Now What Do I Do?

Surviving our emotions in this time of uncertainty.

Have you seen them? All of the recommendations of how to be successful and productive while you are forced to stay home? Well, a week ago I would have told you to read those posts and do what they recommend, but then I had a bad day, a REALLY bad day. I don't suffer from chronic anxiety and depression in the typical way, so it's not noticeable to most and I actually hesitate using those words. For me, it is self-diagnosed and most of the time it feels more life a glorified funk. Regardless, I'm writing this because maybe you too have been having some hard days in this new "what the hell is going on?!" time we are enduring. And maybe you too are having to figure out how to manage your emotions in this time of uncertainty.

First, let me give you some context if you are new around here. I have been unemployed for the last six months because my husband and I moved to Germany from Louisiana with the military. For the last few months I had been traveling with my husband for his job and planning bucket list trips like to France, Italy, Morocco, and ALL the cool places but then traveling was banned and so here I am, in my house, with nothing to do. Ok, now that you are caught up (in two sentences no less), I will get to my really bad day. I had been doing pretty well with my routine which included these daily activities:

1. Read bible

2. Workout

3. Get outside and walk the dog

4. Make a to-do list each day

5. Keep the house tidy

6. Read

7. Keep boundaries on things like T.V., alcohol, and sweets

You may be thinking, "Wow, your life sounds pretty boring..." It is. But more importantly, I've learned that if I have a little discipline in my life, I feel MUCH better emotionally. I've told you this list of things, not to bore you or pat myself on the back for having a tiny bit of discipline, but to tell you that even with discipline and productivity in my day, I still had a very, very dark day. So, back to the bad day....

I thought the discipline and to-do list would keep me going mentally but, on the bad day it just hit me. Why? Why am I waking up? What is my purpose? No one really likes me. My life is not important. The list goes on and on and I literally just laid on my concrete basement floor and could not find the will to stand back up. Thankfully my husband was here and helped rally me off the floor, prayed for me, and reminded me how much I am loved. But, the next day I realized I needed to find something that was going to be different and exciting in this time to keep me from ending up in a day, week, month or longer funk. I needed something to look forward to other than more normal daily routine. I need to you to promise not to judge me right now, but that something for me last week was joining TikTok. As crazy as it sounds, creating videos with my husband brought me immense joy in the last week. I've learned that creating is an incredible outlet for my energy and something I really enjoy. So what's my point in writing all this? My point is maybe in this time you don't need to be the MOST productive and maybe you won't be winning at your job or responsibilities every day, but maybe you can make it out of this without being shipped to the loony bin (they probably wouldn't let you go there anyway because it's a health risk at this point). My best recommendation is trying something new, which is extremely hard to do when you are so limited with what you are allowed to do, but I am going to give you some suggestions!!!

Here are a few things I recommend to mixing things up and trying something new.

Try a new hobby:

1. Cross Stitching

2. Puzzle while you watch TV

3. Paint by number

4. Play a board game

5. Join TikTok (I've learned a ton about social media on this new platform as an added perk!)

6. Try making a new recipe (I made enchiladas for the first time!)

7. Pick up that book you've been meaning to read.

Start a new podcast. Listen while you clean, or while taking a walk outside. Here are some of my favorites if you are new to the podcast world and don't know where to start:

1. Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard

2. Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

3. The Popcast

4. How I Built This

5. New podcasts are being created SO fast right now, so go look at the shows on the Top Charts and pick a new one! I am going to start Unlocking Us with Brene Brown to spice it up!

Try a new workout routine! Home workouts can get really boring but there a TON of new ways to work out right now. I started joining my cousin's zoom classes (she's a personal trainer in CT). You can subscribe to a ton of online yoga classes (like CorePower Yoga or Buti Yoga). There are free apps like (SixPackin30Days or Crossrope) or just Youtube a class (my sister is trying all of the free barre classes!!).

Last but not least, STAY CONNECTED! I recommend checking on at least one friend a day. Set up a time to do a group call with your family (I've absolutely loved seeing my nephews over FaceTime in this way which I wasn't able to do with everyone's busy schedules before!). Join a new club or bible study (there are a ton of ways to meet with these groups still online). Or schedule a happy hour with a group of friends. Social distancing is 100% the wrong way to describe what we are going through right now. YES, we need to physically distance ourselves, but don't let that keep you from socializing!!! The picture below was taken before we were told to stay home, but I am jumping for joy thinking about seeing my friends face to face again.

I've found that mixing up my routine and trying new things is doing the most in helping my mood. Please, please leave a comment if you have found something to help keep you sane in this time. And, I would be HAPPY to expand more on any of the topics above (podcasts, books, new hobbies, etc.), so let me know in the comments what you want to hear more on!

Xo,

Theresa

Now What Do I Do?

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