At the end of 2020, there were so many people ready to move on from 2020 to 2021, and I didn’t want to rain on their parade, but I couldn’t understand how people could believe that the change in the calendar year would mean the problems of 2020 would just go away.

As far as I could see it was going to be more of the same and perhaps even worse.

Perhaps it was the idea of a fresh start, but I thought this type of thinking was setting people up for disillusionment and disappointment.

I think it does a great disservice to:

a) Pretend that nothing is going on
b) Engage in Happy Talk when the world is on fire

Time to Face Reality

It’s time to Face Reality: These are serious and challenging times.  I suspect things may get even more challenging and serious in the coming days, so it’s important to be prepared and also to make sure to take care of yourself both mentally and physically.

I understand this isn’t what people want to hear but our denial of reality is a major reason we are in this current mess.  We must act like adults, face reality, and navigate these circumstances as best we can.

Lock in Good Habits

My first suggestion is to Lock in some Daily Habits to promote Mental Health and Physical Wellness.

Get a Gratitude Journal: Record what you’re grateful for.  Great way to start and/or end the day.

Meditation and Mind Clearing: Put on some peaceful Music for 5-10, lie down, and close your eyes.  Just let your mind clear and settle.

Get outside for 30-60 minutes: Not only is Vitamin D essential, but you’ll also feel better getting fresh air and perhaps seeing other human beings.  Sheltering in Place does not mean to stay inside the house all day.  Older adults DEFINITELY need to get out and walk if they are able.

Move for at least 20 minutes a day. This could be walking, cleaning the house, stretching, etc.

Prepare at least Homemade 1-2 meals per week:  Yes, takeout is great, and we want to help restaurants but we need to help ourselves. Save money and save some high-calorie intake by making Home-cooked meals at least 2x per week.

Be Hopeful but Be Realistic:  Call me Negative Nancy if you want but I don’t believe the “happy talk” that this will all be over soon. This is often a tactic used to get people to comply with unpopular policies. This is also an unwise method used to soothe fears and calm people down.

When the plans don’t pan out as promised by the “happy talk” people become disillusioned, frustrating, and tune leaders out.

The Covid Situation in California is disturbing.  Hospitals in certain areas of the state are running out of oxygen and the healthcare system seems to be overwhelmed.  This is not a situation that will be resolved overnight no matter how much I wish that were true.

There have been so many false promises and false hopes that I’m not getting my hopes up for anything other than these issues will go on for some time

I have prepared myself for the long haul in order to not grab at straws.

Life will go on but it will take time.

I am hopeful but realistic.

Nobody knows what will happen next

The truth is nobody knows what will happen next.  We can project or estimate but we don’t know for sure what will happen.  We also can’t control every single variable.

We can do our best to live well and to treat others well

BUT IN THE MEANTIME…

In the Meantime