Everyone needs a little sweetness.
Even you, you little jerk who doesn’t follow the lockdown rules. You who go out for no reason and, by doing so, make sure these restrictions keep going on and on… I’m sending you some sweetness.
You, who constantly whine on social media about everything and nothing, who share fake news that fuels the collective fear. You, who never stop making the situation even more anxiety-inducing than it already is. You, too, deserve your dose of sweetness.
To all of you who are part of the problem: I’m sending you some love. Maybe that way, you’ll be less angry, less stressed, less envious, and less annoying.
This week’s “sweet moment”:
- The teachers on social media who give us tips, online resources, and little pieces of advice for homeschooling—while also reminding us not to overdo it, that our kids will be able to catch up, and to trust them when they return to class; they won’t let our kids down. These extraordinary people will make sure our little treasures stay on track!
- You should see the Lego village our 6-year-old has in his room. He built it all by himself, without instructions. That creativity just popped into his head while his brother was napping.
- The brothers bicker—that’s obvious. However, the arguments don’t last as long, and they share more. It seems like they’ve figured out that it’s better to be allies than enemies… It’ll save a lot of time. (Oh, but this system is still very, very far from perfect!)
- The mutual support in my community is extraordinary. Neighbors are volunteering to run errands for people in isolation, those at high risk, or the elderly. It’s truly beautiful to see businesses supporting one another and passing the baton so that residents can take advantage of their services without worrying about competition.
- Essential service workers are working hard, tirelessly, ignoring the comments and disrespect from the big shots who still haven’t grasped the gravity of the situation. I tip my hat to you, and I hope that when things get back on track, you won’t be forgotten. How is it that essential service workers are among the lowest-paid in the job market? (Okay, that’s not exactly pleasant, but it’s a question worth asking…)
- My husband. He’s wonderful. He’s a musician who’s been out of work for two weeks. He’s letting me keep my job by working from home so our savings don’t run completely dry. He’s been a full-time dad from the very beginning, and he impresses me. He’s also a creative artist—if you heard his music, you’d feel at peace right away.
- I’m inspired. With life moving so fast these days, it’s hard to sit down for ten minutes to write—and even harder to find inspiration when I actually have the time to write. In these uncertain times, not only do I have more time to write, but it feels like the words just flow on their own. I strongly encourage you to find an outlet—whatever it may be—to let go of your anxiety, stress, and any negative feelings you might be harboring. It’s truly liberating… and very inexpensive.
- I’ve started cooking again. Ever since I became a mom, it’s been as if I no longer have the energy or the time. In this critical situation, we’re all at home. (It helps to be alone in the kitchen while I cook…) I’m rediscovering the joy of trying new recipes, introducing the kids to new flavors, and trying to do something out of the ordinary. At the same time, every Friday, we’ve decided to support a local restaurant that offers delivery or takeout.
It’ll all work out. We’ll get through this without going out. And when we’re able to go out again, we’ll be like the humans at the end of *Wall-E*. A little timid, clumsy, a bit chubbier—but so happy!