Hi Laurie,
Correctameundo! Pus mental health will now be a major concern. It will not be a “hush topic” anymore as it will affect all of us in different ways. Parents are starting to realize just what goes into caring for and teaching their children, for full days - not just before and after school. Our medical teams put themselves into harm’s way every day for us.
Before all this happened, I was one of those people who spent 5 full working days - many on the road - only to slump into a relaxing stupor for two days before I would start the week all over again. And that was after I became an empty nester. Time to reflect was scarce. I still put in at least 4 days of work but zooming at home is a totally different story. I enjoy getting up and preparing myself for work rather then throw on a nice top with PJ bottoms.
I look back over my life and wonder how I did it when the kids were young - managing a home, working and raising kids. Most of those days had to be adrenalin-filled as I get exhausted thinking about it. Now that I am older, and do not have as many daily responsibilities except for me - I am noticing more around me. Like Panther says, the resulting rudeness could be a lack of parenting skills or frustration with having to parent all day every day.
Hmm – I have an entrepreneurial ides – developing a continuing education course on Coping Skills – ahh I am trying to retire but my brain keeps thinking. On the other hand, one of my US college friends sent me this link as he knows I am a life-long learner.
This mega-popular "happiness" course, is available for free online through Coursera. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, created a “happiness” course called "The Science of Well Being," Much of our happiness stems from cultivating healthy practices and routines. Students were lined up around the block. Is no one happy anymore? Now, with Covid – 19, this dramatic reorientation of your life might actually give you an opportunity in the coming weeks to rethink your daily rituals and therefore rewire your brain toward a happier life. Anyone can audit the course for free, and $49 lets one complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion. Looks like something for me to audit in the fall. Does anyone else have ideas such as this one?
I have also been thinking of volunteering. We have an organization Alberta-wide whereby we pick up prescriptions or groceries etc. for people who cannot. Time to give back a little – still being careful, mind you. I can count on my two hands how may business establishments I have actually been in in the last 2 months as everything has been curbside.
My Red Hatter (yup I am one of those red hat ladies who pay to play) group meets now and then in a local park with bring your BYOC (Bring your own coffee) and lawn chair. I use Bailey’s for a whitener. It helps to realize that EVERYONE is dealing with this change in lifestyle. We whine in unison.
Back on track now - Our grandparents and parents and even our children have and are still fighting wars/battles for us, food was rationed, fuel was scarce and sons and daughters were lost, and now, we cannot even respect using preventive measures to flatten the virus curve. Hopefully this time in our lives is making us think of many things, other than “me, myself and I” and just maybe we will be better people for this. The BLM movement is just the beginning.
Now for my daily outing … which drive-through coffee shop should I visit today, in a smaller town outside of my city.
Most importantly, I give thanks that I have somewhere to blog - like on this site - and I have friends here who put up with me. “I calls them as I sees them.” Yes, I have an ostomy but that struggle is way down on my life list. I have free supplies to give away but nobody wants them. 10-15 boxes of Coloplast – 15470 – closed pouch - 30 bags per box.
Oh yeah - I am watching Schitts Creek on Netflicks - in a weird way the funny is so 'smart.'
K