I kind of miss COVID lockdown
I want to start off by saying that I am very fortunate. I worked really hard to get where I am today, and so has my husband. My life has not always been easy. But for sure I know it has been way easier this year for me than many, many people on the planet because of where I was born and where I live.
Is it terrible that I am going to miss not having to plan to get ready for networking events, travel, going out to eat, parties, church, meetings, etc?
I am going to miss not having to think about what to wear, and the fact that I have to put on make-up, and do my hair. I will miss all the time saved by not having to do all of that, and then spend the extra time driving back and forth.
I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.
The pandemic year was a gift in one big way… authenticity.
Ya, ya, we’ve all heard the buzz about authenticity.
Thank you, Brené Brown. I think being authentic is such an important thing that God, the Universe, The Benevolent One thought, “OK, you all think authenticity is cool — let’s test the theory. I’m gonna make it so everyone, EVERYONE on the planet is going to experience it first hand. Let’s see how it goes.”
Well, it has been a helluva time. I’m not getting into all the terrible things that went down. I’m not going to comment on the political and racial injustices (mildly put). There are many much better places for that, written by much better writers than I. I just want to get down, some simple, profound changes that I have seen this year.
The best of what I saw during the lockdown.
I live in a suburb. I’ve worked at home for years, so I had that going for me. People assume I am retired because I’m always at home. I’d go outside often during the day, take a walk or go for a bike ride because I can.
But the streets and lawns around all these beautiful homes were always empty.
Rarely a person to be found, except the retirees doing yard work or out walking.
During the pandemic, I actually saw families doing things together at home.
I saw people on their front porches sitting together, laughing and talking.
I saw families playing badminton and other games in their back yards.
I could hear laughing and kids having fun all the time.
Families were out riding bikes, rollerblading, walking, playing, laughing.
After a while, the neighborhood kids would come and play in our backyard as we have a big playset with swings and slides and a sandbox. It was (and still is) so fantastic to hear kids playing in the backyard.
I’d make chocolate chip cookies and deliver them (with a mask on) to my neighbors.
It was awesome.
Before the pandemic, I’d occasionally see families together on weekends. But most of the time, our suburb was almost like a ghost town. Big, beautiful homes sitting there while the residents were off somewhere else.
I’m not making light of all the horror. I’m not forgetting what all of the nurses, doctors, nursing homes, grocery stores, medical facilities, and other front-line workers went through.
I’m not making light of all the people who got sick or lost loved ones and what they went through. I’m not forgetting what many, many people less fortunate than I went through.
The pandemic was horrible. It still is in many other countries.
I just wish it didn’t take a pandemic to get everyone to slow down and be with their loved ones.
I know it has changed forever how many people will live their lives. I have friends who have already made changes. They’re going to continue to work at home. They’re going to sign up their kids up for fewer things and do more things at home.
I know of several companies that have shut down their facilities because they have realized that working from home is way more productive, and way less costly than forcing everyone to come to an office.
I know lots of people who love all the online classes they found and will continue to take them from home.
I personally have kind of grown a following for my creative passion, mandalas, because of Zoom.
I paint mandalas and have them on the wall behind my desk. And people noticed them. At first, I was embarrassed when people started asking about them, (which is really weird since I sell my mandalas at www.ILoveMandalas.com).
That embarrassment was a huge indication of the personal work I needed to do if I really want I Love Mandalas to be a success.
I can’t hide behind all the work I’ve done, for God’s sake! I can’t be embarrassed by my beautiful mandalas or how much I love them.
So I did. I journaled more than I ever have. I doodled. I bought oil paints. I joined online classes to grow my “emotional intelligence.” I cried and meditated a lot.
Now, I am calmer and happier than I have ever been. Ever.
I would love to hear what gifts you got from being sequestered in your home last year.
I’ve heard (as we all have) many horror stories. I know of families who had a really hard time juggling their kids, homeschooling and working. I know people who had COVID. I know people who’ve lost their loved ones to COVID. I know nurses who are quitting their profession because of burnout.
And……
I am THRILLED to be seeing my son and his family in Baltimore again. I’m THRILLED they will be here for a week and my husband and I will be there in a month.
But I gotta clean the house, wash the sheets, make a ton of food, do more grocery shopping, you know, the normal routines.
I’m THRILLED to be doing a mandala workshop at Big Sky Retreat in a couple of months. THRILLED.
And… I have to get flights, hotels, shuttles, etc. I have to pack enough supplies to teach 25 people how to draw mandalas. I have to figure out what to wear — I’ll be presenting IN PERSON!
This is all work I do love… and it’s work.
I’m going to plan more virtual mandala workshops once winter comes. And I’m going to enjoy being out and about.
