Just keep swimming

We are three days into the “shelter in place” order here in Central Florida. How is it going? Well, I'm working in my PJ's, my BFF group chat and FaceTime game is going strong. We have a full fridge, our health and a reasonable amount of toilet paper, but the mind has more time to wander. It's been hard not to dwell on thoughts of how much I miss my leg. Some days I'm in a funk and have to tell myself to just keep swimming. But how?

Step 1- Turn off the news

While it's important to stay informed, you are not gaining anything but a heightened sense of anxiety by playing the news all day long while simultaneously googling "Coronavirus death count" every hour. There is a real crisis going on in the world right now and we are just not equipped to take in all of this information at once and still be ok. Just breathe and focus on what you can control, like your decision to stay at home to protect yourself and others. If it's keeping yourself away from the isolation snacks that you cannot control I have no words of wisdom for you... GOOD LUCK.

Step 2 - Make plans

Instead of living like the world will never recover, why not live like you know that it will and start making lists of all the things you want to do when this passes. Where do you want to travel? Which restaurants do you want to try and which parks do you want to visit? Plan a themed party with friends ( you may want to avoid the Coronavirus theme for now... or forever) and when this does pass because it will, you can contribute to growing the economy by checking some of these things off your list.

Step 3 - No lazy guilt

Don't feel bad if you haven't organized your leggings by activity level or color-coded the fruit in your refrigerator. Not everyone finds cleaning and organizing to be a relaxing activity. As long as you are not out spreading germs, you are doing your part! If it brings you some peace and a moment of distraction from reality, welcome it. Pamper your soul in any way that feels good. Some people prefer to binge watch Tiger King on Netflix while others prefer to scrub their tile floors. Find your thing.

Step 4 - Help others

The mental health crisis we are facing is just as tragic as the virus. Take the time to check in on family and friends. Many people are feeling very isolated right now, especially if they live alone. Hearing your voice may be all they need right now. If they take medication regularly they may need someone to make sure they are remembering to do so. With our worlds turned upside down it can be easy to forget something important like medication even if they have been taking it for years. I am so thankful that my husband reminds me to take my Gabapentin every night for nerve pain. God knows I don't need something else keeping me up at night. While I am not a mother and I do not pretend to know how to parent a child, I do remember what it felt like when hurricane Andrew hit Miami. I was only 6 but sensed the fear the adults around me were feeling while they scrambled to prepare for a category 5 storm. My parents and I spent the night in a small bathroom praying that we would be ok. I also still remember that my parents read my books and held me in their arms until I fell asleep. Children feed off of our emotions more than we realize. Now is the time to play hide and seek with them inside, build pillow forts and bake cookies.

You have now graduated from the Limbitness Sunshine Swim School!

PS: If you happen to ever see me in a pool, lake or ocean, please throw me a life preserver as I don't actually know how to swim.........