Quarantine is a great way… to get on each other’s nerves. Your boyfriend is driving you crazy. You’re not used to seeing him for more than three hours a day, Monday through Friday. He’s not used to seeing you around so much either.
Your kids are driving you crazy because you’re with them 24/7, and now that’s your new life. You might even cry a little in the morning, thinking about how you used to drink your coffee hot at the office, and now you’re drinking it cold—just like back when your kids were tiny babies.
Even the cat gets on your nerves, just because it exists. On top of handling the needs of your little gang, which come up every 10 minutes, the cat thinks it’s a good idea to meow right next to you because it’s hungry. You’ve gone from being a professional, career-driven woman to a stay-at-home mom, daycare teacher, schoolteacher, head chef, and so on. Let’s face it—this wasn’t exactly the career you’d aspired to.
But know that we’re all in this madness together, and it’s going to be okay!
Look on the bright side, because focusing on the positive helps us get through these crazy weeks. Appreciate the little moments you didn’t have time to enjoy before because you were too rushed with lunches, dinner, and bedtime routines.
It feels good to take the time!
Yesterday, I saw my boyfriend folding a load of laundry in the living room, and I took the time to tell him we were doing a great job as a team. To be honest, before, I wouldn’t even have noticed.
We now have dinner as a family, at the same time. Something that used to be impossible because of the time we got home from work. Now I don’t have to prepare the kids’ dinner the night before.
I take the time to call my mom, to listen to her without interrupting her to say I have to hang up because I’m making lunch, doing a load of laundry, and my 3-year-old wants a snack because he’s starving and his little body is surely going to catch fire if I don’t give it to him within the next minute…
Every day, without fail, we play outside; I watch my child laugh, play, and enjoy life. I think I’ve even started to like the cat.
The most important thing is that I appreciate what I have. My house isn’t the biggest, but I love it. Inside are my favorite people on Earth. It’s a little house filled with love and laughter.
We’re all experiencing stress during this crisis, but what makes me smile is finally being able to take my time and manage my days however I choose.
And you—what’s the silver lining you’ve found in this crisis?