April was a rough month, both physically and mentally. I struggled with the lack of a schedule. I went from a productive, let’s get stuff done, individual to an individual who chose to squander 24 hours every day. Don’t get me wrong, I started off strong: only allowing myself to read for pleasure or watch TV after 5pm, daily walks, online organizing classes, taxes, healthy food choices, daily zoom chats with friends, etc. But after only a few days, I fell off that wagon hard. I spent the majority of my time binge watching shows that I still don’t know if I enjoyed. I ate crappy food for meals and if I left my house for a walk, I considered it a productive day. I didn’t utilize my time to write the next Great American Novel. I didn’t post to my Status: Organized social media accounts or publish blog posts. I didn’t focus on working out each day to lose weight. I didn’t cook elaborate meals every day and keep my apartment spic and span. I didn’t find another source of income to pay my bills. (I did jump on a dating site but that only lasted one day).
I. Did. Nothing.
And you know what? I’m okay with the month of April. I realize it was 720 hours spent watching TV, eating junk food, and sitting on my couch, but it was all I could do just to get through the days. Some days, I was upbeat. Other days, depression overwhelmed me and I barely moved from my bed or couch. This isolation made me realize how much I need that human connection. The ability to just sit with another person, talk, hug, exist in each other’s bubbles.
May 1st, Governor Abbott announced that Texas was reopening. I could return to work! Oh the relief. But, during this time, my mom and I were anxiously awaiting CoVid-19 test results. She had all the symptoms; I had zero symptoms. BUT we had just seen each other for the first time in almost 4 weeks and 3 days later, she developed a fever and coughing and no energy. I wondered if I caught it somewhere and had infected my mother. Luckily, both our test results (and my dad’s) came back negative.
Which meant….work! It felt amazing to physically work, to move, to help people again. There was pure, beautiful joy in finally experiencing a productive day. I realize many people are hesitant to allow non-family inside their homes and it will take time to build up my business again, but I’m just beyond thankful to be using my brain, my hands, my heart.
Working again has led me to be productive in other areas as well. I’ve started eating healthy again, added weekly virtual yoga sessions with friends, am writing, caught up on all emails, keeping my apartment clean, thought about how to build up my business, took a few classes, and transitioned my NAPO board position.
Honestly? I just feel great. My endorphins are swarming. Serotonin spiraling. I danced and sang out loud yesterday when I was making breakfast! May life compared to April life has turned 180* and it’s a wonderful, amazing feeling.
I hope our futures are brighter because of these times. I hope that families continue riding bikes together and that parents will now leave work on time. I hope that people care, just a little more about other people, and that empathy continues to be felt for humankind and individual situations. I hope, going forward, as the world opens back up to 100%, that we all take a deep breath, and just enjoy each other. Be thankful.
Today, I’m thankful for the following:
-Fellow organizers who have hired me on various jobs.
-My clients who have joyfully welcomed me into their homes.
-Mary Jo for getting me out of the house to walk.
-My three nephews who saved my sanity with their laughter and dancing.
-My parents who checked in on me and always offered their home if I needed it.
-Amber and Evans who invited me to join their virtual yoga sessions.
-Corey and Melissa who checked in when I needed it most.
-That I’m working, that I’m healthy, that the sun is shining, and that the world is on the mend.
Here are a few of my favorite motivational quotes to help you through any April kind of days:
