March 27, 2020

Real Life in the Season of Sweatpants & Social Distancing

These past 2 weeks, I lived in sweatpants, zero makeup, with my hair pulled back! I ate more calories in a week than I normally do all year.

I stayed up super late and slept in daily. I attempted home workouts but was easily distracted by my dog. The kids and I binge-watched Netflix and cuddled on the couch! We played in the backyard until the sun went down. I deactivated Facebook because I couldn’t handle the steady stream of doom and gloom. My “normal life schedule” of selling houses from sun up to sun down was gone.

Is this my way of dealing with stress? If it is, then I’m going to come out of this self-isolation 25 pounds heavier!

In all seriousness, though, it’s scary to see how easily we get caught up in everyday life and downright terrifying that it took an entire pandemic to slow us the fuck down.

Slowing Down & Taking Stock

How many of us run so hard and so fast for so long that we are exhausted? How many of us carry the weight of the world on our shoulders? When the “go, go, go” of your normal life abruptly stops and the reality of today’s world steps in, it is bound to have an effect on you. You are most likely going to feel totally overwhelmed.  It’s totally normal and it’s totally okay!

The funny thing is that so many people spent so much time wishing for this every day! They wished that the world would slow down and that they would have more time to spend at home with their kids. They wished that they didn’t have to work as much and could meditate way more. But isn’t it strange that now that this day has finally arrived, no one seems to want it anymore?

Now, maybe this isn’t how we exactly imagined it would play out, but it looks like the universe dealt us these cards so we better play them to the best of our ability!

Social Distancing Together

As social human beings, this whole “social distancing” thing is a difficult concept for us to grasp and, for many, it can be a very lonely and frightening time. But while we may be physically apart, this is actually the perfect time to connect with old friends and catch up!

This time, there are no excuses. I can guarantee that you are not too busy running the kids around or running errands anymore, and we’re extremely lucky to be living in an age where technology provides us with everything we need to be “face-to-face” in real time. So let’s start the trend #NoExcuses and rekindle those human connections!

Treating Yourself & Supporting Local

Take some time to think about what you need to do to make you happy right now. Right now, it’s okay to #TreatYourself and enjoy the little moments we usually take for granted! The only thing I ask is that you consider #SupportingLocal when you do. Do some research on local businesses. You will be amazed by the amount of talent in our city. Whether you need made-to-go meals or health and beauty products, I promise you that there’s a business in Saskatoon right now that can fulfill your needs while also helping to support our local economy.

But treating yourself doesn’t have to be limited to just spending money either. Sleep all day if you want! Chat on the phone with a friend. Eat the cake. Turn off the news. Go for a walk. Work out (or don’t)! Hide in the pantry and eat chips (I find this one particularly therapeutic). Clean out those closets. Play games with the kids. Cuddle with your dog because they’re having the time of their life right now!

No guilt. No regrets. Do what you need to and when you’re ready, then you can pull yourself together and kick some ass! Take this time now to work on yourself and take inventory of how you are doing while you have the time. And when that time runs out, you will be a stronger version of yourself that is ready to take on the world!

Remember: This, too, shall pass. Do your best to K.I.P. (keep it positive) because the last thing you, your kids, spouse, family, or friends need right now is more negativity.

Today: workout.

Tomorrow: I’ll eat the cake!

Yours in Positivity,

Heather