This year 2020; a new decade at that, was/is supposed to be the year when… (Fill in the blank for yourself.) For some, it would be the year to travel to that dream country or take more trips than usual, take that solo trip, launch that business, step out of that comfort zone...etc I do recall coming across a lot of #2020VisionBoard events on Instagram at the beginning of this year than I can remember ever noticing in the previous years. I did update my vision board which I initially did in 2017. The two-goal areas I added this year were investing and daring greatly (aka stepping out of my comfort zone). The other goal areas which were initially there, have been improved on and are still a work in progress include spirituality, health and wellness (mind and body), relationships, and finances… Did you make a vision board this year? What were your goal areas and why did you pick those goal areas? Was this your first time making a vision board?

This month happens to be my birthday month; birthdate #PiDay. Starting March 2018, I decided to not have anything planned on my birthdate itself. I just go with the flow which usually starts with spending extended time in nature/outdoors (2+ hours weather permitting). I actually consider the whole month my birthday (wink) starting on women’s day. March is typically the month where I intentionally push myself out of my comfort zone. For other months, getting out of my comfort zone usually happens randomly. This year on my birthdate, I went for a three-hour hike with two friends.

We are still in the first quarter of the year and quite a lot has happened that I sometimes wonder if I’m on a movie set and when it will end. From too many deaths to now COVID-19 which I will spare us all the sermon because it is trending just about everywhere. I work in the healthcare field as an occupational therapist (more on this in the next blog post) in a Skilled Nursing Facility (aka SNF). I did not think that I would be considered an essential employee, so I was bracing myself to #StayHome when I received a message reminder that we are scheduled to work. Honestly, I didn’t know if to be excited about the fact that I still get to go to work rather than stay home for an unknown duration.

Going to work gives me something to do and getting paid for it but more exposure irrespective of doing all that is recommended from hand hygiene to avoid touching face, to boosting the immune system to “Social Distancing” which is now being recommended that a better term will be “Physical Distancing” by The World Health Organization (WHO see article). At the end of this quarantine, other health concerns will emerge some of which will impact not only our physical health but also mental health from limited movement and in-person interaction. With regards to the environment, true mother earth is resting from all the pollution but think about the carbon footprint that will be generated from the plastic water bottles, canned/pre-packaged foods...etc. Maybe at the end of this quarantine season, we will emerge with a different and better perspective on how we affect our environment.

On the flip side, staying home puts a dent on finances as well as health and wellness. Either way, there’s an opportunity cost and anxiety wondering how long this will be. Some have been laid off due to schools having to be closed for the rest of the semester, classes transitioning to online some of which maybe permanent and businesses shutting down for an unknown duration. With the rapid rate of infection/transmission of the COVID19, there are illustrations that depict how staying home and or away from crowded areas of more than 10 will eventually slow down the rate so we don’t overload the healthcare system and overwhelm healthcare providers. This will hopefully give time to get more testing kits, more protective gear, work on the vaccine… and all that is needed to save lives.

Given the rapid increase of those testing positive especially in New York, I was starting to wonder if COVID-19 is airborne; then boom I came across an article this past Sunday stating WHO suggesting airborne precautions (article link). In addition to the fact that an infected person can go for days without showing symptoms and could pass it on during the asymptomatic phase; too much uncertainty surrounding it. What is known or not known about COVID-19 seems to still be in the discovery stages; like the "getting to know you stage" (wink) in the relationship between the medical world and the specific strain of the virus… Oops! I had said I was going to spare us the sermon...

Flipping the switch; we still have nine months left in the year, three times more time left than what has already elapsed. Even though the effects of Covid19 might not be over in the blink of an eye; how about we try to think positively, having a mindset shift (a previous blog post I wrote about mindset). I’ve seen a couple of challenges going on Instagram, I, however, haven’t seen any on #HowAreYouDoingCovid19 #HAYDCovid19. If there is one then good, we should keep it going. If not then it is a good time to start one. This would apply to any and everyone, not just men or women. It would apply to the essential employees who have to work as well as those staying home. Tag someone and ask how they are doing. Also, call/text and be open to listening. If you are tagged, you are welcome to express how you are feeling and tag someone else. This isn’t supposed to be just a trend, we should do it with intent to help alleviate some mental stress and stay sane. (A previous blog post I wrote about the power and weakness of the mind).

Let us encourage each other by sharing positive coping strategies whether you are staying home versus working in the healthcare system and or under the essential employee category because we are all being challenged at varying degrees; most especially the healthcare professionals in hospitals. Empty store shelves create more panic but on the other hand, there might be someone willing to share something that you are in need of but no one would know unless you ask. Share your morning routine and or mental wellness strategies. While we are being overwhelmed by the media/news, we can consciously choose to read/listen to something positive and motivating while still staying updated on COVID19 development/unfolding. Gyms being closed is pushing us out of our comfort zone, getting us to think outside the box and be creative. We are all in this together (the high school musical song ;), what we do individually will either help curb this thing down or make it worse; be part of the solution, not the problem.

In addition to maintaining my morning routine and continuing to edify my mind and improve my mental wellness/awareness as well as exercising which has been a challenge because sometimes worry and anxiety will randomly and unwelcomely kick in. I will finish reading the top three books in the picture below and I will introduce the two books at the bottom.

Previous blog posts I wrote same month #March First  Second 

In the course of reviewing my previous writings, I realized I have written a little of twenty blog posts starting August 2017 (insert blushing emoji). Any thoughts, suggestions/recommendations on my previous writings? Do you have topics you would like me to write/share my perspective on?

#HowAreYouDoingCovid19 #HAYDCovid19 #ReadSomethingPositive #WriteSomethingPositive #ShareSomethingPositive #BePartOfTheSolutionCovid19 #StayHomeCovid19 #StayingHomeCovid19 #StayHomeForMeCovid19 #StayHomeForUsCovid19 #StayHomeForEssentialEmployeeCovid19