It’s ok to feel the whole suite of emotions in one day (or one hour!). I liken this experience to that of the grieving process where we are grieving the loss of our life as it was before. It’s totally fine to feel anger, be in denial, get depressed and then feel really hopeful- you are not going crazy, just going through grief.
So, it's important to remember:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Viktor E. Frankl
This chaotic crisis is the challenge each of us must rise to. If we're going to be stuck at home, we may as well make the most of it. So, here are 10 things you can do to make your life better and to really make self-care a priority while being physically isolated.
Gain a New Skill with Online Learning
There are so many opportunities online to gain a new skill and they're growing by the day.
Grow your personal or creative skills or choose a new skill to learn or business training to use in your biz with online training providers like Coursera or Udemy.
If there's something you have always wanted to learn, now is your time. With so many learning options ranging from FREE to tens of dollars to the low hundreds of dollars, there will be something out there just perfect for you.
I’m using this time to continue studying astrology, to work on my second book and to start creating a podcast. What things do you normally never have time for or are too tired or busy to focus on? Now is your chance to revive these interests.
This is also a wonderful time to reflect on your business and to really figure out how you want to show up in your business. Do you need to upskill in some areas in order to adapt to the changing times? Perhaps you will shift in your direction, focus on some new offerings, and find new ways to help your clients. This is a big crossroads period for many of us as business owners, which can be very exciting when we look at it as a business opportunity for growth.
Create a Healthy, Supportive Routines and Rituals
If you have been following me a while then you know how much I adore routines. When we feel powerless or helpless (as so many of us do at the moment), one EXTREMELY easy thing to do is to create a routine or nourishing morning and evening ritual.
While we're all stuck in anxiously waiting at home, it's easy to lose our sense of time. Days can begin to blend into each other (what month is it now anyway?!). A routine can give us an anchor and greater sense of control over our lives. And if you have your kids at home, creating a routine is especially important to give them a sense of normality.
This routine or schedule can be as simple as:
7am - Wake-up, journaling and cards
8am - Yoga
10am – Start work online, emails and admin
11am – Client calls
12.00pm - Lunch
1-3pm – Creative work
4pm – Fun learning time
5pm - Make & Eat Dinner
7pm – HouseParty app time with friends
8pm - Reading, Journaling
10pm - Bed
Be sure to include food preparation, social time, exercise and outdoor time and some learning or creativity so you get some benefit from this challenging time.
It's also important to recognise weekends because it's too easy for weeks to blur together. So, make a looser schedule for your weekends. For example, you could include:
Sleeping in/later bedtime
Brunch
"Treats"
Movie night with popcorn
A virtual happy hour with friends or colleagues
A larger project, perhaps some art, craft, gardening or home redecoration.
So, create a routine for a sense of control and mastery over your environment and life circumstances. Reclaim what power you can over your own life, because with all this uncertainty it's important for you - and especially important for children - to have predictability.
Be in the Moment
In THIS moment you are OK. You are safe. Take one day at a time. One hour or even one breath at a time if you need to.
This tip is about being super-present, not thinking ahead or remembering the past, but practicing BEING.
This is a PRACTICE - meaning you will have to do it over and over again - bringing yourself back to the NOW. Over time it gets easier, and it's a great skill to have to take back to "normal" life.
So when you notice you're worrying, feeling twitchy and want to pick up your device and find out what the "latest" is about the COVID situation, say to yourself, "It's OK. In this moment, I am safe. In this moment I am OK." You can also add or say, "In this moment, my children/husband/family are safe."
Practice mindfulness by stopping, and taking the world in with all your senses. What can you see, smell, hear, taste and touch right here, right now? Really feel all these things and enjoy this moment being mindful.
EXTRA TIP: Reduce or minimise how often you watch and read the news! And DON'T read or watch the news (or articles about COVID-19 or similar) just before bed.
