Don’t Find Your Routine. Find Yourself.
We are more than a month into COVID19 restrictions and stay at home orders, and times have been challenging for everyone.
I originally agreed to write this article as a “how to” on keeping your routine in this new normal. I was 3 weeks into my new normal and had found my footing – I was getting up at the same time every morning for a virtual workout with my same group of fellow gym members and friends, I was following my same nutrition and wellness guidelines I set for myself, working my same hours and doing my best to be just as productive as always while also taking time to relax. I thought I could share some tips on how others might keep from just treading water.
Fifteen hours after signing up for this task, I became a statistic; one of the impacts our unprecedented circumstance has forced upon us. I was laid off by my employer of nearly 13 years.
With one phone call, my entire being shifted. A routine was irrelevant. Time no longer held meaning. I had no major obligations to schedule chores around, no one waiting on me to complete my duties and obviously no place to go. I found myself sitting for long periods of time just staring out the window or mindlessly opening and closing social media apps. I watched Netflix, roamed around my house and read to keep my thoughts from stirring. Doing all these things around the times I slept because I was exhausted and drained from the myriad of emotions I was feeling.
I knew it would take some time for me to heal and get back to my productivity level, and I promised myself that time. I vowed to give myself the freedom to just be, to not weigh myself down with what I should do or what I could do. Instead, I just allowed myself to do what I felt like doing in the moment I felt like doing it – whether it was cleaning, exercising, chatting with friends and family, doing something fun, something necessary, or simply doing nothing.
That was important. These are not normal times. It’s not necessary to harp on what to do or how to do it. It’s condescending to believe you must live at the same capacity while juggling more stressors in new, unknowing circumstances. It’s belittling to tell yourself that something is wrong if you feel anxious or overwhelmed.
Things have changed. The world is different. Do what makes sense and lean into it.
In the week following my unfortunate career halt, I realized a few things.
Always take care of what matters most. The place where I had spent nearly my entire adult life was now a memory. Without that focus, I was forced to consider if I was taking care of the people in my life who had been there for me outside of my work. More importantly, was I taking care of myself?
Be present. Take in every moment. Without looming deadlines, I was able to spend more time outdoors, noticing the sites and sounds around me. Genuinely thankful for the beautiful weather recently, I realized that I had been moving so quickly from one responsibility to the next that I didn’t appreciate the life I had built and the things around me that were worth enjoying.
Do things that make you happy. Don’t waste time on something that doesn’t bring excitement and value to your life. When it’s gone, it won’t be worth it. Be intentional in the things you do and let them serve a greater purpose for something that will leave you fulfilled in the long run.
Breathe. Just breathe.
Whether you’re working or not working, juggling jobs and kids, caring for sick family members or just trying to survive, you’re doing great. Everyone’s situation is different. However, we can all be mindful of the season of life we are in and allow ourselves to feel what we need to feel and do what we need to do. Then look forward, because better days are ahead.
