This has been a long and unprecedented year so far. Had someone predicted people would feel safe sitting at home for days on end I would have laughed to their face.
Still here we are and not even feeling “holed up” (most of the time). Venturing out with our faces covered and scurrying about to get back to the safety of our homes.
How do you keep your sanity and find the will to keep doing the same things again and again in a monotonous routine? With no end to this pandemic in sight how are we primary care givers surviving?
HOW IT HAS BEEN:
I cannot give any pointers on how to survive but can share my own experience.
In December somewhere a Pandora’s box was opened and what followed changed the world.
March brought with it the rigmarole of disbelief, frustration, confusion and more disbelief followed by the sense of impending doom that still ceases to go away.
Then began the baking, cooking, freezing and frying. All on a loop. Though the trying new recipes part of the pandemic is so over it gave me some added cooking skills.
By the end of March our houses, cars and hands all sparkled, all the time. The compulsive cleaning of everything and anything entering my home can put even the best of cleanliness experts to shame.
May brought the realization that what began as a small time adventure is here to stay for the long haul. Now we turned to the internet for some more diversion. Movies not watched, shows that we never found the time for got some attention. My trusty old friends “books” helped cope.
By June most of us had resigned to our fate. One thing that I discovered is a mother’s anxiety can peak even when she feels this is the absolute pinnacle.
Now you might wonder what after June, after all this is September? After June, nothing. It has all been the same a blur of indecision and more anxiety.
SOMETHING POSITIVE:
What can be positive when all around there is chaos and sadness? I’m most grateful for our family being together and safe.
Most of us have started appreciating what really matters and what is non-essential. Humans have shown a new level of resilience and determination. One thing that is worth the mention people have finally started getting a hang of social distancing.
Children surprised us by their capability to adapt to this overwhelming situation. Mine even seem to enjoy it at times which just makes me sigh.
For me the most difficult part has been not able to see my parents in the longest time. There have been families stuck in different countries due to the suddenly imposed lockdowns. Our mental health is at a state that can only be summarized in a book or two.
The uncertainty of the future is scary. The world fighting a microscopic enemy is still diligently working for a miracle. What we can hold on to is hope. Till then laugh at whatever tickles you and take it one day at a time.