am. I was able to get most things at another one but still no rice, tissues, or paracetamol. Everything is closed here apart from the schools (but that will come). It seems strange not going to church or running my Girlguiding group. I have picked up about a dozen second hand books before my favourite second hand bookshop closes. I have to admit to being very worried, I do have problems with my immune system. My husband doesn’t seemed concerned at all which I actually find annoying, I feel that the should be worried for me but he’s not (maybe he secretly wants me to die for the insurance!). Thank you for a thoughtful post. x
Love those questions, love this whole thing, and love you. I am SO SO SO sorry Suzy’s School got cancelled…I was thrilled for you when you got in, and I’m heartbroken broken it’s not happening this year. I am so. so. sorry.
And agreed, it’s crazy to see what people stocked up on!
Grace + space is perfect. Love it so much.
One of my very best friends struggles with an addiction and she was telling me about how her meetings and groups have been cancelled. I didn’t even THINK about the effects of this might have on people who rely on that support. Great resources.
So far we’ve had a trip to TX/a family wedding cancelled, church, and today we had to close the doors on our business and lay off our employees 🙁