On the Sunny Side
Unlike a lot of folks, with the coronavirus stay-at-home directive, I find myself really enjoying my days. Not surprising, as I am an introvert and homebody. I’m sure it would be harder if I lived alone, but right now I live with my best friend (my husband) and my grown fledgling children. My husband is having a harder time of it, being the social guy that he is. He is coping by setting up online happy hours with co-workers and Zoom reunions with high school buddies. He also makes sure we spend some fun family time with the kids each week, playing cards or video games. This is so important even though they are adults now.
Work is happening remotely, but things are not as urgent as they were before the stay-at-home order. Business has slowed and everything is much calmer and more relaxed. My work and sleep schedules are flexible and I can wear stretchy pants every day! I have a lot of extra time on my hands. No commuting to work! I have not blown my hair dry in weeks, and no one seems to care! I am finishing projects that have been in the works for months and years. Quilt tops are getting quilted (by someone else), new door handles are being installed, and I may even get to a year’s worth of paper filing soon. My business website is up, I have a new logo, and I might even get Facebook! I’m talking drastic productive change here!
My workout schedule has continued, but I get to decide when it happens. No more 8 a.m. class so I can get to work before noon, just on demand videos or live later ones. I miss seeing my workout buds and the energy of an in-person class, but this is working. And the music is not too loud for a change. A side benefit is I am learning how to operate our smart TV, and can stream from my phone or iPad. Yay!
During this time, I have started a new habit, especially while the weather is nice. Each day after lunch, I sit outside in the sunshine with my dog for a few minutes. We rarely use our deck, but now it is like a little oasis for me and Harry. The birds are chirping, the pool is burbling, the leaves in the trees are rustling on a windy day. Harry sits in my lap and gets a good face rub from me, then hangs next to me while we soak it up. Today I noticed the fluffy clouds, like so many cartoon, cotton ball sheep swimming across the blue sky. No phone, no distractions, no “have to do” somethings. Just close my eyes and feel the sun on my face. It’s so nice. I need to figure out how to add these few minutes to my day if and when I go back to the office.
The down side of lifting stay-at-home restrictions is I’m afraid I have not done enough during these leisurely months. My home has not been “Marie Kondo’d” and the closets, shelves and drawers are still pretty full. The garage is still the disaster it was at the start of this. Days are going by pretty fast and I wonder daily where the time went. There is something to be said about having control of your own time. I enjoy it so much more than the normal busyness of everyday life, and I am accomplishing a lot more than I expected. So, give me another month. Maybe I can get it all done by then.
