I returned from Iceland on March 13 after a week of adventures in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. And while I was gone, the entire world changed. Completely.
But it seems wherever I look, there are messages of love, unity, and support–a constant comforting reminder that we are all in this together.
As the first global pandemic in my lifetime, I’ve had no idea what to expect. And it wasn’t until a few days after I was home that I understood the gravity of the situation. “Social distancing” something most of us introverts have been practicing for most of our lives became a mainstream phrase used by many, but understood by few.
My state’s shelter-in-place went into effect on March 21 and is slated to end on April 30 (with the expectation that it could go longer). It’s been a strange thing for me–for all of us, I’m sure. Some of my closest friends are neighbors in my condo building–literally people who live next door and across the courtyard. It’s odd to not be able to see them or gather together for an impromptu wine nights as we have in the past.
I got them all to use the Houseparty app so we can all get together (some of us still with wine). When the weather is cooperative, we started taking responsible, socially distant walks where we remain at least 6 feet apart while walking and talking around our neighborhood. (There may or may not be wine involved with that as well).
What I’ve noticed most in every aspect of my life–at home and at work–is people are being kind to each other to the nth degree. And I love it.
In the midst of all of this, I’ve noticed two things in my seclusion: my need to return to comfort foods of my childhood and the need to return to journaling and writing with pen and paper. Journaling and using a paper planner (which might include using stickers) gives me comfort and some kind of satisfaction I can’t get anywhere else. Somehow, it can scratch the itch nothing else can. It’s more important than ever to have that now.
I started an Instagram account to talk about it. Check out @thejoyofpaper if you’re interested.
Stay safe, healthy and sane. And keep an eye out for all the positive messages when you need them. They’re everywhere!
