What a crazy time we are all living in. A few months ago it seemed like everyone I knew was saying things like “people die from the flu all the time” “this isn’t any worse than the flu” “the media hypes everything up” etc. And wow, those people have become silent. The Coronavirus is scary and we do not know when all of this is going to end. My job was trying to keep their doors open for as long as possible until last Monday. Now my fiancé and I are both working from home. I was wanting to work from home for so long because I felt it was the only way to keep healthy and safe. My fiancé was working from home for two weeks before I was.
Now that we are both home all day every day, he has taken over the dining room table because he has two monitors and two computers that he uses. He is making calls all day long. I only have a laptop so I have taken the bedroom. It is a scary and hard time but I am hoping and praying that life will return to normal soon. One of the best things during this time is that I have tried to establish a routine. Obviously it looks different than it used to. I also don’t have a lot of actual work to do so I am trying to fill my time. I get up everyday when my fiancé’s alarm goes off but then I go back to sleep for however long I want. I feel like I might as well take advantage of getting to sleep in while I can. Once I wake up, I make breakfast for him and I, start the coffee pot, make the bed, and then jump in the shower. Once I shower, I turn on my laptop and check my emails, jump on conference calls, make changes to my calendar, etc. Then I make my bed every day even if I am going to be doing work on my laptop in the bedroom. I think it is important to keep our apartment clean and tidy especially during this time especially for my mental health. Getting outside is really important to me. I need fresh air and sunshine right now more than ever. I have found a good 3 mile walk that I take. I put on a podcast, put in my airpods and just go. It is so nice to have a little me time and just to be out of the apartment for a little bit. There is also a middle school near us with a track that we have . been going to just to walk/run a few miles,
Spending all of this time together could be difficult for couples or families which is normal. Of course you are not used to spending 24 hours a day inside with your significant other so I think we all need to remember that. These are not normal times. We all need to practice patience and have a little grace with one another. My fiancé and I are working in different rooms, but we have lunch together every day and a few times throughout the day we will take a break and check in with each other. We have been watching Netflix shows together in the evening, playing board games, making dinner and cocktails together and genuinely enjoying our time together.
Times are tough but we will get through this. There are worse things then being stuck working from home. My heart goes out to those people who have lost their jobs and especially those who have lost family members. Currently we are planning a wedding and it is stressful but I know so many other people have it so much worse. I am trying not to complain. We have had to reschedule my bridal shower, bachelorette party and honeymoon but as of now our wedding date is still the same. Saying a prayer it wont have to be changed because we will loose so money and having to reschedule vendors. Anyways, hoping that does happen! We will get through this but if you are feeling frustrated, sad, angry, lonely, let those feelings out. It is normal and you are allowed to have feelings! Do not let anyone tell you how to feel! You can be sad and anxious and you can miss your friends and family and be worried for their well being.
So many people are trying to positive which the world needs right now. We need positive vibes. You can use this time to read, watch tv, enjoy movies, clean your home, skincare, paint, learn a new language or instrument, etc. You now have the time to do things that you normally cant because you are working and just trying to take care of your family and make it through the day. You can facetime with loved ones, zoom call your friends and have a virtual cocktail hour, learn a fun Tik Tok dance, organize your clothes, go through your closet, clean out your cupboards, etc. Even if you feel dismayed, you can do some positive things for yourself. The biggest thing for me right now is cleaning. I have organized my closet and my dresser, I started reading a new book, and I clean almost daily. Also not wearing makeup has done wonders for my skin. I am stressed and anxious but I am choosing to make the most of it. I am getting outside when I can, not going to the grocery store unless I have to and trying to be at peace. This is hard but we will get through it. Also turn off the news. I am purposely not watching because it was causing me to be so stressed and we are getting so inundated all day long I just need a break from seeing our president on the tv and calling it “breaking news”. China is seeing less cases and now so is Italy. People are recovering. Hold onto that! We will get through this and may we never take going out for granted again. Stay safe and wash those hands!
JustJessica 