We’re all on social media a lot right now checking on friends and family around the world, and getting the latest news relating to COVID-19. News travels quickly on social; it’s easy to get drawn into negativity.
All of a sudden, we’re seeing friends crafting and creating elaborate setups to keep their kids busy. Other friends are seemingly hosting their own HGTV show as they paint, decorate, and update to their heart’s content.
Good on them for making the most of the new normal.
Some (like me!) are just trying to maintain. We’re hiding in the pantry taking a moment to take a bite of a chocolate bar in peace, considering champagne a breakfast beverage, and trying to remember to be thankful for this time with our children.
Between a regular job and caring for twin four-year-olds, my goal is to stay true to myself. So in the interest of keeping it real, I wanted to share what I’m doing to keep my mental wellness up at home in the hopes that it can help you, too.
Get at least 15 minutes of alone time every day.
In a time when we’re all home surrounded by our family, uninterrupted alone time is more important than ever. Maybe you go for a walk, take a super long shower, or lock yourself on the outside balcony with a glass of wine. No judgment.
Either way, we need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list, especially when we’re working from home.
Routine. Routine. Routine.
Maybe you’re a coffee in the morning, jog in the afternoon person or a shower in the morning, wine in the afternoon person. Whoever you may be, keep up that routine. Heck, maybe this is a time that you’re making new routines. My family’s routine includes two family walks a day, wine by five, and ensuring the iPads are charged every night.
Yes, feel free to write out that routine on the wall, but give you and your family some grace. It’s totally okay if it’s forgone occasionally. Speaking of…
Keep it real and lower your expectations.
This is not the time to keep up with the Joneses. They may create artistic chalk murals, leave motivational rocks around the neighborhood and be reorganizing their garage in their free time, but that’s them. Comparing ourselves to others is just a negative set-up.
On a related note, there’s no such thing as too much recess at this point. From my view, the kids are learning as they run around the yard and I’m a happier mom when they’re out of my hair so it all balances out.
When it comes down to it, nothing matters as long as you stay true to yourself and give yourself a break. We need to lower our expectations for ourselves and our family — and offer everyone a bit of grace.
Get outside.
I’m not saying you need for a run. Maybe you lay in the sun for 15 minutes while your children make chalk art around you, whatever. In this time, when we’re balancing work and parenting at the same time, getting out in the sun is more important than ever.
I’ve seen more families walking through the creek by my house, lounging in the sun, and having picnics and it warms my heart. It’s time for us to literally stop and smell the roses.
Support local.
Support our Frisco neighbors by buying local is always a good idea, and especially right now. My family has taken to strategically ordering take-out at least twice a week and we keep in mind the families that we’re directly supporting through our buying power. Buying local is a double-positive.
We get what we need and we feel good getting money into the hands of our own community businesses. Oh, and ordering take-out means that we’re not doing dishes, again. That alone is a huge bonus for my mental health!
Extra Credit: Guided Meditation.
In a time when we’re surrounded by negative news, there’s an absolute need to fill our buckets with positive energy. I highly recommend guided meditation through The Big Quiet if you’re looking for 15 minutes that will calm and revive the soul.
Or, connect with and support locally-owned yoga studios who are conducting classes online: Dwell Yoga Studio | Horizon Hot Yoga
No matter what, we’re in this together. It’s our first pandemic and we need to give ourselves a break. We can’t be everything to everyone and we can’t take care of others until we take care of ourselves. Keep it real, Frisco.
RELATED READS:
5 Ways to Add Fun to Your Family Walks
Survival Mode: How to Work from Home with Children
