Hi friends! Today is Friday, February 12, 2021. Day 329 of this pandemic. Or I should be more specific – day 329 of being shutdown and in isolation. 329 days of this BLEEP! I must be honest and say that I am beyond sick and tired of this. Not being able to safely go to places other than the grocery store is a real bitch! And when I learned I couldn’t even go to the library (duh! totally forgot that that would be considered nonessential), that is when I realized just how sick of this whole thing I truly am!!! And it doesn’t help to be stuck with a roommate who has been unemployed for nearly year either. Yeah. I said it. And I know that now parents are stuck in the house with their children ALL DAY. And spouses and significant others are stuck together ALL DAY. So, I am sure others of you are feeling exactly what I am feeling. When will this EVER end???? A lot of people are now saying that 2022 we will be free of this mess. And as the topic suggests, we are going to talk about maintaining our sanity during this rather unusual time in our lifetime.
I want to start off by saying that I am not minimizing the suffering and, especially, the deaths that have resulted from this pandemic. I am in my own way being selfish, because for me this pandemic is an inconvenience, as for a lot of us. Again, people have lost their LIVES, their jobs, incomes, houses, etc. So, me being inconvenienced is NOTHING compared to that. So, my heart definitely goes out to those who are REALLY suffering.
But let’s talk about how can we ALL cope. What are we doing to keep ourselves from going completely crazy from this? Well, I try to keep my spirits lifted through meditation, LOTS of music, and yes television. But I am also blogging, of course. I am an actor/writer, and writing definitely has been keeping me busy. And sane. Though I am not acting on the stage or in film at the moment, I do still have my job, where I do get to act. And so, believe it or not, my job is keeping me sane. I can honestly say that my current job is one of the best, if not THE best job I have EVER had!!! We are remote, which is FABULOUS! And I get to see and work with people I actually love and respect and enjoy being around, something I RARELY found on previous jobs. And I know that I am indeed lucky and blessed in that regard.
But back to coping mechanisms. Breaking it down.
Meditation:
I have actually been starting my day off with meditation and affirmations for YEARS now. And it really and truly has made a difference in my life. I feel clearer and more focused and upbeat and positive. Do I still have the intrusive thoughts? Absolutely. But I feel that I can reframe them a bit better. Meditation is different for everyone. I actually have a whole routine I do EVERY morning where I do affirmations, focus on money, positivity, mindfulness, gratitude and I even do Wonder Woman spins. LOLOL Truth! Meditation can be prayer, thankfulness, or just simply sitting (or lying down) quietly. Whatever works for you.
Music:
Oh my GODDESS! Whatever would I do without music??? Music is universal, and we NEED music! I start EVERY morning off with music, as well. And yes, when I am doing my routine. I feel that it REALLY pumps me up and gets me in the mood and ready for the day. I even listen to music when I do my other job, which also happens to be remote. Music is so uplifting, so positive, and energetic. And if you have read my “about me” page, then you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 70s and 80s music!!!!! It just sets the tone for my day!
Television:
So, yes. We are all doing it/have done it – Ye Olde Binge watching. I have gone through “Cobra Kai,” “Nurse Ratched,” “Golden Girls” SEVERAL times, The Three Stooges, old soap operas, and I am still watching “This Is Us” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (CHRISTOPHER MELONI IS RETURNING TO SPIN OFF TO HIS OWN SHOW – ORGANIZED CRIME!!!! YES!!) Anyway, I know there are those that would advise to not do this ALL THE TIME, but I am not going to say that. I am not saying DO watch TV all day long if you have that chance. But I will say that television is a great escape. I would suggest putting some limits to it and do other things, like listen to music, exercise, write, garden, or do other hobbies.
Which brings me to blogging and writing:
I made the decision to start blogging back in November of 2020, and I have not regretted it. When I heard that I could (possibly) make money doing something I love, which happens to be writing, I was like – well, let me give this a chance. And this isn’t the only reason I am doing this. I do hope to help others like myself who suffer from some sort of mental “unwellness, ” as I like to call it. Putting my ideas to paper – or in this case, the computer — has been very therapeutic for me. I have always enjoyed writing, ever since I was a child. Creating, crafting and putting things together. I am writing my own soap opera, too. And I am proud to say that I am up to Season 2, Episode 9. And I think before the pandemic, I was still in the middle of Season 1. So, I have definitely made a LOT of progress. So, I have been busy during this pandemic.
Plus, my children’s book is about ready to be thrust upon the world. FINALLY! After FIVE years of working on it!!! Goodness! I know my illustrator will be happy when it is out there LOLOL
These are just some of the things I do to maintain my sanity. (because, again, my roommate has been unemployed for nearly a YEAR! And he is not helping my sanity by being here. All. The. Time.) 🙂
Oh yes, I must give honorable mention to exercise. I do exercise, though I don’t think it helps me maintain my sanity. But I know that it works wonders for others, which is fantastic. I love to dance and lift my little barbells for my exercise.
Another honorable mention must go to cooking and baking. This is something that I have picked up during the pandemic. It is a good thing I am not (too) overweight! LOL
In summation. do what is best and healthy for you. And no, no one is going to judge you for eating, drinking, or overindulging from time to time. I would suggest, perhaps, looking at alternatives from time to time just to maintain overall health and wellness. That’s all. Because I definitely have a cocktail from time to time. I am human. I am honest. And I am being transparent when I say that. And one could even say that I have DEFINITELY “made love” to my food LOL
Anyway, thanks to all who are reading this! Be safe, healthy and stay well during this trying time! All the best!!!
