Lessons From Social Distancing
A little over one month. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve been asked to practice social distancing. I think back to a month ago, and my days looked quite a bit different from how they look today. For me, life social distancing and in isolation has created more free time in my every day. And so far, I’ve learned (or re-learned and solidified for myself) a few things along the way.
Routines matter.
I’ve had a day or two in the past month where I slept in or never changed out of my pajamas, but those are the days I am least content with how I spent my time. For the most part, I’ve been getting up at the same time every day to make coffee and read for a while. Each day I make a plan for how I’d like my day to go, and I create a loose schedule for myself from there. I am not being overly ambitious about what I can get done, but I go to bed satisfied knowing that every single day, I am accomplishing at least one thing that is making me better than I was yesterday.
Just because something has worked before doesn’t mean it will again.
Or, just because you have been able to cut frozen English muffins with a serrated knife a few days in a row doesn’t mean you should keep doing it. Sometimes the knife slips, and you learn a bonus lesson: superglue can be used to hold a cut closed once it stops bleeding. But really, this moment was also a reminder that just because something works doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Things have a way of always changing, so you have to change too.
There are plenty of things to do other than binge shows on Netflix.
Not profound, but it has been a game changer for me to know that even though it’s an option, I am not losing hours a day to the are you still watching button. I am not a skilled binge-watcher anyway and no, I am not going to watch Tiger King. If it works for you, great. But I would much prefer to get lost in the pages of a book or lose an afternoon to a puzzle or pick up another random hobby.
Who you surround yourself with matters.
Sure, these days my physical proximity bubble is my husband and my dog. And both of them are pretty darn awesome. It is a daunting task to spend all of your time in close quarters with other people, or alone with yourself if that’s you situation. In our house we don’t usually spend all of our time together, but it’s been a great experience learning how to better spend time alone together. Being able to give each other space in close proximity means that we are also actively enjoying each other’s company every day. Each day reminds me that I’m incredibly grateful to be one part of our pack.
It matters who you have in your corner.
Or, who you surround yourself with matters, beyond those in your physical bubble. Your friends, your family, and the other people you choose to give your energy to all matter. A lot. You can choose to spend your energy on people that drain you, or people that give you strength. You can choose to see only how this global pandemic is affecting you, or you can accept that everything about this is so much bigger than you.
The people you choose to have in your life help shape your attitude and your outlook for better or for worse, and you always have a choice of who those people are. This pandemic will be very telling of what kind of people you hold close and for me it’s been confirmation that I have great people in my corner. I’m spending time on the phone and writing letters to let these people know how much I appreciate them being in my life.
We don’t need nearly as much as we thought we did.
There are things I miss during this time, but I have found that I can create mini versions of those experiences at home. I’m looking forward to being able to travel again, to visit people I love and experience places. But in the meantime I can step outside for an adventure in my own neighborhood. I miss sipping coffee in a local coffee shop. In the meantime, I can brew a cup at home and savor it over a chapter or two in a book. Or, I can jump on a virtual happy hour when I miss meeting up with friends for a drink.
Most of the things I miss are actually experiences, and I can wait patiently until they get to be part of my every day again. In the meantime, I can spend time learning to be amazed by the simple things I’m sure I used to take for granted.
