Lessons from the Pandemic

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Dear Readers, What the pandemic has taught me.

Summer 2020 Atlantic city

Before the pandemic I had no idea how out of touch with reality I was. My reality a year ago was grinding and not making much progress in areas of my life that truly mattered. I was on a treadmill moving, but going nowhere, or at least I wasn’t seeing the progress for my efforts. I can’t be the only one emerging out of this pandemic a changed person. There is a saying that “ there is a blessing in the storm.” What has happened to this world was more than a bad storm, and regardless of whether our government withheld information about this virus, it came, destroyed, changed course and hit us with a second wave. It’s been 1 years and 2 months, and  we continue to struggle. Although we may have lifted ourselves above the eye of this pandemic there are people who are unable to pick up the pieces and move forward for various reasons. I have used all the available resources to ensure my mental and emotional health. Summer is coming and I looked forward to being outdoors as much as possible. I am thankful for the down time, peace and space to reflect on life. I have pressed the reset button here is what the pandemic has taught me.

1. I am not going back to the same work grind. 

2. I realize I can live on less and save more ( had time to reflect on the ways I was wasting money). 

3. I have a  plan for retirement that’s achievable ( before the pandemic I had no idea how to retire or what was needed to have a successful retirement ). 

4. I am finally in a position to change careers. During the pandemic I took advantage of online classes acquiring the needed certification for my new career. 

5. I will stop delaying traveling starting with this year’s  ( 2021) cross country drive from New York City to California. This has been on my bucket list for 15 years. And yes, I will be blogging about this experience. 

6. I will no longer deny myself any pleasure things like dining out, Broadway plays, weekend getaway, spa treatments, girls night out, spending the holidays with my mother ( she lives in South Carolina).

7. Finally going to adopt a dog I have been wanting to do this for years.I live alone and will welcome a 4 legged companion. I went through the pandemic home alone and it was difficult.

Most importantly, I am kinder to myself. Right now I am happier and peaceful than I have been in years. I am looking forward to the future with better clarity and with an achievable plan. 

To the people of  the blogging community remember this W.I. N. think about What’s Important Now?

Summer 2018 in California

Summer 2020

Thank you for stopping by dragthepen

Recovery Day

Dear Readers, 

Recovery day, some people advise taking a self care day. My question to you is do you take time to create a structured recovery day? While you’re thinking about the answer, bear in mind that some people become deeply caught up in the “ Grind” that they lose focus and the drive to create a good self care plan for them and family.  

Recovery day is an entire day off from physical and mental work. I am thankful that I live alone and my peace on recovery days is not disturb. Even if you live at home with family, think about introducing recovery day, especially if there are children in the home. Teaching children how to have a recovery day or down time will be helpful to their emotional and mental well-being, children will understand how to enjoy quiet time at home. Most homes are filled with  noise, chaos, 24 hours TV watching, video games, social media, babies crying, children running, playing, and fighting, and no one is paying attention to how all of this chaos and noise is affecting them emotionally and mentally.  

I am talking from experience. Growing up as a child privacy and quiet time was not taught it was frowned upon. My parents’ attitude was I lived in their house and should abide by their rules, so staying in my room for private or quiet time was viewed as being defiant. When I became an adult and started living on my own I began to understand the importance of developing good habits of structuring recovery days. 

 My rules for recovery day

1. No house cleaning 
2. Sleep late or just rest in bed
3. Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water
4. No checking social media, emails, or long phone conversations 
5. Think about the week ahead and plan 
6. If you have children limit watching television, read or play board games 
7. Have a family meal and talk
8. Connect with self wash your hair, give a self manicure and rub your feet 
9. If the weather permits take a walk

 Recovery day should end either by making popcorn and watching a good movie or continue reading that book you want to finish, and go to bed early time.  

Thank to for stopping by dragthepen.