What Has Covid-19 Taught You?

So, here I am, approximately 3½ weeks into the “stay-at-home” order for So. California – as of now, we’ve been told we’re doing this for a little over another month – at the least. I find I’ve learned a few things about myself and I’m sure that trip down “Discovery Lane” is far from over. But, let me just share a few of the things which stand out right now.

I’ve always known I don’t like change, especially when it’s completely unexpected.

Discovery #1: I really don’t do well with sudden change! It’s bad enough when my freedom is restricted. Just ask my husband what it’s like when I have to admit I’m sick and need to stay home. But, this time around, they also took away Disneyland, access to the beach and my Dodger games!! Maybe one of these times when there’s yet another announcement of something we need to know, or do, or not do, I’ll be able to just shrug, smile and say, “Okay.” Let’s just say it hasn’t happened yet.

I’ve never considered myself a particularly moody person.

Discovery #2: I’ve unearthed moods in myself during these weeks that are so new to me I can’t even explain them, much less give them a name. And, I’ll be honest – I don’t like it at all!

How do you combat a mood you can’t name or explain except to say that you don’t like yourself when you’re in the middle of it? It may take me a while to figure this one out.

I’ve always known I was a “sunshine and warmth girl”. There’s a reason we continue to live where we do, and for me the weather is a big part of it.

Discovery #3: Lock me on our property and then give me three-plus-days of gray skies and nearly consistent rain like we had last week, and the result is not gonna be pretty! I found myself sliding down into a very deep pit that seemed darker than the sky outside and just as cold. I’ve kidded in the past that if I lived in Alaska, I’d be the one wearing the little hat with a specialized light attached to the brim, shining into my eyes. It just might be that I wasn’t kidding! Fortunately, things lightened up today and we had pretty consistent sunshine, so the pit is officially closed for now. Hopefully, I’ll figure out how to keep it permanently closed!

SO, what am I doing with all of this newish information? Trying to come up with solutions, that’s what.

Solution #1: Remind myself how very fortunate I am on a regular basis: I live in a beautiful area where I can go outside and walk for an hour and only see a few other people. I have a husband who loves me and wants to do things with me. I can be in contact with my family and friends as much as I want – just not in person so much right now. I’m in very good health – no chronic illness or injuries plaguing me. And the list goes on.

Solution #2: Get myself off my mind: pray for all of my family and friends on a regular basis and then broaden my horizons and pray for others – our leaders, our health care workers, our first responders, the doctors and scientists who are working to solve this issue, the single moms or dads who are home with their kids, all the parents who have been thrown into the deep water of homeschooling with no training or preparation, the people who live completely alone – that list goes on and on also.

Solution #3: Use the extra time to do something productive – maybe like writing a blog post! Or sending someone an email or text saying you’re thinking of them. Or doing something old fashioned like sending an actual card with a little note inside. Or, as long as we’re jumping into the deep end, how about cleaning out some drawers, or purging a closet, or straightening up and organizing your office? If you’re like me, the excuse for not doing those things is lack of time – not really valid anymore, at least for me.

And, I think I just threw myself under the bus …

Ah well … I’ll try to let you know how it works out …