Stay home orders across U.S.- The good and bad

Clearly our current state of affairs has led to many difficulties across the United States, and the world. Even beaches have been closed! There’s no doubt it has caused an abundance of stress, and fear. It has also led to a lot of extra time to think. Like many people around the world I find myself pondering this often.

I’ve found myself considering that while there are lousy things that have happened to any one of us lately, there are some good things as well. Here are some of the ones I found most notable.

1st

Bad:

The first thing that really caught my attention from the beginning was the shelves at the Grocery stores getting bare. It seems t.p. was the first thing to go. I was lucky in that I’d already been working toward not having to shop for anything that would keep longer than a week more than twice a month. That goal had really made an impact on how this affected our family. I hope you think about implementing this idea in the future…

Good

This has led to a few positive things I’ve been noticing lately. First and foremost, It seems that customers have been realizing the importance of some of the more invisible careers. Specifically, in light of this particular problem grocery clerks, truckers, and warehouse employees have come to the forefront as everyone (including them) have realized how essential they actually are.

Things that make their jobs more difficult have also become more noted by the rest of us and has led to some of us doing what we can to make their jobs easier. One that stands out to me is truckers being able to get hot meals.

Some people have tried paying attention to any truckers who might be parked near restaurants and offer to get their food for them when they pick up their own. Some restaurants have gone to lengths to make sure truckers know they are welcome to pull in their parking areas and utilize new walk up options. I know fast food places have been altering their drive through rules on an individual basis. Texas Roadhouse made a point of really making sure they know they are welcome! I know there was a barbeque place in my home state of Vermont that also made an effort to let truckers know they would be happy to serve them and even offered free meals! These things have been happening across the country- Lets keep that going!

Last but definitely not least is a refreshed gratitude for nurses, and an understanding of how hard they work! I should say medical providers in general. Right down to the people doing the cleaning. Their jobs are most certainly essential! The difficult part is that we often see them when we are at our worst.

2nd

Bad:

That brings me to the loss of “in person” interactions. I personally found it disconcerting that when introducing myself to a new mechanic the obvious “normal” of shaking hands wasn’t feasible. That’s something I’d like to see come back after this has passed. I found the moment sad. Obviously, that has been difficult for many businesses, not just those of us who have found ourselves “stuck at home.” Particularly extroverts, and small businesses have been affected by this one. People who have particularly difficult home lives would also be having an especially difficult time with this.

Good

The creativity that has come from this is really quite inspiring. Many who can have been making a point of reaching out through methods that allow for more distance.

School teachers and bus drivers have been delivering meals, and making sure their students know they are still available. Business owners have been getting creative. Many are providing drop off and pick up options. I was able to order wine and a baguette from a local winery I have been wanting to buy from for years. I never seem to make the side trip it would require, but have tried several of their wines, and they make a few I really like. They even teamed up with a local bread baker and I purchased both!

At least two local restaurants that have made a point of helping locals having financial difficulties, and are really embracing the curbside pick-up options for their customers.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve been trying to embrace supporting local small business, especially those that I’ve seen really support their community too! It’s amazing how quickly, and efficiently our local school district was able to adapt to all of the changes by working together and cutting through any red tape!

3rd

Bad:

Mental health difficulties due to isolation and being stuck at home, not to mention a lack of “purpose” or a regular routine all lead to many people having mental health issues. Many of the everyday things we did that staved off depression and similar problems are the same things we are being told we can’t do now- or at least we can’t do them in the same way we always have.

People are also realizing they had issues they didn’t even realize were issues because they suddenly have to spend so much time without distraction. Many have a tendency to avoid dealing with things that should be faced, like trauma. These come to the surface when you are alone.

Good:

This event has brought the causes of these issues to the forefront. Most of us are more aware today of the importance of having a purpose each day, or even just feeling like you do. Going outside and being active is obviously good for our physical health, but now we are thinking about the impact to mental health as well. Hopefully you are spending some extra time outside.

With everything being closed and all of us being told to “stay at home, stay safe” many of us are quite literally staying inside our homes. In Vermont at least, and many other places it’s important to note that they haven’t closed down going for a walk. If you are lucky enough to have a back yard use that too! It always good to see new things!

Another fun option is the many virtual field trips that have become available! I have always enjoyed Safari live. https://wildearth.tv/safarilive/ It’s a live broadcast of a safari in South Africa with guides who answer questions in real time!

The Louvre is offering virtual tours of their exibits at https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Alaska seaLife Center has had some really cool lives on Facebook too! Here’s the info for that! https://www.alaskasealife.org/news_item/110

I even saw a virtual reality tour of Mars, but apparently I’d need to update my browser… We live in a time where we can virtually tour Mars from our couch! (It’s through nasa.gov)

It’s possible, and healthy to live with purpose mainly from home. Get up and get dressed every morning. Spend some time appreciating the little things. Go outside for a minute, or at least sit by an open window and get some fresh air. Give yourself time to contemplate life.

Set up a routine. If you aren’t able to do your regular work from home, then try to think of what you really want from life. For once we all (well most of us) have a moment to ponder this. Consider the things you keep meaning to get done at home, but don’t because you don’t have time. Make a schedule (probably a loose one) and start working toward those goals. Even if you are working from home it’s a good idea to make yourself a schedule.

It’s not all bad to slow down. Sometimes we all need to stop running around for everyone else, or just chasing money. Taking a moment to get back to yourself, relax, and recharge is something everyone needs sometimes. We really don’t all need to go at the crazy pace set by “normal” society all the time. This also causes mental health issues through stress. There is a balance between keeping busy, and going so fast we don’t take time to relax, and let ourselves deal with our own “stuff.”

None of these things solve the mental health problem completely, but they should help a bit for most of us, and lets remember that there is a careful balance of purpose, and giving ourselves space to  enjoy life and everyone finds that balance in a different proportion.

After a period of inactivity, lack of purpose, and less mental stimulation I suspect many will find it difficult to get back out there. Remember, take one step, do something, find a purpose. Push yourself to dream! Then work toward what you want out of life. If the difficulties that come with this “down time” isn’t something you experience normally, remember it and be empathetic toward others who might find it difficult.

4th

Bad:

We are all stuck at, or close to home. This one is obvious from this side- We are used to interacting with commerce and in life on a much bigger scale. We feel lots of things and activities are missing.

Good:

We are all stuck at home.

We’ve had to stop things we were doing on a large scale that was impacting the environment. We have been able to see nature thriving in ways it hasn’t been able to for at least decades, probably over a century! I’d love to see what we could do when this is over to help this change be a bit more permanent.  

We have time at home for all those projects we never had time for. Ok, some of us may want to see this as a negative. Maybe they weren’t projects we “wanted” to do… 😉 Those of us stuck at home might actually have time for those projects though! I’m working on my closet that I haven’t managed to get into properly since we moved here 10 years! My husband has continued throwing stuff in there too since we have really limited space. This should prove interesting…

This is also resulting in a lot more family time. I know some are finding this a bit more difficult because it’s new, but it’s an opportunity hat doesn’t happen for public school students, like ever. I homeschool two of my girls so for them not quite as much changed, but my eldest goes to public school. That’s what works best for her. I don’t generally get as much time with her though.

She happens to be a senior this year. She’ll be turning 18 years old just before graduation would normally happen. As frustrating as a 17 year old can be I doubt very much that I will look back and be disappointed that I got an extra two months with her at home when this is done. I know she wouldn’t have been moved out yet, but she would have spent most of her time not sleeping at school or some other activity. Take a breath, and do the best you can. They are only little once. Us parents are kind of getting a bonus if we can keep our cool!

Make the best of it. Slowing down may be a blessing in disguise!

Slowing down is not the end of the world. We could all use a moment to slow down once in a while. Maybe life should be a bit slower, so we can take a moment to appreciate what we do have. Some careers could use a lot more appreciation. We could put more effort into day to day personal interactions. Call or visit those you love now, well, maybe don’t visit them in person until it’s deemed “safe.” Then go give them a hug, or just spend time with them. Check on that neighbor. Don’t forget that people have more going on that you don’t see.

Give the benefit of the doubt when you can. Inactivity leads to inactivity, and that leads to depression. Encourage rather than demean. Stress causes short tempers. Short tempers cause stress, accidents, and ill health. Take a breath, be the one to not pass that stress along. Take a minute to live the life you want to live and figure out what that might actually be.

Remember the things that are important to you when you can finally go out to spend money. Reward the companies who have done some good in this difficult time. And remember the ones you were less than impressed with too.

Within this experience we have gained a perspective that would never be available under any normal circumstances. The bad has been amplified, but so has the good. Let’s work together to try and work these lessons into the new life we experience when we are thrust back into “normal.”

And go thank someone who does a job you never noticed before

Related article: https://mytranslucentreflections.com/the-5-best-ways-to-work-on-a-positive-attitude/