05_19-2020

Traveling in New Time Spaces in the Pandemic

Depending on what you consider as the start date, we have been in “stay at home” mode for over two months now.  As in any new situation, it takes time to process and adjust to new conditions that govern our behaviors.

I have been faithfully practicing the medical/scientific recommendations that we avoid contact with others outside what many are referring to as their “bubble.”  As I hear others use that term, they appear to be referring to people that are part of their family or people they are living with and who they can attest to following all of the social distancing recommendations and other healthy practices, like washing our hands frequently.

Through Zoom calls, I am able to see and connect with others, and while this is not as ideal as meeting over lunch or dinner with a friend, it is a way of having some sense of connection during this time.  I am also part of several groups whose members are able to share how we are each doing during this time.

Here is a range of responses that I am hearing.  As might be expected, I think the first couple of weeks living in these new circumstances was an adjustment period for most of us.  We had to think about what changes we had to make to our behaviors to protect ourselves from contracting the virus.  It has taken time to try and understand how the virus is spread, and what we each need to do to protect ourselves and others during this period.

We had to learn how to grocery shop in new conditions, how to put gas in our cars, mail packages, etc. We had to be prepared for shortages at the grocery stores initially and adjust our plans as needed.  And changes were occurring within many of these services as we were trying to adjust.  I remember the first time I went to the  grocery store after the aisles were made one-way.  It was bedlam initially as there was no introduction or explanation to pay attention to the arrows on the floor.  There were no practices for checking out, markers where to stand to stay at least six feet apart, etc.

But perhaps the biggest challenges we are all facing  has to do with how we are choosing to spend our time, and if we are holed up in an apartment or house with others, how do we find our own space.  The content of this Blog will focus on the former.

Once it began to dawn on me what this new space for us all might look like and how long it might last, and after a few days of feeling like I was untethered, I made a quick mental commitment that I wanted to use this time well.  Gradually, I worked my way into what that resolution might look like for me.  I fall short some weeks on meeting my goals, but at least I am striving for something healthy.

Basically, my goals include making sure that I am practicing good and healthy self-care which presently consists of walking daily, eating healthy foods, and remembering to take my vitamins each day.  My weekly goals along these lines include sitting meditations several times a week and adding some kind of weight training set of exercises since my gym has been closed during this stay-at-home period.

Once we were a little further into this, and I remembered that I had a Zoom account, I began setting up weekly Zoom meetings with groups that I was facilitating as well as gathering with a small circle of friends during the week.  I have just completed the work of getting my gardens started – an incredibly fun project – that has definitely cut into my writing time, but I will get back on a more structured writing schedule next week.

All of this leads up to the main idea of this Blog which is that we all have more time on our hands now.   We do not have access to the usual ways in which we can choose from to fill in our daily schedules.  There is no meeting anyone for a meal; there is no running some fun errands or shopping, even if it is to just look at items to get ideas about your Spring wardrobe.  We have not had access to a variety of activities we can use as a break in our routine or as a way to reset our mental, emotional, and spiritual outlooks.

We have been left to travel in time in ways that are new to us.  Most definitely, I think the more interior tools one has in one’s toolkit, the easier it has been to work one’s way through these spaces.   Having a job, working from home, and knowing that you can pay your bills have helped reduce the stressors that go along with the isolation.

Having multiple interests has also been helpful.  Reading, writing, exercising, cooking, and gardening have all given me some great ways to spend my time.  Finding ways that I might be of assistance to others as well as to myself have helped give me a focus.  I am involved in multiple Zoom meetings each week, and I spend time in developing materials to help facilitate our discussions.

One of my vision goals for 2020 was to look at ways in which I might simplify my life.  I would like to cut back on my spending so that I might be able to give more money to worthy charities.  This pandemic has been very timely in helping me realize that I can definitely meet that goal.  I do wonder if this extended period where so many have been working from home and dressing more casually will lead to a whole new approach to our clothing choices.

This experience has made me both aware as well as more grateful for the opportunities I have had to develop a rich inner life – including an ever-increasing desire to have a deeper spiritual practice.  Knowing how to ground myself and stay centered has been reassuring.

As we emerge from this, I know I will be even more committed to practices that focus on self-care that enables one to lead a life of meaningful engagement and service.  I have a strong interest in making sure that I make room for joy in my life, and this period has reminded me that self-care feeds my creative soul, giving me the energy I need to live with joy in a way that hopefully brings joy to others’ lives.