By Chris Wilkinson
Avoiding someone’s ‘good news’ text, because it stings a little and reminds us of how isolated it feels at home, by ourselves. Alone. Not sharing in the joy of others like we normally would because we’re down. Sick of sitting at home. Literally, sitting. Worried about our bank account balance and paying rent or mortgage. Or losing a job. Or losing a business. Wanting a way out of this mess, yesterday!
We have become conditioned to expect everything so quickly. Instant food. Instant delivery. Instant solutions. And now we have been forced to be patient. And isolated. And stationary. And alone. And it hasn’t even been 12 weeks. Yet it has been long enough.
For some, exercise, meditation or breathing exercises, and eating healthier are even harder when isolated at home. It’s certainly not a time-restriction thing. It’s a mindset thing.
Mindset is the foundation for all that we are, do, have. Everything.
Thankfully things are starting to look up! Restrictions are starting to relax. Small gatherings are permitted (just in time for May long weekend!). Gyms and fitness centres are permitted to reopen (with specific precautions in place). Daytime use of parks is back. And even voluntary school re-opening for June 1 is a real possibility! What a relief! It’s time. Time to get back. To our routines. To our friends. To our family. Our connections. Our people and places that make us happy! Time to start getting back to our herd again.
It’s time for the next great migration! A migration back out of the house. To ‘somewhat normal’.
So let us not forget some of the forced changes that have made us better through all this. Let us not forget the things we’ve changed for the better. Let us not forget the adjustments we’ve made to get through this. Let us not forget the personal reflection we’ve undertaken individually during this time. Let us not forget the focus on our mental health that has so importantly permeated our lives now. Let us not forget how we have cared for each other through this. Let us not forget the frontline workers’ dedication and courage. Let us not forget the 7 p.m. pot clangers. Let us not forget the desire we have to make things better and look after one another.
If you’ve taken on a relaxation or simple breathing practice — do not stop. If you’ve started walking outside or on a trail — do not stop. If you’ve eaten more veggies and fruits for snacks — do not stop. If you’ve reached out to more people with a phone call instead of an email or a text — do not stop. If you’ve spent more attention on you and what you need to do to be healthy — do not stop. If you’ve spent time in reflection and learned a few things about yourself — do not stop.
This is the path to better mental health, connection, self-care, and joy. Do not stop.
Chris Wilkinson is the owner/GM for Nurse Next Door Home Care Services for Cowichan and central Vancouver Island. For more info visit www.NurseNextDoor.com or for questions or a free in-home Caring Consult call 250-748-4357, or email Chris.Wilkinson@NurseNextDoor.com