Things I learnt from Quarentine. Be a fashion Mavis Its ok to take scissors to clothing you bought because the dreaded "what was I thinking" syndrome. You've seen the transformation videos not the 5min crafts ones those don't work. Then you cut the sleeves off and make it into a v neck, boom! Now I never want to take it off. Truth. I also made sweat pants into shorts best decision ever, my yoga pants are next. Now I see things through New Quarentine eyes. I'm looking to convert everything. Declutter, zen there,craft here, now time to customize! Make a schedule It may sound boring and anal, you would be surprised at what you can accomplish when you schedule it. Schedule everything, all the things you love as well as the chores. Following a schedule is not just for busy families. Being scheduled does not mean you can't be spontaneous, you could leave a block somewhere here and there. We all have things to do for ourselves and often for others. Sometimes we need to bend like the reed in the wind. You won't sweat the small stuff cause its all manageable and doable. Dislike chores? Think of it now as a ritual that do for those you love; including yourself. Example as a child my mother was known as the Dragon Lady. Our beds and rooms needed to be clutter-free and spotless always. As an adult I have chosen to let slide a few things here and there. Making my bed is a testament to my complicated relationship with my mother that made me who I am today. She is no longer living, still I feel close to her. When I did try to let it slide, it was so strange not to make it, I should leave myself a chocolate too 😋 How to Follow a Schedule The key is to break down larger tasks into 20 minuts segments. To manage energy better toggle rest, activities, work and play. Include coloring, puzzles and crafts, things that are fun. Remember to schedule some quiet time and exercise as well. Having certain activities planed on different days will give you something positive to concentrate on and look forward to while your cleaning out the fridge or microwave. Not while driving, please watch the road. So you want to get into better shape log it on your schedule and know that your helping your brain too during these stressful times. Sometimes we have to be our own best friend and activity director. Prioritize
Everything has its time and place. Plan for tomorrow for today. Basic needs first. Time for cleaning, organizing short or long term projects. It can also include time for reducing stress, thats good for everyone. Reducing social media time, computer gaming and online/screen entertainment. I have found less is best for me. I replaced the time spendt on those things with baking, learning a new hobby, doing crafts, small home improvements and music. I also limit my Social Media exposure time. I suffer from a list of medical symptoms so max 2 hours over the course of the day is plenty social interaction for me online. If you are a SMI(social media influencer) social media is your job then its even more important to have boundaries. As an x graphics designer often I'm on a social media purge. I'll go a day or 2 without my phone on me. Then I limit to what is a healthier amount. I pay for it with swollen eyes, migraines and more stress. Whether we accept it or not the news affects us all. We need put things into a healthier perspective too with all the miss information that goes on out there online. Cultivate a sense of humor With all the doom and gloom that comes with this world, my brain,body issues, the Covid out there with my self isolation. Comedy and tradegy have never been closer. Watch some Dry Bar, its a hoot! Being human we have the ability to laugh. Humor is healthy for us in many ways. It can help change a bad mood into a better one. Laughing actually causes a positive physicalogical response in our brains and bodies. As does music. So get busy laughing, singing and dancing.
Old dogs can learn new tricks. Where our bodies may fail us as we grow older, we do become more resilient and wiser. We adapt, learn and convey. Yes some better than others. As we are what we eat, we are also what we think. Joy, contentment, peace and happiness is available to all no matter the situation. Transcendental meditation is key, a healthy lifestyle, good diet(no processed or fake food) and balance in all you do. Not as easy as it sounds. Like anything else worth doing, it takes time, practice and patience to juggle all those balls and keep them in the air. Quarentine taught me how to express my thoughts and be heard. Yes, I still have something to contribute to the world, Mr.Monologue, regardless of my mental health challenges and physical issues! It feels so good, to shine and bust out of all that negativity. I choose unlimited and not to be a waste of space. I will not let my loved ones death be in vain. I am hopeful that my encouragements have the capacity to heal, grow, adapt and flourish for others as well as for myself. To not give up, to fight the good fight. Some people are so wrapped up in self pity and they can't see past thier pain. They don't see the opportunity to grow from it. From a place of fear there is only fear. If you are optimistic and open to knowing you can feel better, won't you then try? From a place of love, theres more if it, it's easy to see. Stanby and take a deep breath-reconize the signs of your triggers, choose a different outcome. Challenge yourself to understand your triggers and affect them positively over time. That was me about 3 years ago. My moods running me. Practicing mindfulness does help. Now my anger has a shelf life. My sleep has improved greatly and so has my overall attitude and that keeps me chugging along. At some point I get more results which then motivates me further to follow my schedule, because there are results cha cha cha! Accidents happen when you are handicap, I'm learning it comes with the rough terrain. Knowing when its time to let go... It took Roll with Cole and his life partner and caregiver Charisma for me to understand that I was still engaged in a toxic relationship; while trying to survive brain / spinal injury etc. To rebuild my life. The very last thing that I needed was a negative Nancy or fearful Fred monologuing outside my head. I got enough on my plate just trying to be autonomous and in the best health possible right now. At one point our "relationship" took a turn for the worst it got very physical in a dangerous way. I took a huge step back. Silly me I thought we could help eachother out, it worked so well before the car accident. No so, ya its not working and not for a lack of trying on my part. I don't have the physical energy or the capacity to "work things out" anymore, nor waste my precious time. Thanks to #RolewithCole and Charisma for being great examples of what is working and how they make it work. Thank you for sharing. Its more than encouraging to stick to my rehab program understanding what Cole and his family has been through together. Thanks for your beacon of positivity. It so does help. I know I will find my way now even when I'm on my own. Be safe and kind out there ❤ pass it on.