I knew things had changed for me when a chat with my neighbor over the fence became … well, was it risky? Even reckless? Was I imagining things, or was the rhetoric surrounding COVID-19 getting downright upsetting? As I stood there in the weakening evening sunlight, questioning the very nature of a simple conversation, I knew this pandemic had officially landed in my back yard, and everything changed. I got scared. I lost two night’s sleep. My thoughts went round and round as I waited for something to make sense. What was I supposed to do about all this?
It’s likely you’re having a similar experience, if, like me, you are a human being on planet Earth. We’re all in this together, we are all interconnected. And that means our staff is in the fray alongside you. Here’s how we’re coping.
Lisa: “I've been reaching out through texts, phone calls and FaceTime to try to keep connected. FaceTime has been particularly helpful in feeling some of the closeness that actual human contact brings.”
Lauren: “Just taking some time every morning and evening to sit with how I'm feeling has been essential. Acknowledging the fear and anxiety and how that feels in my body. And then inviting the Stillness in. I feel that the collective human pause pays homage to Mother Earth, allowing her to breathe and attempt to rejuvenate. Connecting into that gives me hope and holds me up.”
Jenni: “There’s an article circulating by a nun who speaks to her life-long practice of social distancing. One thing she reminded her readers of, and that resonated with me, is to create a new normal routine. Get up at a reasonable time, get dressed in something other than your pjs, and tell yourself that each day, no matter where you are, has meaning. What you are doing each day is important, no matter how different it may look from your old routine. I personally know that while it can feel hard initially, there is a lot to be learned and even some deep joy that can be found in solitude, which is different than isolation. Stay connected TO THE THINGS THAT SERVE YOU and release the things that don't. Invest in yourself.”
Here are a few of our favorite responses to the same question on our socials. How are you coping?
“On Youtube we found a kids dance class, gymnastics demos, sing alongs, lots of things for free that are interactive and got the kids moving. We sewed little scraps of fabric together, added feet, and called them hamsters.” -Sarah
“Get[ting] outside as much as possible. Daily walks have saved us so many times. Keep your distance, but get that fresh air and change in scenery.” -Danielle
“Follow @busytoddler on Instagram for tons of activity ideas!” - Abbie
“I have to get dressed in non-pajama clothing and spend a few minutes making my hair presentable and putting on mascara, like I would if I was leaving the house. My energy is lower if I don't. It's obviously not for anyone else because no one is going to see me, but for some reason it helps my mental space--like a signal to my brain that I'm ready to go for the day.” -Kristen
“Give grace and share the big hard feelings!” -Becca
“Take lots of baths”. -Jenn
“[Do an] early Earth Day clean up.” -Jessie
Shelley DeWees is a three-time Willow client who spends her days chasing a preschooler son and toddler daughter around her neighborhood in South St Paul. Her third addition, another boy, is almost nine months old and recently learned how to speak Sheep (“bah bah bah bah bahhhhh!!!”). Her love of workout classes has translated into an obsession with TurboKick Live! sessions online during quarantine.