Before we play a game of cards or after we’ve played a game, we shuffle the deck. This is to make sure things are in a random order that can’t be predicted and, theoretically, we all have an even chance of getting a good hand. Unfortunately, life is not that simple. We can’t simply ask for new cards or trade cards with someone else. There is no Wild card we can keep in the deck when we don’t have another play.
As this pandemic continues and we struggle to make sense of it or to determine how to deal with our new routines and adapt to a changed world, we ought to take stock of things and reflect on what we want our lives to look like when this is “over.” How will we play the cards we’ve been given? I also wrote about the pandemic n my recent post Keep Your Distance, focusing more on loneliness, isolation, and coping strategies. This time, I would like to write about taking time for self-care and reflection.
While many people are still employed or working even more than they did before, I have been laid off for two months, which means I have theoretically had more time to take care of myself. I am able to sleep in more because the virtual learning is asynchronous, so my kids’ school schedule is flexible. I have also had more time at home (obviously) and with my immediate family since extracurricular activities and trips to visit family or friends have not happened every few weeks as they normally would. It’s amazing what household chores and yard work one can accomplish when you don’t have to budget several hours of driving into the weekend. My exercise routine has also changed. The late-April marathon for which I was training was cancelled and, despite having the option to continue the same level of training, I have opted to be more relaxed with my running. Marathon training can be hard on the body and mind and, given the stress I am feeling, I simply don’t have the energy for multi-hour runs right now.
That being said, I am not sure I should get an A+ for self-care right now. Taking care of ourselves is about balance and, while I have sometimes been getting more rest for myself physically, I feel that I could do better with my spiritual and emotional health. Without my morning routine of getting up early to do a devotion and run before the kids are off to school, I have not always done a devotion. If I do, it has been while the kids are doing school work or wanting breakfast, so I am distracted and often interrupted. We attend church via watching sermons on YouTube, but the kids are around and often interrupting us with that as well. I worry about my career and I worry about my children. This worry is harder to control when I am less engaged in my spiritual life. As I have thought about this lately, I am thinking of reading my Bible or doing my devotions before I go to sleep. Mindset is everything and feeding myself Truth every day is the best remedy for a negative mindset.
For my emotional health, I have tried to meditate more often to help myself be more mindful and calm, but often when I have free time to do it, I choose to rest instead because I feel tired from all that is on my mind. I have always been someone who feels not only my own emotions deeply, but also the emotions of others. While this can be a good thing in terms of motivating me to help others and care for others, it can also drain my energy pretty quickly, particularly if I don’t allow myself time to process or pray. My son, who is only in second grade, has a similar temperament. He is a ball of energy with a great smile and a great laugh, but he is young and not able to manage his emotions well yet, so he often gets angry and needs discipline or redirection. My Husband and I spend a lot of time talking to him and trying to help him work through these emotions. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, and while it is a bit thwarted in his egocentric mind right now, I know that someday he will use his big heart and justice-minded brain to do great things. As long as we stay sane enough to help him navigate this crazy life!
So, I leave you with this thought: don’t feel pressured to make yourself “better” during this time by learning a new hobby, advancing your career, or going on a new diet (PLEASE, PLEASE don’t do that one), but do take time to treat yourself better. The world needs your gifts and they are best used when your cup is full.
Lastly, if you’re a runner like me and you love metaphors for how life is a lot like a marathon (or if you’re just a pleasant person who has stuck with me to the end of this post), check out this article on The Six Stages of Running a Marathon.
Redefined Runner 
Excellent writing.
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