Life as we know it

COVID-19 came and changed our world. The way we live is completely altered, and I do not know what things will look like once we return to our “normal” way of life. What I do know is that I want to cultivate a new normal.

For the last week and a half I’ve been in my apartment overthinking pretty much everything. This has forced me to sit with all my emotions and thoughts - good and bad. I want to create more space to sit with my thoughts in the future.

All this extra time and the inability to see my loved ones in person has forced me to make more calls, use facetime more, and send more texts. I have found time for all the things I make excuses about not having time for.

Life is much slower. I am learning how to cook and I am making the most of what I have. I realized I don’t need as much as I thought I did and I definitely don’t need to spend as much as I usually do. I don’t remember the last time I purchased something other than food at the grocery store.

My heart goes out to all those who don’t have a safe place to go, the families having to decide between keeping the lights on or paying rent, and the kids whose only refuge was going to school. When I think of these things and of the families who have lost loved ones, the sick, the elderly, the business owners, and the cancelled life events my heart hurts. I’ve prayed, I’ve cried, I’ve thought a lot and I’ve taken action. I help where I can and rest when needed.

Right now I’ve found the best things I can do are to keep moving my body daily, eat healthy foods, stay connected to the people I love, and limit social media. And most importantly, I’m trying to remember we are all doing the best we can and “the best” looks different from person to person.

So cheers to less judgement, more love, and more community during this crazy, unprecedented time.

Much love,

Rachel