Positivity in a Pandemic
Today’s schedule consists of yoga class going live on IG, a zoom with my boyfriend’s family scheduled this afternoon, possibly a walk with the dogs later - to swing by Sean’s parent’s house and wave at a safe, six feet of distance, and date night with Sean later that evening… Welcome to our life as we know it for the next month, at least. It is day fourteen of social distancing, self isolation, or quarantine - whatever term you have adopted - and I need to go on record.
My name is Teresa, and I am an extrovert. I love being social (not distancing) and interacting with people on a regular basis. Even when I do not want to go out and do, I get a boost of energy and am, for the most part, extremely glad I got out of the house.
My days typically consist of getting up early and walking the dog, teaching a yoga class (more like two or three), a full day of work and client meetings, and then a walk, workout, and/or yoga class at night - and I love it! So when the coronavirus hit and the idea of social distancing started, I wanted to know how to make my social circle (under 10 people of course) as big as possible all while trying to abide by the guidance of medical and government officials. This meant, finding a group of two-three of my girlfriend’s to drink wine, catch up, and do our works out together. That lasted all of two days, when I realized the ripple effect I could have on those around me and hypocrisy of my actions if I didn’t sit tight at home.
Some of you may be stoked for social distancing - like a higher power has final heard your request for minimal interactions and solitude with your book, you furry friend, and favorite cup of tea. For those, like myself, I immediately was like “What the hell am I going to do to keep myself busy for the next couple of weeks (potentially months)?”. Either way, between the news, social media, and all of my friends becoming their own “medical experts” sharing reports, charts, and numbers I started to go through a series of emotions:
Frustration: There is so much information being distributed - not all of it credible. Don not just share information to share, make sure it is credible
Anger: This is not a ploy for the government to control us, the democrats to over throw the republicans, or someone trying to ruin your spring break. This is a pandemic, people are and will continue to die. STAY. AT. HOME.
Anxiety: How can I help? What is going to happen to my friends and family who have to work and considered “essential”? DO I HAVE ENOUGH TOILET PAPER? - because apparently there is something I do not know about COVID19 and its impact on the GI system.
Throughout this spiral of emotions I forgot all the good things that I should be grateful for, like:
The sophisticated healthcare system I have to help support and treat patients
State-of-the-art pharmaceutical and biotech research that is being done to develop vaccines, treatments for those with COVID19 and tests to diagnose
The access to amazing technological platforms that allow me to interact with friends and family through FaceTime, Zoom, Webex, and other video chat options
The opportunity to slow down and focus on myself and things I have been wanting to do like finish “Lilac Girls”, learn French, write more, record workouts my friends and family have been asking me to produce
Fresh air and the ability to still go out for long walks with Chauncey and listen to my favorite podcasts
The fact that I am healthy and able to stay home, limiting my opportunities for exposure and spread
My career, that my company is looking for ways to continue to support companies developing vaccines and treatments for others with COIVD19, and that they are thinking about how to keep us safe and informed.
Yes, we are in an unprecedented time, but we forget how better off we are than those who have dealt with pandemics, and even wars, before us. As such, I am dedicated to identifying one thing to be grateful for each day for the next month. I know there are plenty of things to be grateful for but by sharing this, hopefully this gratitude will spread quicker than the pandemic. If each of us shares one thing we are grateful for instead of one negative thought, what impact may that ripple effect have on those truly struggling during this time, how much more united would we be as human beings, what impact would this have on our children, our loved ones, those that look up to us, and how we deal with conflicts?
Please join me spreading #IAmgrateful4 and share at least one thing you are grateful for each day. Let’s spread the good vibes and bring the energy the world needs to overcome this.