Hi, Friends. We are in a weird time right now, and I’m not going to pretend like I’ve got answers or solutions, nor that I am functioning normally or “on my game.” I’ve struggled a lot through this global experience.
So instead, I’ll share a list of things that have been helpful for me – some a lot, some a little, and just clarifyย that none of it has been or isย a fix-all or cure-all. If any of these are helpful for you, I’m grateful. If any of these are not for you, that’s all good too.
If you have any recommendations for things that have been helpful for you, please share! I’d be happy to add them to the list.
Things That Have Been Helpful
๐ย Catching up with old friends from around the country and globe over messenger and text
๐ย Talking about things other than the-virus-which-shall-not-be-named
๐ย Going for walks around the block with my son (we also went with neighbors – they stayed on one side of the street and we went on the other side of the street)
๐ย Anxiety medication
๐ย Clearing out my garden and starting seeds
๐ย Growing seeds in the house so we can watch their progress every day
๐ย Self-Reiki every day, multiple times a day
๐ย Shamanic healing session by Lori Andrus (thank you, Lori!)
๐ย Swapping funny memes with my neighbor, Kristinย
๐ย Releasing cords of attachment to fear (thank you for the suggestion, Tonya)
๐ย Being gratitude buddies with my friend, Jen (thank you for inviting me to do this, Jen!)
๐ย A video post by Glennon Doyle (thank you for posting, Heidi)
๐ย Eating lunch outside
๐ย Noticing insects and birds in my yard
๐ย Processing my dreams
๐ย Crying
๐ย Talking to my husbandย
๐ย Being honest with others about how I’m feeling
๐ย Staying away from social media newsfeeds and news on TV
๐ย Staying home, except to pick up online orders from the grocery store
๐ย Eating more fruits and vegetables
๐ย Drinking only water and juice – NO caffeine or sugary drinks (they give me the same physical feeling in my chest as anxiety)
๐ย Religiously taking daily multivitamin and adding immune-boosting vitamins and supplements into my routine as well (thank you for the recommendations, Brandi)
๐ย Allowing myself not to complete things
๐ย Allowing myself not to plan things
๐ย Allowing myself not to “hustle”
๐ย Allowing myself not to touch my to-do list
๐ย Stepping back from 90% of my work and only focusing on my Reiki class
๐ย Taking naps when I need to
๐ย Getting fully dressed every day and keeping up with my hygiene routines
๐ย Trying a new simple art projects with my son, even if I don’t finish them
๐ย Not spending money except on groceries and other necessities
๐ย Shaman’s Dream Station on Pandora
๐ย Keeping track of the little things each day – books read, funny things my son said or did, special mail and gifts received or sent, movies or TV shows watched, favorite foods and drinks, etc.ย
๐ย Playing Nintendo Wii with my husband and son – my favorite is being the vocalist on Beatles Rockband
๐ย Taking photos
๐ย Surrounding myself, my husband, and my son with protective white light bubbles
๐ย Prayer
๐ย Puttingย my laptopย in the office so I’m not tempted to look at it every minute
๐ย Disinfecting all grocery packages and washing fruits and vegetables with a produce cleaner I found at Campbell’s Nutrition awhile back
๐ย Withdrawing my application to do readings at a big public event next month
๐ย Checking in with my intuition with any questions or concernsย throughout the day
๐ย Going by a menu for lunches and dinners so we know what we’re going to make when it’s time and no energy is spent trying to figure it out
๐ย Interesting and uplifting virtual series like Hay House’s “Radical Remission” docu-series (now over) and Greg Peterson and hisย “Urban Farm U” daily gardening classes
๐ย Saying “I love you”