So, how is everyone doing during this bonkers thing, pandemic 2020? What’s going on these days? Staying home and doing nothing like me? Fantastic! That is what we all need to do right now.
Happy Easter, if you celebrate that sort of thing. Happy long weekend if you don’t! So far, for me, isolation has it’s ups and downs.
Ups: I enjoy getting up whenever I feel like it, without an alarm clock. Also, have had a lot more time to be creative and bake cakes, make bath bombs (that didn’t explode like the last batch, thank you very much), paint pictures, decorate Easter eggs…the list goes on.
Downs: Missing family & friends. Being in an unmotivated funk. Loss of income. Guilt for not being productive enough, doing enough, using the time effectively, perfecting my home schooling techniques, cleaning my house, too much screen time, not enough exercise, eating poorly, etc. So basically guilt for everything.
Maybe I need to set some minimum goals for each day of pandemic isolation. Originally I had planned to get outside at least once a day with my kiddo, but that isn’t happening. Maybe shoot for 3-4 times a week? I had also planned a schedule of events for each day to keep things structured. They say it’s good for kids (and adults). The schedule is really sliding out of existence. Sigh. More guilt.
The good news is we are all alive, healthy and relatively happy. Other than all the guilt, I’m enjoying spending much more time with my family. I feel blessed that I can spend all day with my kiddo at this age; it’s a rare miracle allowed to me as a working parent. That said, it’s also not easy to manage his day to day. He is a very strong-willed child, and I am always questioning my decisions. Am I allowing too much screen time? Not enough educational activities? Not enough exercise? Could I improve his diet somehow? Is he eating enough fruits and vegetables? It’s getting kind of ridiculous, the pressure we put on ourselves in these times of strife.
I guess the most important thing is that as mentioned, we’re healthy, mentally and physically. We have it REALLY GOOD compared to many Canadian families in isolation. I am so grateful I found the FI/RE concept and community when I did. It has helped me prepare for this unforeseeable and insane event, unbeknownst to me until now.
How are you holding up during the pandemic? I hope you are managing well. I also feel quite fortunate to be an introvert – going no where, having no visitors, and being a hermit is quite enjoyable for me. Of course, I still miss time with my parents and friends. Trying to look at the bright side. Stay strong, and stay home.Â
“Guilt for not being productive enough, doing enough, using the time effectively, perfecting my home schooling techniques, cleaning my house, too much screen time, not enough exercise, eating poorly, etc. So basically guilt for everything.”
Interesting statement, this is pretty much how I felt last year when I started to cut my work schedule back. Well, save for the home schooling obviously. Not having a schedule, and not being ‘productive’ 8 hours a day stressed me out a bit. I felt like I was wasting time. After all I was choosing not to trade my time for money, was I getting the value I expected? Perhaps this is one of the reasons so many people that have already FIRE’d say that you have to have something to retire TO, not from. Most of us are creatures of habit and routine. Covid has completely disrupted our lives on every level. Maybe many of us were too busy before to have the chance to reflect on what slowing down looks like, and if we even know what we want it to look like. Obviously, we would all like to go outside and see our friends and family!!! But also, enjoy the fact that time can slow down a bit, and we don’t have to be our usual hectic, overachieving selves.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, we’re all struggling together. I’m grateful for our health, and that of my family and friends. I also do not know what we would do without the internet. It’s been great to stay connected with people.
Good to hear you’re all well. Cheers, MM
Thank you for your comment! I have a general, always there low level of anxiety about the guilt. You make a great point about having something to retire TO, and this experience has given me a taste of what it’s like to not have a solid plan. That said, there is lots to do, so why don’t I just do it? Something else is going on there, but I don’t know what. Glad you are well also, hopefully the craft breweries are delivering like they are here!