• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Resources
  • Other Writing
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Breathe and Begin Again

a new month with more questions than answers

Faith, Health

Today I looked at my March calendar, my goals and my to-do’s as I prepared for the upcoming month of April. I see a few things checked off at the beginning of the month and then a whole lot of nothing. The pandemic started and life was no longer about exercising 4 times a week, or which writing projects I hoped to do, or what spring cleaning needed to happen.

Life was suddenly about quarantine, our college daughters moving back home, our high schooler not returning to school. I was looking for toilet paper, making sure our pantry was full, and watching the numbers of infected rise. I was trying to find that line between watching the news and being aware with not watching too much when I felt the anxiety of it all turning in my stomach.

Suddenly life has become very small and the awareness of what’s important and what’s not important has taken on a great importance. Everything is weighed- against necessity, against practicality. Can we make due without it? Can we combine it with any other activities? Is it really even necessary?

Some things that I have found to be very important:

Grace with family members. None of us have every done this before. Everyone is stressed, has concerns and fears, disappointment and questions. Just let some stuff go….offer kindness in return.

Flexibility. Menu planning? Out the window. A schedule? Gone.  Every day is bringing new concerns, rules or shortages. It is not in my nature to be this flexible, but I am learning. I used to make a weekly menu and then shop for those items. Now I make a menu based on what I already have. When  I go to the store I see what’s there, buy it and it becomes the menu for the week following.

New routines. Routines comfort us, give us a grounding and starting place. They help us focus on next steps. If you are stuck at home, try to create  a new routine, one that includes times of work, rest, exercise and study. Whatever fills your day. Without a purpose you may find yourself aimless, snacking (oh, my goodness the snacking that’s happening!) and only watching Netflix.

Make room for creativity. Study our past generations. Look at how they did things, the courage they had and how they overcame. Read books. Be inspired by this and try new things. Gardening, food storage, recycling.

Stay aware, but not obsessed. Find your news from reputable sources and follow guidelines put out by the authorities. Do what you can to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem. Use common sense and your instincts.

What am I taking with me into April?

This is a marathon, not a sprint. It doesn’t look like this is going to end in a month, or even two. We aren’t just getting by for a few days. This is real and it’s going to be a long while. Set yourself up within your home to be as healthy as possible and as prepared as you can be.

Prayer without ceasing.The Lord says to come boldly to His throne. I can’t think of a better, safer place to be.

Stay aware. Of changing circumstances, guidelines. your own health and that of your family. Allow your routines to ground you and give you a framework, but hold those plans loosely.  Above all, focus on just doing the next right thing. When it all get to be too much, focus on just the next 10 minutes. And then the next.

Remember, it’s still okay to cry, or laugh, to be angry or tired. We aren’t robots pushing through. Make time to be still enough to notice your own emotions, how you are holding up, if you need a break, or someone to talk with.

Stay healthy friends,

Rachel

 

Share11
Tweet
Pin
11 Shares

April 1, 2020 · 1 Comment

Subscribe to get the latest

By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to our company.

« the real inside
time to start noticing again »

Comments

  1. Carol says

    April 1, 2020 at 10:47 pm

    Such good advice. I hadn’t really thought of establishing a routine. I like that! Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Stay up to date

Would you like content delivered to your inbox?

By subscribing you will receive my posts in your inbox. You can unsubscribe anytime. I promise to respect your privacy.

Recent Posts

  • there is certainty in our uncertainty
  • time to start noticing again
  • a new month with more questions than answers
  • the real inside
  • new year’s resolutions

Archives

  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018

Categories

  • Beginning
  • Faith
  • Health
  • Holiday
  • Productivity
  • Rest
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Writing

Browse by Category

rachel.latham.writer

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in you I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Psalm 119:147-148
#powersheets #breatheandbeginagain #hopewriters #powersheets #breatheandbeginagain #hopewriters
Every day lately seems a mix of light and dark. Ha Every day lately seems a mix of light and dark. Hard things press in and it takes intentional effort to focus on the light.  But there is light and it is far more powerful than the dark. #breatheandbeginagain
Christmas cards have fallen away for a long time a Christmas cards have fallen away for a long time and I’ve hung on to the tradition. Maybe this year it should be revived? Maybe a thoughtful letter enclosed in a card that brings words of hope is just the thing. Maybe we could even expand out of our usual lists and look for those in our church or community that could use the extra love ❤️ #breatheandbeginagain #athrillofhope #hopewriters
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · anchored theme by Restored 316