Hi Everyone,

This has been a trying time for everybody.  We are social distancing and for some, it’s turning into social isolation.  It’s a lesson we all need to learn.  social distancing does not mean social isolation.  But as I said, this is a very trying time, and we are all trying to navigate the uncharted waters of Covid-19.

As I have mentioned before, I’m a teacher, and with schools closed, we’ve shifted to an online model and it hasn’t been easy.  I literally find myself working and interacting with kids all hours of the day – and night.  Yes, I get text messages and emails whenever the kids decide to work.  I’ve received messages as late (or as early depending on your perspective) as 2:42 in the morning!  Working from home is a time management and time balancing act I am ill-prepared to manage.  It’s killing me because if ever there was a time for thinking positive, it’s now!

There are four people in my house, so I am not socially isolated, but in a way I am.  Looking at the same faces day in and day out can be a struggle, I am learning, and no amount of positive thinking can take away the irritation that can build when you are in that situation.  I think the best option any of us have right now is to go outside and get moving.  Go for a short walk, even if it’s to the end of your driveway.  If you can manage to set it up, go work out on your back deck for a while.  Go for a walk in the rain (that’s my plan today).  Wave to your neighbors from your porch.  Skype or Facetime your friends and family.

Social distancing does not mean social isolation – we are not in solitary confinement, and seeing a new/different face, even if it is from six feet apart, can make a huge difference. I went up to one of our local trails to walk and I saw my hair stylist in the parking lot!  It was so nice to see someone that wasn’t a family member and talk to somebody that wasn’t affiliated with work  By the way, can I tell you how much I hate zoom meetings!!!!  And this weekend, my kids karate instructors brought their family up to wave to my kids from the car.  Little things like that make all the difference in the world.

If you’re struggling seeing the same faces and the same four walls, you have the power to do something about that. Social distancing does not mean social isolation.  Go for a drive, pull up to a friend’s house and wave.  Go for a walk around your neighborhood and wave and say hi to your neighbors.  Check on your elderly neighbors and those you know have underlying health conditions.  Reach out to them and make sure they’re okay and see if they need anything.

This is a trying time for all of us but as they keep reminding us, we’re all in this together, and together we’ll get through it, and I think we’re going to come out stronger on the other side.