It seems the same tune keeps repeating in my conversations with friends over the last few weeks. How are you staying in good spirits during isolation? The question seems as important on an individual level as it does for their families. Times are uncertain and with no definitive end in sight, we aren’t sure what to tell ourselves, let alone our kids. While we all have our moments—natural in normal times, expected during this time—our family has been staying in good spirits and handling social distancing well. But before you punch me in the throat, hear me out.

I’m celebrating Everything

I post most of my days on Instagram Stories so those that follow me will know this is true. I post and celebrate every-freaking-thing. If I made a cup of coffee and enjoyed it in the sunshine, I post about it. Worked on an assignment with my kids—posted about it. If I remember a song I used to love, sat in our inflatable pool with a beer, or applied a face mask…I. Post. About. It. Why? Because I really believe that living a great life is about celebrating all the moments—not just the big ones or the milestones—but all the ones in between. Our little inflatable pool isn’t an Olympic beauty but it’s our slice of heaven. I call myself a Life Designer and Celebrateur…JOIN ME! Find the joy and mini-celebrations in every day.

 

Adapt to Survive

My first creative love is writing but with two kids to homeschool, I just don’t have the creative and attentive capacity to write for long periods of time. So I focus on writing short content for Instagram and sharing more Instagram Stories. I’ve also started creating more video content. It’s quick to shoot and editing doesn’t require complete focus. (Here’s a recent big hit video.)  Adapting to the times means changing what we know. But that’s how we survive.

Adapting to the times means changing what we know. But that’s how we survive.

Find the awesome

Shit is different. Truuuth. But there are some really cool things happening. A friend told me about a bar that was now delivering. Whaaaat?! Yes. I said the bar delivers. They bring a box to your house with the tools, glasses, booze, garnishes, and recipes for 5 drinks. The next day, they come back and pick up their things. The drinks were swoon-worthy and it was a super cool date night for Husband and I. This would never have happened under “normal” circumstances. There is cool shit to discover and new things to try out there if you focus on the inventiveness of the human spirit. Find the whole story here.

I am in Constant recognition of what we have

I think of parents whose kids are in college or living on their own and I know how much harder this would feel if my kids weren’t with me. I think of those who live alone and feel isolated and depressed. My husband is a teacher; an essential worker, but one that could safely work from home. My kids are home under our roof with us. We have food in our fridge and a stocked pantry, always. My parents are retired and can safely stay at home. My sister is also a teacher and is working from home. No one is a healthcare professional. No one is on the immediate front line. No one is sick.

We are very fortunate and that constant reminder eases my mind and soothes my soul when I feel overwhelmed. There are people risking their lives every day. Nurses and doctors who don’t go home to their families to protect them and whose friends and coworkers are falling ill. All I have to do to help and do my part is to stay home. It’s an important reminder for me.

I Have a “schedule”

You’ve heard it before but if you take nothing else away from this post, take this (and celebrations!) Schedules are boring and overstated but they’re simple and produce results. I wrote “schedule” in quotes because no one needs a strict docket to adhere to right now. (Heck, one of the really nice things about these times in isolation is that you could do whatever you damn well please.) However, a loose schedule helps maintain some level of normalcy and provides a small feeling of control. Keep it simple. Try waking up (and going to sleep) at the same time, stick to mealtimes, and keep those routines that make you feel good in your day-to-day routine.

For help creating a family routine, check out this post. 

I Stay in a rhythm

Speaking of normalcy, sprinkle that sweet stuff all over your day when and wherever you can. “Normal” is different for everyone. What is yours? It might be journaling with a cup of tea before everyone else wakes up. For me, “normal” comes from my morning routine: wake up, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, and make my bed. The rest of the house might look like the apocalypse but my bed is a retreat and that gives me so much comfort. And that’s it, folks. It isn’t extravagant or complex, just a few things I do every morning and those few small things help me stay in a rhythm.

This is also an easy and crucial thing to establish with kids. Every day our Alexa alarm goes off and they get dressed, make their bed, comb their hair, and brush their teeth. We finish off with a motivational song of the day. Sometimes they complain about it—because what kid loves to turn off the TV and prepare for a school day ahead—but I know having these simple routines keeps them feeling normal.

I Get my ass Dressed Every Day

This needs a category all its own. I have worked from home for almost a decade and the single most important element of starting my days successfully is getting dressed. Getting dressed signals to your mind that you are ready to go. Cozy PJs tells your mind to binge-watch TV with a bag of chips, which has its place some days. But, we know that’s not a long term plan, right?

I’m not saying you have to write the next Oprah’s Book Club novel or invent ways to bring clean water to impoverished communities during this time but you want to feel like you could. How you feel dictates what you get done. And getting dressed plays a big part in how you feel. Mindset matters more than ever, and keeping your spirits high can start with getting dressed and feeling good.

I’m Being honest that I don’t know everything

We live in a gated community and most everyone hunkered down when this first started but now many kids are riding bikes, walking their dogs, and playing water guns. My kids look like trapped wildlife in comparison. Mostly they’ve been fine but once in a while, when the other kids are playing and laughing outside our window, they understandably wonder why “the other kids get to play.”

My response is simple and true, “I don’t know.” I want my kids to know that I’m not passing judgment on others’ choices but I also want them to know that I don’t agree. I don’t know if other families have a child with asthma. I don’t know how other parents feel about these times and I don’t know what their situation at home is. Maybe they need their kids to be outside for their sanity or for their kids’ sanity. I do not know.

But I know that there is something about being a parent that makes us want to have all the answers and that leads to insurmountable stress because, let’s face it, we don’t have all the answers. Be honest. Talk with your kids. You can let them know that you don’t have all the answers and still help them feel safe.

i accept This sucks

We’ve already canceled some summer plans and am pretty certain we’ll have to cancel the rest. Some friends are leaving our school this year and moving to other countries and I’m not sure if I’ll get to see them again before they go. Some kids won’t go to prom or walk in graduation. It sucks. It all sucks. And it’s ok to feel like this sucks, but we can’t get stuck there. Breathe in the suckiness and radically accept that this is our current situation and then move on.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU’RE ALL DOING TO STAY IN GOOD SPIRITS.