CORONAVIRUS, HOW YOU HANDLE IT IS IN YOUR STATE OF MIND

Unfortunately, self-care/self-isolation isn’t the rule in everyone’s minds. There are many different reasons for that, from pure stupidity and selfishness to a strong desire to continue to financially support one’s family. but, it comes with risks. 

I admit, that when this whole thing started back in January, I was a skeptic. No one could imagine that the whole world would shutter and lock its doors and borders, fundamentally changing the way we live.

Life has changed for everyone. Plans for the future are practically non-existent. No-one knows how or when this will end. Everyone is in limbo with questions swirling around their heads. And people are starting to realize what the core of their everyday lives boils down to. Can they make it through this crisis without the everyday exterior bombardment of stimuli?

Now that COVID-19 is here to stay for a while, and as we are all hunkered down we have two choices in front of us. 1) to freak out, be anxious and fretful and run through disaster scenarios while watching hours of depressing news, or  2) to remain in control of our own personal environment and look out for opportunities to put positive thought into our being. To connect and share with others using our extra time wisely. 

I have decided on #2 – to look upon this period of isolation as an extended retreat. Believing that I can only be in control of my own life, I am doing so by being careful and following the rules to protect myself and my husband. 

I am seeing this time as an opportunity to be hopeful. If we can get the entire world to look deep inside themselves maybe they will consider this a chance for a reboot. That is far fetched, I know, but a girl can dream. It only takes a few committed souls to start a movement. I will utilize the lifestyle portion of our blog to set out some of my ideas as “Food For Thought” 

I wish that people are figuring out, through their current experience, that the extra car or two in the garage doesn’t feed them, entertain them, comfort them or support them. That the big house of considerable square feet can’t be talked to or learned from. And, sixty pairs of shoes that match their outfits aren’t going to keep anyone from being lonely. 

If you are not already, you should learn to be your own best friend and take time to explore and nurture yourself. No one else can do this for you. To start, think of what is important to your core being. Be relentless and delve into how you intrinsically are without distractions or relying on others. Now, concentrate on the results. What is there?

The world needs to simplify and do a collective think about what is truly important to be happy and still prosperous. And, I believe the definition of prosperous needs to change from things to experiences. 

Although Glenn and I sold pretty much everything we owned before moving to San Miguel de Allende, we still had three suitcases each (S, M, L). And over the past two years have realized that we could have done with at least a suitcase less each. We have taken the oath of experiences to heart and those are what we spend money and time on now. 

What we sold, that had any special memory or attachment to it, we took photos of first. Now over 2 years later, we have never looked at those photos. Never missed anything that we tossed or gave away. This was a lesson for us. We are more important than any other stuff. 

We have also been learning that there are many different ways to experience life, the good and the bad. Much of the way we handle life is in our attitude, and we should strive to expand its boundaries. 

I love this quote. 

“Remember, most of your stress comes from the way you respond, and not the way life is. Adjust your attitude. Change how you see things. Look for the good in all situations. Take the lesson and find new opportunities to grow. Let all the extra stress, worrying and overthinking go.”

We can look at this time as having fretful, depressing and gloom-filled days that paralyze us or we can embrace the communal feeling of connection without touch that is happening as people slow down and decide what is important to them. And show the world who they are. This gives me great hope.

What can be done in this time of stress and confusion? Stretch your mind on what your interests are. Now use this time to add elements to your life. You already did your assessment of who you are. Use that to expand. You are giving yourself all that extra time you have always thought you wanted. Make it count. 

WOW, the Internet is blossoming. The amount of free streaming content, museums opening their collections, operas being streamed, zoom being used for remote work and keeping in touch with friends and family and of course, some very creative and even amusing videos and posts arriving on my feed all through the day, gives me a great deal of positive energy. We have collected some in our previous post. Why can’t we have this all the time??

You might want to check out our post Coronavirus, Boredom Shouldn’t Be An Option

Learning should be for everyone and accessible all the time. Access to classes and the arts, something not everyone is privy to, would make a big difference in people’s perceptions of themselves. It would bolster their confidence in what they might think they can do. We need that in people right now.

It is also a time to contemplate where you live and where you feel valued. To me, the USA is showing the world its true colors. Its misplaced authority over the rest of the world is blazing outward as a display of the sham and propaganda machine it really is. Others are wising up.

Glenn and I did this exercise and moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 2 years ago, creating a marvelous life for ourselves that matches our goals. We have fantastic friends, a lovely climate and so many social opportunities we can’t keep up. Now with the Coronavirus we still watch streaming concerts, take classes, write, “visit” with friends, cook new dishes, and get to know your spouse and family again. Regroup. Not everyone needs to move. But, people do need to think of possibilities for their lives.

Our life is not focused on who we should sidle up to because they live in one of the mansions, or what someone can do for us, or who they are connected to. We find like-minded people in every economic category who just want to connect and participate in what San Miguel has to offer.

I love that feeling. It is something we have been searching for.

Let’s be cautious but also embrace the change of attitude that might be coming. I find this perspective a whole lot more calming with less fatigue than if I was spinning myself into turmoil. And, the less you freak out or worry about things you can’t control, the better your immune system. The more you can fight.

When it is over, don’t leave the lessons behind. Celebrate, be kind and honor those you include in your life. You are getting a second chance. Take it!! Our whole world depends on it!!!