Why I Loved Quarantine...Back to Normal-ish (?)
First off, let me apologize for ghosting y’all in the pandemic. Mad appreciation to those of you who have read my first few posts. I’m glad this was the year I finally got this project off the ground, and I have received great encouragement. Many blessings and gratitude y’all! Long story short, I’m back and I look forward to writing more posts for everyone as we try and make the most of this COVID-19 summer.
So, the state re-opened. I’m mixed about it. I’m glad to not be as restricted, but I have to admit I’m concerned about the areas already seeing new surges because folks have also carelessly thrown away the precautions to keep those around them safe. I’m back at work in a hybrid fashion and I’ve learned that I only love remote if I get to chose where I’m remote from day to day (like on a beach). No matter where my “office” is it can’t be the same longer than a two week period. I need variety.
I’m still working out, which is a magnificent win for 2020. I can jog a whole quarter mile without passing out due to lack of oxygen. Major victory! My body actually craves movement/fitness again, just like the good ol’ K-12 days. It was my favorite form of play then, and I’m glad I’ve tuned back into it. Side note, a lot of my work clothes still didn’t fit, and that’s more than ok. I’m happy and healthy and that’s all that matters.
It’s amazing to me that going back outside has already shot my food spending up like 200 percent. I opened my own personal Mint app like, “who the heck is eating all this food?” June has been a wake up call that I may need to be stricter in how I police my wallet when I step out the front door. I refuse to start eating all my money again. Meal prep game is about to get really tight. (Please share any budget recipes!)
Me and my boo survived being quarantined together, and I think we’re even tighter for it. Consider the relationships you had going into this experience. Who did you communicate with more? Who did you lose touch with? Sometimes we cultivate relationships by way of location and proximity. That’s not to say drop who you didn’t keep up with, but establish how you all are going to maintain a strong connection that’s not place-based. I realize my local relationships suffered the most because my long-distance folks and I already had an established virtual routine.
All in all, I hope you take time this week to reflect on the bright spots of quarantine. The pandemic gave me a much needed slow down to reprioritize my health and well-being. Just because the powers that be are trying to usher us back into normalcy, that doesn’t mean your life should go back to the exact same way it was February 2020. My mission this summer is to make sure very little goes back to normal inside and out.
Be Well!