We’re all finding a new normal right now. My hope is one day, far in the future, we’ll look back at 2020 and remember all the fun things we got to do as a family that year…
I know I said I would be back on topic this week but let’s face it, the world has been turning upside down since January and shit just got real in the states. I know it’s been crazy elsewhere in the world and I knew it was coming. This week I’m just not up for a normal “let’s go running!” kind of a post. Hope that’s cool with you guys if I stay off topic again this week.
Finding a New Normal in 2020
I’m not here to say I’m depressed or anxious about any of this. I have a normal amount of trepidation and anxiety, yes, but I’m doing everything in my power to be a thoughtful citizen of the world and #staythefuckhome with minimal contact with the outside world. So this post won’t be a Debbie Downer. Instead, I’m going to focus on the silver linings. Because my mindset has shifted a lot over the past three weeks.
Vacation is too short
When we went to Disney, we went to the parks and had family time from Sunday to Friday. I vividly remember telling my husband on Wednesday that I was already sad the trip was coming to an end. Not because I was sad to leave Disney but because I was sad to get back to reality. I wasn’t worrying about the blog, or fitness classes, or running all the miles while on vacation. My husband wasn’t stuck on conference calls or catching up on emails. Instead, we were free. We were free to be a family of four and enjoy each other and not fight or be stressed out. And it was so very liberating. A rarity indeed.
Upon arrival home and back into the swing of school, it was nice to be in a normal routine. But bittersweet, too. I missed the carefree days of spending time with my family.
And then life as we knew it flipped upside down. By Thursday we were told there would be no school on Friday. And by Friday we were told school was canceled until April 5. And as time marches on, it’s a strong possibility that school will be canceled indefinitely.
Finding a new normal
We spent the weekend like we would any other weekend. Playing video games, staying up later than usual, and relaxing. I cancelled all my fitness classes since almost every single one of my clients has kids and would have a hard time fitting in fitness classes anyway. And I prepared to homeschool my children.
Monday arrived and we had a schedule, school work, and a plan. And after that first day of finding a new normal, I patted myself on the back. We did great. My kids didn’t fight or squabble, we stayed on task through school work, they had lunch and recess, and after we finished “school” we went to the track for a little “gym” time. Day two has gone much the same.
Silver lining
Through these first few days of total uncertainty, I’ve come to realize a few things. First, I’m all about the hustle. I think it’s fun and challenging. I like tackling new projects and businesses, and watching them grow. But it’s exhausting. Being an entrepreneur and a stay-at-home-turned-working-mom is so beyond stressful I can’t even find the words to describe it. I do really enjoy it, otherwise I wouldn’t do it. But…
There have been so many times over the years that I’ve been so focused on the hustle that over time I lost sight of what matters the most. And that’s spending time with friends and family. Granted I can’t spend time with friends now, but definitely family. If there’s any silver lining to this COVD-19 nonsense, it’s rediscovering the importance of the family unit.
Holding it together… for now…
The second thing I’m quickly realizing is that while I’m generally not a stressed out person and I’m usually very healthy, hitting the pause button indefinitely is very liberating. It’s nice to have a week of vacation or a weekend road trip here and there. But those times are short and I feel that most of us have a hard time truly disconnecting for a short period of time. We carry a lot of anxiety with us and it’s usually self-created and self-perpetuated. Knowing that I don’t have deadlines looming over my head or races on my schedule is oddly liberating.
Third, I’m a crafty person. When we run out of school work to complete, you better believe I’m going crafty. And reorganizing rooms and closets. I’m really digging having time to do the things we’ve been putting off for days, weeks, months, and even years.
Upcoming challenges
There will absolutely be some challenges along the way. I won’t pretend to think otherwise. I’m guessing we won’t be going back to school for the remainder of the year. If that does happen, it will change my life and businesses in a way I haven’t considered yet.
But, things change and we adapt. For now, I’ll be posting bodyweight and creative-equipment workouts on both Facebook and Instagram. And starting next week I’ll include some of those here as well. And I promise, I will get back on topic at some point. I won’t say next week because who knows what will be on my mind then. But if this keeps up, I’ll go back to blogging two or three times a week so I can have a creative outlet and keep up with my running posts.
2020 will go down in history
As of right now there are a few major U.S. cities with shelter-in-place orders. Two states have cancelled school for the remainder of the year. I’m sure something else will happen between now and the time this post goes live.
While all of this sucks big time — not being able to see my dad in assisted living, being spread an entire country apart from my brothers and my mom — heck, I can’t even go see my aunt and uncle two streets away! All of this just sucks.
But there is a tiny sliver of silver lining. And that’s spending quality time with my kids and husband. My hope is that when all of this is said and done and we begin to pick up the pieces and begin finding a new normal once again, that we remember what’s truly important. And it’s not work, it’s not money, it’s not the hustle. It’s family. And finding a new normal.
And one day, far in the future, we’ll look back at 2020 and remember all the fun things we got to do as a family that year…
Wishing you all health and wellness in this trying time. Hugs to you.
xo
Let’s talk…
What’s one thing you know that stresses you out but you love to do anyway?
How are you finding a new normal in the time of COVID-19?
32 Comments
You have a good perspective about this! I also think I have a pretty normal level of anxiety with everything going on but once in awhile it hits me hard. I hate the feeling of not knowing when things will start going back to normal. I am a planner so this is definitely teaching me to let go of some of that control!
I’m a planner as well, so I totally understand what you mean. But I have to say, it’s nice to let go of that a little bit. Like a weight lifted. There are still things I’m stressed about yes (running retreat, I’m looking at you!) but for the most part it’s been nice to spend less time worrying about business.
Well I guess we are getting lots more quality time together over here as well. I am probably the most stressed over here right now. Trying to keep it all in perspective. Sticking to my workouts and runs helps to keep me centered. Hang in and stay safe to you and your family
Thanks, lady. You stay safe and healthy, too! I hope you guys are faring well and your stress level diminishes soon.
Great post, Rachel! It’s one we all need to take heed of as well. Things are scary, but (as we all learned after 9/11), we cannot live in fear…though we do need to be smart in all of our actions. Social media drives me nuts at times (with all the negativity), but right now it’s keeping me connected with some pretty amazing friends (I’m looking at YOU) 😉
I agree, social media is a little dicey right now. The memes are keeping me laughing, though, and comic relief is always welcome! And you’re right, things are scary but we absolutely cannot live in fear. Just gotta do right by our neighbors and strangers alike. #stayhome
Way to find the silver lining in the pandemic. It is forcing most of us to slow down and appreciate what we have, spending more time with those near and dear to us. We all should be able to look at the bright side like you did! 🙂
I hope others are finding the family time soothing instead of stressful. But I realize I’m in a unique situation because my deadlines and timelines are self-imposed. I don’t have to report to a boss to get my work done on time. I could see how this would be extremely stressful for parents that have to continue to work a full schedule while simultaneously homeschooling and managing their families.
I don’t think you’re off-topic – this pandemic is dominating all of our lives right now. I’m glad for your post and highlighting the silver lining – being able to spend more time with our kids and spouses.
Also, it’s a good exercise for society as a whole: to stay at home for the sake of protecting those at risk and for limiting further spreading. Take care and stay healthy!
I just can’t believe this is happening in our lifetimes. I look back at history and realize my grandfather was 10 during the 1918 flu pandemic. Which is the same age as my son now. I hope it’s another 100+ years before something like this happens ever again.
We are settling into our homeschool routines. It is weird but I am sure that we will find our groove. Stay safe and healthy! We will get through this!
My kids breezed through school work today already, so we’ll be spending the afternoon outside before all the rain comes our way. Hopefully your schedule and routine is going smoothly!
This change to our routine really is difficult but like you said, a good reminder about the stuff that’s truly important in our lives. And that’s the people we care about. Good luck with everything!
It is really a challenging time. But we have to make the best of it, right?
100% agree–I am so happy with the extra family time I’m getting right now. My youngest son is healing and now that school is cancelled for the rest of the semester (virtual classes now), I am happy to have him home with us. I don ‘t know that he agrees but it is what it is.
I’m doing more blogging–the creative juices are flowing! Too bad the cleaning juices and the marie kondo juices aren’t…lol
I’m glad he’s home with you!
My cleaning juices aren’t quite flowing yet either… I think that’s a day 24 quarantine thing…
Looking for the silver lining is so important right now! It’s kinda exhausting to always feel like you have to hustle, so I’m definitely with you on spending time with family + reconnecting with friends via phone/video chats! I’m still going in to work right now but hoping to get started on cleaning at some point!
I’ve been videochatting like crazy! Something I never did before. Well, not often anyway. It’s good to connect even when we can’t really.
<3 to you.
I don't even have a normal anymore. I have been "self-isolated" for months because of my injury, and now this. The unknown is what stresses me out, so you can imagine I am out of my mind LOL.
I am glad you had that last vacation with the kids. Those memories are going to help get you through.
I agree, the unknown is very stressful. We’ll get through it!
I’m generally a glass half-full type, so I feel sure that we will all get through this. It may be hard though. I’m glad my children are older so I don’t need to worry about home schooling or child care. I do worry about money though. And I worry about my husband, who is older and in an at-risk catagory.
I’m less worried about money and more worried about my family members who are in the high risk category. We’ll get through it but hopefully we’ll see some sweeping changes.
I think you are right in finding the silver lining. One concern that experts have right now, aside from covid-19, is the negative effects of being isolated – including depression. So, being able to find the light in our situations can combat that. Thanks for the post.
Yes, I agree. The effects of isolation are already wearing on so many people.
It sucks that we’re losing spring track – I was really looking forward to coaching the kids (as I’m sure you were too). We’ll look back on this time as a time when we could spend quality time with family and focus on the things that really matter.
I was really looking forward to track season as well. We don’t have a robust indoor season so we didn’t even get a chance there. And I feel so sad because so many of my kids are seniors and were looking forward to an amazing senior season.
Such a great attitude. I’ve been struggling this week and trying to stay as positive as possible. Def feels like a whole new world though.
It’s touch and go. One minute I’m positive and finding all the good. The next minute I’m like… k… is this over yet??
I love that you went off topic again. You have a great perspective on the situation and I agree with you. I’m also loving this time with my family and I’m just trying to stay thankful!
Thanks, Leslie. I’m trying to maintain semblance of sanity and order!
This is a good way to look at it! Yes, I am loving the extra time with my kids…the homeschooling piece? Not so much 🙂
I actually don’t mind the school part. It’s the free time that gets us into trouble. This week is spring break so they’ve been doing nothing and driving me bonkers!