The Coronavirus/COVID-19 is taking over. While the virus may not have made its way to a majority of our bodies, today its presence still looms in the media, conversation, workplaces, etc. In one way or another, we are all impacted. Schools are closing for a time. Toilet paper suddenly became an endangered species in grocery stores, scarcely seen and hoarded and protected when spotted. Vacations are getting cancelled. People are practicing “social distancing” to minimize the spread of this virus. Recent travelers are quarantined. Major sporting events are cancelled or postponed. Employers are sending employees home. Finances are becoming a source of stress.
I’m not going to comment or make an uneducated assessment of the global and U.S. reactions to COVID-19. As they say, opinions are like buttholes. We all have them. I’m not a scientist, doctor, or disease expert. I don’t know if we’re overreacting or underreacting at this point. Like most, I’m just a working American who is affected by this virus without having contracted it. My income will be affected… a lot.
In other words, I’m starting to get nervous. How long will this last? What are the long-term effects of these preventative measures?
I don’t fear the virus, per se. I’m healthy and most likely could recover fully if I contracted it. I’m not in the high-risk demographic. But I really don’t want to be a carrier to my loved ones or those who are in the high-risk demographic. Safety really is paramount here. I know that. I understand the reasoning for some of the containment measures being implemented.
I’m not here to merely complain.
I tend to be a pessimist if I’m not careful. I assume the worst so I won’t be disappointed. I’ve actually said those words before. It’s easy to see the negative rather than the positive, especially in situations like this. Positivity can feel like trying to find a can of Lysol spray or toilet paper right now. We have to really search for them, and sometimes they’re found in unlikely places.
I started my day negatively today, and I’m really trying to finish it positively. I can’t change a lot of what’s happening, but I can control my attitude.
I’m sitting here trying to see the positives around a lot of the negatives. How can good come from my situation? My day job is shutting down amid the government mandates. Other sources of income are postponed or cancelled. I don’t understand enough about this virus yet.
Today I tried to use humor to make myself feel better. I joked about “social distancing,” saying it was an introvert’s dream. Stay away from people? No problem.
So why am I dreading it now that it’s basically mandated?
One thing that keeps coming to mind is the idea of connecting amid social distancing.
What better time to hit the pause button and re-evaluate where I’m going in life? Do I need to make any changes? There’s been a disconnect between me and my goals lately, largely due to overall busyness. I do think it’s time for a self-connection check-in. I’ll have some free time starting tomorrow. It’s time to delay no more, my friends.
Not only that, but social distancing doesn’t have to mean withdrawal. We can’t stop our lives completely, but we all have something that unites us right now: avoidance of a virus and maintaining some sense of normalcy as we deal with it. Our lives still have the same problems and struggles. COVID-19 and the ramifications – health, economic, and beyond – just got added to all of our plates.
Maybe today is the day to reach out to someone I haven’t talked to in a while. Maybe someone in my life has seemed off lately and could use a text or call. Maybe there’s someone I could connect with during this time.
Maybe I simply need to be more present where I’m at.
I can see how this one applies to me a lot. I can have a hundred mental to-do lists going through my mind at any given time. I can get distracted by my own ambition. I’m well aware of this. I don’t always notice the things that matter, like a friend who seems down or someone at work who could use a hug (pretend ones or virtual because, well, you know, corona).
Even though I’m socially distancing like most people, there are opportunities all around me. There are opportunities to get closer to people and show them the good in humanity in a tough time. There are opportunities for me to check in with myself, something I preach but don’t always do often enough.
I’m not thankful for COVID-19 by any means. But I am thankful for the reminders it’s brought me today.
Life’s handing us Corona. If there are any limes left at the stores, shove a wedge into the Corona (because, Vitamin C), and call an old friend after you check in with yourself.
It’s going to be okay (she types as she realizes she doesn’t like beer very much, and this Corona/lime analogy was a little cheesy). #sorrynotsorry
Embracing the typos till next Monday-ish!