Today, I saw a very poignant post from a mom I know that said something along the lines of “I woke up today, smiling at the sunshine coming through my window, ready for a fun, productive day … for a few fleeting seconds. Then, I remembered. I got back in bed because, what’s the point?”
That sentiment hit me hard, because I feel the exact same way. And I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who feels like they are living in a nightmare they can’t wake up from.
My name is Amelia, which means 'industrious and striving'
Well, the dam broke
And I’m actually glad it did.
Now, I take each day as it comes. I do my best to sit down and just play with my daughter or linger over a cup of coffee. I video chat with friends and go on walks. If I feel like working on something, I work on it, but I don’t make it a first priority, or hold myself to some rigid, unattainable standard of industry.
We have to be gentle with ourselves. If keeping busy truly, truly makes you happy, go for it. For me, I have found I need a mix of idle enjoyment and usefulness. Volunteering once a week at the community center to pack food bank orders does wonders for my mood and soul.
Please, I’m begging you
Learn from my mistake and make self-care your number-one priority. You may see posts online saying things like, “If you don’t emerge from quarantine with a new skill, you wasted your time” and that is so not true. The most productive thing you can do is right now is take care of yourself and your loved ones. And if that means you can't bake bread or tackle DIY home projects, it's worth it. You're worth it.
