I went back and forth about how and if I wanted to write a March Wrap Up post because yikes. This wasn’t the first month that I didn’t complete my bucket list. However, this was one of the few times that the circumstances were completely out of my control. When we started this month, we were blissfully ignorant of what was to come. Shortly after, the term COVID-19 flooded the news and media sources as the pandemic rapidly spread. Global panic ensued, schools closed, toilet paper was nowhere to be found, and new regulations aimed at “flattening the curve” were put into place. With the death tolls continuing to rise, there is no end in sight. Life, as we know it, has changed.
As I type, I am in the middle of the third week of working from home. I am so grateful to be in a position where I have the flexibility to do so and still have an income. I’m one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, all of us have been impacted in some way by this crisis. We know someone who has lost their job or are having trouble making ends meet. We know people who are risking their own health to help others. We know someone who is either infected with the virus or otherwise in a high-risk population/immunocompromised. We know someone struggling with their anxiety, struggling to homeschool, or just struggling to make it through the day without crying. Sometimes, that someone is ourselves.
This is not meant to be an entirely negative post, but I think that it is important to document that this month completely turned our lives upside down. One of the best ways that I have heard this time period described as was collective grief. We are all grieving the life we knew, the trips and plans we had to cancel, and the feeling of control. Grief is natural and hard. Be gentle with yourself and others during this time.
Here are my other reflections for the month of March:
One
During this month, I was reminded of the beauty and persistence of the human spirit. It has been nice to watch the outpouring of support, community, and acts of kindness–all from a social distance. Some of this spirit was exhibited in a new series started by John Krasinski (or as I will forever know him as–Jim Halpert) called Some Good News. Watched the heartwarming YouTube video here!
Two
I am 100% a group fitness class kind of girl, which is definitely on hold now thanks to social distancing. One of the things that has been getting me through this time has been watching instructors and businesses go out of their way to help people adjust and still get a sweat in at home. I have participated in several Facebook live workouts, posted sweaty selfies, activated free trial virtual memberships, and peeked at a few Zoom workouts. While I miss my gym peeps, it’s little things like this (plus accountability group text haha) that foster a sense of togetherness.
Three
If you need a distraction, my bestie insisted that I watch All American on Netflix and I was hooked shortly after the first episode started. SO GOOD. Before you add it to your watch list, I must warn you of two things. First, the show is highly addictive. I mean, finish two seasons of 45-minute episodes in 3.5 days addictive. Second, the show is not for the faint of heart. The series is centered around high schoolers and set in Los Angeles, California, more specifically in Crenshaw and Beverly Hills. Thus, it explores gang violence, cultural issues, drug use, mental health, and general teenage coming-to-age plotlines. All that being said, the cast is stunning and I can’t wait for the next season!