social distancing — Lifestyle — Courtney Nicole Writes

Photo: Alonso Reyes, Unsplash — Photo: Alonso Reyes, *Unsplash*

For those of you that don’t know, I am a member of Toastmasters International. It is an organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. One part of the club meeting is called Table Topics During this time, speakers respond to an impromptu question. The goal is to become comfortable with providing unrehearsed speeches.

One of the Table Topics questions the club’s last meeting was, “What have you learned about yourself while social distancing?” Today, I thought I would share three of the things that I have learned during this isolating period.

1. Avocados Are Okay

I like guacamole (minus the cilantro) but have never really tried to eat avocados as just avocados. I’ve been looking for new recipes, and since avocados have been on sale, I thought I’d give them a try. My first experience had me wondering who I could donate the rest to. Then, after consulting a friend about when avocados are ripe, I gave them another try. While they’re not a fruit that I will ever crave, I’ve determined that they aren’t so bad when eaten with something, such as a salad or sandwich.

2. Social Interactions Do Provide Energy

If you didn’t know, I am an introvert. It’s just who I am. When #stayathome began, I thought it would be a two or maybe two and a half month thing. I wasn’t that concerned, because introverts were built for times like these, right? After what feels like years of social distancing (but really it’s been closer to three months), I can admit that socializing is refreshing. 1-2 times a week, I visit one of my besties. We aren’t brave enough to go out anywhere just yet, but spending a few hours in her kitchen gives me a whole new life. Every time I leave her house I am happier.

3. I Don’t Have to Snooze

For as long as I can remember, I have been a firm believer in the snooze button. No one that I know would describe me as a morning person. I regularly dream that I’ve awakened and begun getting ready for the day, only to realize that I’m actually still asleep. Therefore, I typically set 3-5 alarms across two different devices, to make sure that I am actually awake when I need to be. Lately, with enough sleep, I wake up right before my first alarm goes off. As long as I don’t hit snooze at all, I can shake off the sleepiness, and actually be coherent within 20 minutes. Prior to #stayathome my to-do list was so full that I was too wired to get any effective sleep at night, and therefore, had a real dependence on the snooze button.

Like everyone else, I am more than ready for a return to something that resembles normal. Until then, I’m trying to make the best of this situation, and discovering new things on a regular basis. What have you learned about yourself while social distancing?

Before you continue reading, let me say, I am NOT a mental health professional. If you have any mental health related questions, please consult a mental health professional or physician.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything on my blog. It launched right around the time that social distancing ramped up in the U.S., and like many of you, I have been adjusting to a new normal. I wrote a post about giving back, as a means to overcome the isolating feelings of social distancing. But then, I didn’t know what else to write. COVID-19 was on every social media feed and traditional news outlet. Scrolling through my feeds became anxiety-inducing, and I had to take a break. I wanted to stick with my blogging schedule, but didn’t want to seem tone-deaf by posting something that completely ignored the current pandemic. Then, one of my friends and college classmates, @chantellilace posted an “Isolation Well-Being” checklist as well as a list of “Daily Quarantine Questions” on Instagram. FYI – she is an actual mental health professional. As someone who is a supporter of self-care, I was inspired to write about her suggestions. The point of @chantelilace’s post was that self-care and wellness are very real, and very essential. As I read through her lists, there were a few common things that I identified.

1. Develop a Routine

Whether it is an eating, sleeping, or working routine, it’s important to establish some “normalcy” to your day. Routines can help to alleviate stress, by limiting how many decisions you have to make. They can also make it easier to take care of yourself. I have spoken with more than one friend who has admitted to forgetting to shower. For whatever reason, they got distracted on a particular day, and started with their tasks before showering. Before they knew it, the day was almost over. Under normal circumstances, it’s hard to forget basic items. However, with the stress of uncertainty, even things that we think are basic, can be easily forgotten.

2. Connect With Someone

At this point, I hope that everyone has found someone to connect with every day. It could be a phone call, video call through an app, or a meet-up in the driveway. I’m an introvert and homebody, so when this social-distancing/isolation journey began, I thought it would be a piece of cake. One of my besties, who was a psychology major, invited me to quarantine with her and her family. She was concerned about me being by myself. Instead of moving in, I decided to visit once a week. After that first visit, I was amazed at how refreshing it was to be in physical contact with others. Human interaction in important for our sanity. Whether you’re communicating in-person or through the use of technology, make a commitment to connecting with someone every single day.

3. Be Patient With Yourself

This is a difficult time for everyone. There will be good days and bad days. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you aren’t always operating at 100%. I am a huge proponent of taking things one day a time, or even an hour at a time. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. No one is perfect, and there isn’t really a road map for how to handle the daily stress of social distancing. Be patient with yourself and do the best that you can.

4. Don’t Neglect Your Physical Health

Physical health is just as important as mental health. I was watching someone on Instagram Live a month ago, and her guest commented that, “Once this is over, we don’t want to look like we’ve been through it.” She was talking about skincare, but the same principle applies to physical health as well. If you had a regular exercise regimen, don’t let it go now. If you didn’t have one, now is a great time to start. It’s another way to break up the monotony that comes along with isolation, and it’s an energy booster.

Regardless of where your community is on the social-distancing spectrum, remember to practice self-care. Stay aware of how this new normal is affecting you, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments to maintain your well-being.

Let’s Keep In Touch