Thoughts During A Global Pandemic

I don’t know if you need to hear this, but:

It’s okay if you normally love living alone, but feel lonely.
It’s okay if you live with a big family and feel lonely.
It’s okay if you aren’t feeling like you’re appreciating your loved ones right now.
It’s okay if you haven’t started writing the book you wanted, or getting that painting started, or putting up the cabinets in the garage.
It’s okay if you’re afraid of running out of your favorite food/snacks, even though you probably have enough.
It’s okay if the laundry is piling up. 
It’s okay if there are dishes in the sink.
It’s okay if the junk drawer is still full of junk.
It’s okay if you still have clothes in your closet that don’t fit and you’re keeping them for whatever reason. It’s okay.
It’s okay if you feel bad for being home while others are out working the front lines.
It’s okay if you don’t feel like socializing online, even though you’ve got “all the time” now. 
It’s okay if you haven’t written in your journal in a few days, weeks, years.
It’s okay if you’re buying silly things even though you should be saving money.
It’s okay if you’re scared to death and don’t feel like having a sense of humor over things like social distancing and running out of toilet paper.
It’s okay if all you want is to laugh at stupid jokes about social distancing and running out of toilet paper.
It’s okay if you bought healthy food, but are eating the cookies instead.It’s okay if you want connection, but don’t feel like reaching out. 
It’s okay if you’re sad when friends who are sad pull away.
It’s okay if you’re not working on any kind of online hustle or creating new content or building your brand.
It’s okay if you are working on your online hustle, but still don’t feel good enough.
It’s okay if you cough and immediately feel terrified.
It’s okay if you can’t stop reading the news.It’s okay if you touch your face. (I mean it’s not technically, but you might forget and it’ll just be a moment and please wash your hands and forgive yourself).
It’s okay if you want to cry. A lot.
It’s okay if you want to watch crappy tv or silly cat videos to feel better.
It’s okay if it feels like you’re giving up on your dreams. 
It’s okay if you’ve recently suffered a loss and are angry that you haven’t had the time to grieve during all of this.   
It’s okay if you’re afraid for family, friends and people you haven’t met all over the world. 
It’s okay if it feels like things will never be the same way again, because, well, they won’t ever be. But you are stronger than you realize. And loved more than you know. 

Things will never be the same again. But we’ll be stronger. And maybe we’ll love even deeper. And maybe we’ll appreciate the beauty of a crowded market on a sunny day even more. Or getting to fly across the state/ country/ world to visit friends or family or nobody! Or walking through the park and watching people walk dogs/ play with their kids/ shoot hoops. Or hearing music play in public. Dancing with friends, anywhere, in a group of 10 or more. Having coffee in a brand new city while looking out the window and watching people go by. Getting a haircut will be the most appreciated thing ever. Or colored! What about those roots! Hugging friends. Play dates with kiddos. Sitting with someone who is sick in the hospital. Teaching children/ teens/ adults in a classroom. Going to a graduation. Watching sports of any kind. Hosting a comedy show in person and not on zoom.

We’ll be there soon.

Time helps and heals. But in the meantime, please go easy on yourself. This may be one of the hardest times we’ll ever go through (I’m sure many of you have been through worse. I don’t underestimate that). And you’re doing awesome. You’re not alone. The whole world is in this with you. 

Get some rest. But don’t give up. 

I don’t even have a TL;DR summary. It’s okay if you don’t read any of this. But if you do (and also if you don’t), thank you. 

Take care of yourself, please.