Since writing this column a week ago, I had a birthday, watched the first 2020 presidential debate, learned close family in another state tested positive for COVID (they are doing okay). Three granddaughters went back to college campuses, and the unfamiliar aspect of fall sports and schools makes me sad for our kids. In other words, my world seems full of crazy-making.
I don’t know how you’re managing your stress, fear, and chaos, but like vehicle tires, I need realigning.
I don’t use the word crazy unless I’m talking about life since March 2020. I mean it when I often say, “‘It’s’ crazy!” I can’t help but questioned whether life comes at me crazy or if my choices and thoughts contribute to the feeling of madness? I can’t do much, if anything, about COVID, politics, or getting older, but could I help calm my waters?
As I would suggest to someone else, I first look at myself. Am I doing all I can to combat the crazy-making? Without living in la-la land, is there anything I can do to let it affect me less? I came up with two questions and set myself down with pencil and paper:
1) What did I do before March that I’m not doing now?
2) What am I doing now that I didn’t do before March?
It took a while, but I came up with a long list of how my life choices have changed in the last seven months. I then condensed the list to the four most impactful items:
Number one is faith-based. Without attending church, I miss the camaraderie, plus truth and hope messages delivered in a kind and calm tones.
Number two is daily biking, walking, or yoga. Now, I mainly sit even though I still can enjoy doing all three activities.
Number three involves a lack of creative projects. I love projects and haven’t worked on a serious one since May.
Number four includes overindulging on wine, cheese, and no-color snacks.
Everything on my list is within my control to change. I just haven’t been making the same good choices. Somewhere in the crazy-making, I lost my give a hoot.
If you feel a little unbalanced from your present world, sit yourself down with a pencil and paper and make your list. It will be different from mine, but it can shed light on how you could tweak your daily activities to lesson the crazy-making—to feel more like your old-self.
I can safely say most everyone is sick and tired of COVID and politics and want our former regular to return. Use your list and change what you can. Empower yourself and return to the good habits you have let fade away.
Until the next time: Live while you live.
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Excellent advice as always Jennifer. I miss seeing you! But hopefully this will all be over soon, the pandemic and the politics! I’m doing more reading which I love to do anyway and going to my art room and working quite a bit also. I’m making jewelry boxes out of gourds. Something new for me to be doing. Not the gourd art but making a jewelry box out of them. I think I’ll even put them on Face Book later. Hope to see you soon. Stay healthy, safe and be happy.
Hi, Geri. I am looking forward to seeing your jewelry boxes. Let me know when you post them on FB. I have several artist friends who have been very productive during this COVID thing, and behind their words, I hear they are enjoying the solitude and creative time. If we just keep the TV on the Hallmark Channel we will do great:))
Good morning Jennifer. Yes I will let you know when I post the Jewelry boxes on FB. I’m almost finished with my 2nd one then I’ll post it. What I like about them is they can be used. It’s just not a piece of gourd art to put on a shelve for decoration.
Same right back to you, Geri. I am anxious to see your new jewelry boxes. I’ll bet they are stunning.
I put a picture on FB of my jewelry boxes if you want to see them. I should have taken a better picture with my phone so the art on the top would be shown more. But, oh well. If you want to see them send me your email address and I’ll send the picture directly to you.