During this period of pause, I’ve read so many articles on how to maintain a semblance of normalcy when nothing is normal. But, hey, we’ve been at this way of life for 66 days now. Isn’t this our normal, now? People’s morning rituals to keep themselves grounded have some variation but pretty much go like this: wake up, check in with self, drink lemon water, meditate/journal, drink coffee, hike, bike, walk or exercise, preferably outside, shower and get dressed. I do it, too.
The rituals for pandemic “normalcy” look remarkably like the pre-pandemic rituals with the possible exception that my commute is now two steps from my bed and not an 80-mile-a-day slog. I think I’ve driven my car three times in the last 66 days. The only differences in the morning routine is I allow myself to sleep an extra 15 minutes in the morning and I don’t have to pry the kids out of bed and toss them out the door. Ah, that extra two winks. Oh, the joy of a morning free of rushing and anxiety. The morning walk can be a little longer, the second cup of coffee can be enjoyed at leisure. The birds in the backyard can be enjoyed before the work day begins. I’m not sure I want to go back to the office, ever. That said, I dress for work every day, albeit casually, and fix my hair and makeup.
Other pandemic rituals: afternoon coffee breaks, Friday virtual happy hours, writing this blog, making dinner every day, after dinner walks.
As things slowly come back to life, it is so exciting – like experiencing things for the first time. The sushi restaurant down the street is now open for take-out, having been closed for two months. We are planning our order for this weekend! And our favorite Chinese restaurant is open for take out, too, and we can finally celebrate my new job with Hot Wok Cafe dinner. Absence does make the heart grow fonder – I can only imagine that it will taste better than ever before, too.
The hard part of these quarantine routines is distinguishing between a work day and a rest day; between personal and professional. Providing the other people in the house with a routine that feels normal and appropriate. Taking time for family, home, friends along with attending to the work. The reality is that we will likely be remote, in some fashion, for a longer while than we even expected. Does that mean this is “normal,” now?
And let’s not forget that while we are paused at home, the death toll is climbing, the number of unemployed skyrockets, all while the administration and its enablers are releasing its criminals from prison, blocking the truth from being released, and pushing to ‘open’ the economy at the expense of the poor, the old and the vulnerable. I’d like to start a new ritual – VOTE THEM OUT.