It's been 46 days since Covid 19 literally turned our world upside down (and even more days since it all began).... 46 days ago spring break ended and my husband and kids were supposed to return to work and school, but sadly that never happened. Everything changed. Weeks later very few things feel familiar, except that I am still getting up and going to work 4 days a week, but like everything else my work is also very different.
I've tried to remain positive and hopeful during this crazy time. I've consumed motivational content, reached for joy in the chaos, tried to stay grounded in my morning routine and habits while encouraging others to do the same, but it's not always easy. I too have tough days. Nothing about this is easy. Whether it's the virus itself or the challenges it's created through stay at home orders and all this social distancing that has been required to slow the spread of the virus, it's difficult. A couple of weeks ago, I started to feel overwhelmed and saddened by the loss of what should have been. All the things on my calendar, now marked off and replaced by the words cancelled or postponed. So many fun events, celebrations, activities, and routines... just gone. Some might be rescheduled, but most are just gone.
We are all experiencing loss in some way. We are all mourning something, and I want you to know that it's okay to not be okay for a moment. This is hard. We are sad. We are worried. We miss things. We miss community. We miss our friends and the routines that made us feel normal. If it's not the loss of life due to Covid 19, it's the loss of life as we knew it.
Loss of community.
Loss of hugs and handshakes.
Loss of sports.
Loss of businesses.
Loss of entertainment.
Loss of vacation and travel.
Loss of job security - even healthcare providers are at risk.
Loss of money.
Loss of routines.
Loss of sleep.
Loss of services.
Loss of education.
Loss of goals and plans.
Loss of the things that lit your heart on fire and made you feel alive.
Loss of celebrations (prom, graduations, award ceremonies, weddings, celebration of life - funerals)
So much loss. And it's personal to each and every one of us.
But while there is loss, there are also some gains.
A lot of us have gained time.
Free evenings with our family.
New skills.
Stronger relationships with those we love.
Creativity.
Courage and strength.
Simple joys.
Acts of kindness.
Birthday parades.
Family walks and chats with our neighbors.
Meaningful memories.
Virtual connections.
A new appreciation for teachers, healthcare workers, people on the frontline, small businesses and literally everyone.
If and when all this is over with, and things return to normal or some type of "new" normal, will you look back on 2020 through the lens of LOSS or GAINS? Will you remember everything you lost during COVID 19, or will you remember this season when you gained a simpler life with those you love? We didn't plan for this, our calendars didn't include things like zoom meetings, homeschooling, virtual doctors appointments, online church, or virtual graduations, but we can still find joy in this journey, and we an still make new plans and goals for the future. There is light at the end of this tunnel, a rainbow after the storm, and we will persevere!
Stay strong, focus on taking care of yourself so you can care for others... fill up to spill out with hope, love, and kindness.
~ Allison
I've tried to remain positive and hopeful during this crazy time. I've consumed motivational content, reached for joy in the chaos, tried to stay grounded in my morning routine and habits while encouraging others to do the same, but it's not always easy. I too have tough days. Nothing about this is easy. Whether it's the virus itself or the challenges it's created through stay at home orders and all this social distancing that has been required to slow the spread of the virus, it's difficult. A couple of weeks ago, I started to feel overwhelmed and saddened by the loss of what should have been. All the things on my calendar, now marked off and replaced by the words cancelled or postponed. So many fun events, celebrations, activities, and routines... just gone. Some might be rescheduled, but most are just gone.
We are all experiencing loss in some way. We are all mourning something, and I want you to know that it's okay to not be okay for a moment. This is hard. We are sad. We are worried. We miss things. We miss community. We miss our friends and the routines that made us feel normal. If it's not the loss of life due to Covid 19, it's the loss of life as we knew it.
Loss of community.
Loss of hugs and handshakes.
Loss of sports.
Loss of businesses.
Loss of entertainment.
Loss of vacation and travel.
Loss of job security - even healthcare providers are at risk.
Loss of money.
Loss of routines.
Loss of sleep.
Loss of services.
Loss of education.
Loss of goals and plans.
Loss of the things that lit your heart on fire and made you feel alive.
Loss of celebrations (prom, graduations, award ceremonies, weddings, celebration of life - funerals)
So much loss. And it's personal to each and every one of us.
But while there is loss, there are also some gains.
A lot of us have gained time.
Free evenings with our family.
New skills.
Stronger relationships with those we love.
Creativity.
Courage and strength.
Simple joys.
Acts of kindness.
Birthday parades.
Family walks and chats with our neighbors.
Meaningful memories.
Virtual connections.
A new appreciation for teachers, healthcare workers, people on the frontline, small businesses and literally everyone.
If and when all this is over with, and things return to normal or some type of "new" normal, will you look back on 2020 through the lens of LOSS or GAINS? Will you remember everything you lost during COVID 19, or will you remember this season when you gained a simpler life with those you love? We didn't plan for this, our calendars didn't include things like zoom meetings, homeschooling, virtual doctors appointments, online church, or virtual graduations, but we can still find joy in this journey, and we an still make new plans and goals for the future. There is light at the end of this tunnel, a rainbow after the storm, and we will persevere!
Stay strong, focus on taking care of yourself so you can care for others... fill up to spill out with hope, love, and kindness.
~ Allison
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