It has been a very long time since I have done one of these posts. My last one was April 1st and thanks to Barbara and my mommy for encouraging me to post again.
The truth is that I have not been my best during the uncertainty that has been 2020. And it just hasn’t been the fear of getting sick with THE virus but the fear of its implications on our lives. I am an Event Manager and most in-person events were being cancelled. What did that mean for me? Then my country noticed (probably because it had nowhere else to look) that it was not wholly living up to one of its core tenets, “all men are created equal”. Did this mean anything to me? Should I do something? This past winter, the Hubby and I had been thrilled when the Buddy Man was accepted into a magnet program for the start of his academic life but with the virus, were we going to need to educate him at home? Most of that responsibility would fall to me and what would that mean for my work and my energy?
As I grappled with these questions, and others, I didn’t have the mental capacity to write anything for the blog. It was difficult just trying to stay sane much less, write coherent sentences about any of this. But, no matter what happens or how long of a break I take, the truth remains: I am a writer. And what is a writer without a reader? So, I am back to share what I have been doing, in the hopes that it might encourage someone else to be intentional about how they move through the world. Besides, sharing with you provides me accountability, which is always beneficial to me.
So here’s a few ways I’ve been staying sane.
- I tend to eat when I am stressed and I have been eating as a way to cope. But I am proud I have exercised regularly (more times than I haven’t) throughout this entire year, getting up as early as 4:30 AM to make sure that it gets done before the rest of my day takes over and I’m too tried to do it later.
- I have been very selective of my activities, and yes, I count virtual ones also because, for me, they incur almost as much trepidation and anxiety as the in-person ones. This was particularly difficult in late August because Mompreneur, which I was honored to be a speaker for and a member of the planning committee last year, took place a few weeks ago, and I just KNEW that I didn’t have the mental energy to devote to it. And so, I stepped away.
- I have been very selective of my media inputs, including news and social media, and have dramatically reduced my consumption of both. Of course, this has led me to wonder if, since I am reducing the number of things that I read, I should even post on my blog? Am I just adding to all the noise? Does anyone even care? Does it help anyone? Existential questions for another day.
- I have been reading, obviously from my Quick Lit posts which I have been proud that I have managed to continue, but I have focused on reading for fun. I have tended to read a lot of nonfiction, inspiration, memoir, etc., in the hopes of improving my life and my world. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, I like to do it and probably always will. However, my brain has not been able to handle a lot of “should do’s” to improve life. This year, I feel like I have been treading water most of the time, and so, I have been reading some great romance novels just to shut down the analytical side and escape into something that feels good and makes me happy. I believe it has helped.
What about you? How have you been coping? Comment below and if you have a monthly recap post, link it in the comments. I always enjoy reading them and let’s plan to do it again on Monday, November 2nd. Fingers crossed.
enjoy life…
shannan enjoys life! 
Good to see you back! I don’t watch much news anyway, but I’ve reduced even more. I’ve also “hidden” some of the more strident voices on FB and mostly just scroll through there rather than spending much time. I don’t want to give up FB completely, because that’s where most of my extended family hangs out. I understand about reading lighter fare during this time. When the pandemic first hit, I figured I’d get lots of writing done. But I found I couldn’t concentrate and put thoughts together well. It’s better now. But I usually read a novel along with whatever heavier books I’m reading.
My end-of-September post is here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2020/09/30/end-of-september-reflections/.
I’m glad that I am not the only one who struggled to put thoughts together. Thank you for checking on me. Thank you for encouraging me to come back. Thank you for being here.
Glad you’re back – always enjoy your posts. I’m with you on doing more reading for fun to make sure I’m allowing my brain to relax and have fun. Kudos to you for keeping up with exercise and reducing the media inputs!
Thank you, Susan. Thank you for being here.
Welcome back Shannan! Yeah, it’s been crazy, but since I wasn’t well-balanced, rested, energized, or organized before I don’t think I’ve had the same impact as others 😉 Biggest change for me is I’ve been working from home since March 30th (and I LOVE it!). One thing I added to the already super long list of things to do was volunteering for an election protection hotline. I figure in such an important election year (every election is important, but this is a big one) I can make this small sacrifice to help others vote. I can get my life together November 4th!
On reading, I check out tons of self-help/improvement books from my library, and the holds expire unread since I almost exclusively read thrillers and suspense novels. By the time I curl up to read, it’s to escape my day or relax so the non-fiction is a no-go 🙂
Have a great week!
Thank you Joy! Glad you enjoy working from home. It’s pretty awesome! And glad you’re finding a way to give back to the community that’s meaningful to you. I am also glad you are reading things that you enjoy. Thank you for being here.
Add to me to the list of those who are glad you’re back, Shannan. This has been a very trying year for me, too. Even as of a week ago I’ve worked up a new “plan” to help keep my anxiety under control and be more intentional about self-care activities.
I’ve done the opposite in my reading; I’ve been reading a lot of heavy books. That probably hasn’t helped my mood. ha. But in my case, they have been essential. I do keep a novel going at all times as well to break it up. Keep doing whatever you need to do to function and get through 2020! We’ll make it through, one day at a time.
Heavy books, generally do NOT help a dreary mood for me. But I always find myself reading them because I think, er, believe, that they are better for me and this will help me feel better. Lol
It always amazes me that people I do not actually know are interested in my words. So thank you for being here. Thank you for commenting.
And, “we WILL make it through, one day at a time.”
It’s great and refreshing to read this. It’s been a crazy year for all. Especially working moms 😉 happy you are back!
Thank you. And thank you for being here.
Thanks for returning! Missed this. 🙂
You’re welcome! Thanks for being here.