cave chronicles
Isolation. Limitations. Nothing but time. Silence. How’s it going so far?
To all my kitties out there, hello from my little cave. How are you today - this moment?
We have literally been forced by nature to put our daily standards of norm to an indefinite standstill. For most of us work has ceased or at least significantly decreased, daily habits, outings, distractions…all the things we “had to do.” It’s all gone for now. Unsettling isn’t it? There is nothing quite like being left alone with your thoughts. Alone with all the feelings you’ve suppressed. Being stuck with the issues not only with yourself but with others that have been strategically brushed under the rugs of our very compartmentalized daily lives. If you have been pushed back into a situation that is damaging I’m so sorry and for your sake I hope this ends - go take over a side of the house and stay in it! If you are like many just struggling to navigate your new routines I hope you are encouraged to maximize this “gift” that has been shoved into our arms like that unwelcome vaccine as a child. It’s for our own good, as it was back then.
Here are some suggestions I’d like to share:
Spend some time in the silence.
It’s ok to let yourself feel what you’ve been suppressing for probably too long. There is nowhere to go. Nowhere to run. You might as face whatever it is and move on finally. Have a good cry, scream, meditation, whatever.
2. Do at least one thing that is productive each day.
Is it a home project you've been putting off? That messy pile you pretend doesn’t exist (we all have one)? Maybe something you’ve been wanting to learn, or that work assignment that you’ve been too busy to finish. Don’t get overwhelmed - that’s how we got here in the first place. Just start with one, and work your way through them. No pressure, no deadlines, and most importantly, no more excuses. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with how accomplished you feel. Not only will it break up the mind numbing monotony of your day by providing a sense of structure, but also think of all the things that you’ll get done over time!
3. Remember your passions.
Got any hobbies or hidden talents you forgot about? Break it out whatever it is. Now is your time. You’ll remember what you loved about these things. What you loved about life. Oftentimes these were our favorite pastimes because of the passion and joy they brought us. Maybe these were things we thought we would be doing everyday of our lives, but they got cast aside with “reality” and circumstances. Just think of all those nay sayers at home right now who told you you couldn’t make it who now are left to face the fact that they never developed any other skills or creative outlets. We are all in the same boat now.
4. Move!
Stay active! For all the gym rats and social butterflies, now is your time to learn how to utilize what you have at home to stay fit and stimulated. This is an opportunity to deepen or even start our fitness journey. You mental health and your love handles will thank you. Pick a time of day and try and keep it the same to keep yourself accountable and motivated.
As important as staying physically active is, don’t forget to exercise your minds too! Read a book, or an article. Listen to that podcast. Play a fun game with yourself or your family. These will add to the richness of your life; and while at first it may be a struggle to crawl out of our apathetic states - no one has every regretted it once they started.
In conclusion, let’s all just remember our humanness. Let this time put us in our proverbial places. Let us heal, rekindle, create, and live our lives like it actually means something.
xo
