Reflection on Shelter in Place
I don’t want you to hear me wrong. I do not like what is going on in the world right now. I feel so bad for families whose lives have turned upside down. It makes me sad to see people negatively affected by this disease.
However, I am trying my best to focus on the good things right now. I have seen so many positive things come out of this time in our lives. Due to no travel, Aaron has been home so much more. Which means he WAS HOME to witness our son’s first steps!! Since I haven’t been out taking as many photos, we have had so much more time together, all three of us. We have been home without “FOMO” since everyone else is home too. Technology has really been a blessing throughout all of this, as we have been able to FaceTime our family and friends. I have even had family and friends I haven’t heard from in awhile reach out! I have realized that there are a few takeaways from this Quarantine and I think there will be a few things that continue on after this “Shelter In Place” order is lifted.
1] Priorities. Time is a funny thing. We really always have the same amount of time in a day, but sometimes It feels like we have more or less… but that is just due to what we choose to spend it on. We always have the same amount of time. What we do with it is up to us. I have been doing my Bible Study Fellowship in the mornings, FaceTiming my family in Arizona and New York, hanging with the cutest baby on the planet (in my opinion), and making meals with my husband at night and relaxing together on the porch with a glass of wine. This season of life has brought more fulfillment than different seasons of my life just because I feel like we have so much more time together. My priorities are shifted and I am so grateful for that.
I don’t know about you, but we see so many neighbors out walking around that we normally don’t see. We see people out in their yards and people are more willing to talk to us. We laugh because a few people have asked us if we are new to the neighborhood and I want to say, “No, you are just new to walking in the neighborhood” but It really is good to see more people out, connecting with their families.
Starting my day with the Lord every morning has brought me more peace than I really knew was truly possible. I am an anxious person, and this has proven to be even more true since Kaden, but throughout this quarantine I am so grateful that the Lord has brought me peace. Our finances have shifted drastically, and we have had days wondering what might come to pass, but the Lord has proven so faithful once again.
2] Routine. Being a photographer, my schedule is just slightly different than a 9-5 office job. In some ways that is AMAZING because I can plan around Kaden and his appointments, or our vacations. However, in other ways I have really missed having a routine because every day is so different. But, I have been reminded that having a routine is SO GOOD! I, personally, function better and get less stressed having a routine. Simply having a morning routine, Kaden on a nap schedule that I can plan on and work out or actually work around, has really changed my mindset. Instead of feeling like I have all of these things to do and not enough time to do them, I know what times during the day I will have to do certain things and I can compartmentalize them. I don’t think about everything during the day, just the things I need to accomplish in that block of time. For example, when Kaden takes his first nap, I race to my room and do my 20-30 min workout and hop in the shower before he wakes up. This has helped me so much!!
3] Slower Pace. I am so guilty of filling every ounce of time that I have. I think I just have so many things that I want to or need to get done and I try to squeeze too much into a day. But, I have really enjoyed having time each night to relax and take care of myself, my hubby and my puppies. Participating in the #mtayselfchallenge was great for me! Even though I never want to clean another dish again, I am so grateful for all of the time in the kitchen. Aaron and I were reminded that we love cooking at home when we have the time and we are not exhausted or rushed. We LOVE being able to have time to work in the garden and mess with the flower beds. It’s fun to have the time to walk more often and catch up on a days activities (even though right now we are basically catching up on the same groundhog day). The slower pace has been extremely refreshing for me!
How are y’all doing? What have you taken away from the quarantine? What new hobbies have you tried? Do you think you will continue any of them?
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