Dear Reader,
How are you? Are you staying at home practicing social distancing? Maybe you’re “sheltering in place”. Perhaps you are one of the many American heroes helping others get through this. I hope you are healthy and safe.
Six days ago I started blogging again, reflecting on my experience during this pandemic. I wasn’t sure how many posts I would write, but after about day three, I felt the process cathartic. So here I am again, a middle-aged wife/mom/friend stuck at home in unprecedented times. My hope is you find yourself entertained, or maybe you’ll find something helpful. If nothing else, then this will be a record of what life was like during the Covid 19 Pandemic in New Jersey during 2020. So here we go…
Sunday mornings used to be for going to church. Being older and having gone through family tragedy has kept me connected to church. I didn’t go every Sunday when I was in my twenties and thirties, but now things are different. It’s funny how having our son made me feel compelled to join a church. While I would describe myself as more spiritual than religious, I have found myself quite involved with our church community. I especially enjoy watching how “church” is evolving: becoming more inclusive, providing opportunities to serve others, and finding people who have given of themselves freely when we needed help. The advent of Covid 19 (ironically during Lent) has been jarring to my Faith.
Since we can’t go to church, Sunday mornings have become just another day. Today I gathered up my courage, turned off the news, and plugged in my earbuds so I could listen to Monsters Among Us, my favorite podcast that I would normally listen to on my drive to work. Still in PJs and bathrobe, I grabbed the cleaning supplies, tuned out my family, and got to work.
About an hour and a half later, I conked out. But the effort felt good. Using my newfound wipes to clean doorknobs, remotes, and light switches made me smile. I enjoyed pushing against my hardwood floor with the Bona mop. Scrubbing out the sink wasn’t even too bad. Better yet, I felt as if I had accomplished something. Best of all, I wasn’t stuck to my phone, checking out the latest news headlines. Instead, I ended my cleaning spree by listening to Your Highest Self Podcast: Episode 271: Why This Is The Most Important Time To Find Your Light by Sahara Rose.
Her words spoke to me as a Reiki Master. This crushing fear many of us may be feeling weakens our immune system. Sahara claims that the FEAR is more dangerous than the actual virus. I tend to agree. Maybe the pandemic is offering us an opportunity. How many times have you ever wished you could just stay home? We can’t change what is happening. We can only change how we view it.
I am not saying that our current state of affairs is not frightening. I am not denying that many people’s livelihoods are threatened. And worse, many people may die from this pandemic. But being frozen in Fear doesn’t help you.
Cleaning out my home today helped me to clean away some of the fear. It is a ritual I am used to, one that comforts me and brings some sense of normalcy. So give cleaning a try. Begin with something small, such as emptying waste baskets. Or grab your Windex and clean the windows. Plug in your earbuds and dance as you vacuum. You don’t have to do it all, just clean a little bit. Then you have something positive to do tomorrow.
Namaste
Meandering Through Midlife 
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