This isn’t how I thought 2020 was going to go.

I remember sitting at my dining table just before breaking for the Christmas holidays with my biz bestie planning our 2020 schedule.

I had big plans, and in February, things were coming together –

• New brand updates
• New membership website with all the bells and whistles
• Personal website overhaul
• Booked out till May
• Workshops and Meetups booked

By March we started to see what was coming on the horizon, but I don’t know if we really understood what was going to happen. Really, how could we? To be sitting here, alone, wondering when might the next time I get to hug my parents is just terrifying. They’re 70 + and their health isn’t amazing and I’m not going to pretend that at 2 am in the morning I haven’t sat wondering if I might not get that hug.

But I also know I can’t just freeze permanently. I can’t just put down the tools for 6 months and binge watch Grey’s Anatomy…(OK I’m totally binge-watching this. At night.)

We actually went into self-isolation early, my partner had to go overseas for work, so as I write this we’re almost at 3 weeks of isolation. Some days are fine and some days have been pretty hard, but I think I’m now finding my groove so I thought it was time to share some lessons I’ve learned along the way. (Seriously, 3 weeks makes me an expert doesn’t it?)

Movement is everything

Every day involves some movement whether it’s running after sheep that have escaped, yoga in my living room, random 80’s aerobic videos on YouTube or running around with Ned the dog. I’ve learned movement is everything because on the  couple of days I haven’t done something, those are the days where it all seems too big and fear starts to creep in.

The small things matter

This probably isn’t a surprise for you but I’m all about the planning and listing. I like to have a plan in place, it helps with anxiety and productivity. I quickly realised the things that I love to do e.g. being able to see friends and catch up with family aren’t really available at the moment. So I did what I do best. Made a list. A list of what things still bring me joy.

What can you do while staying in your own home that still makes you happy? Here are some of my list:

• Zoom lunch with the ladies, it’s BYO champs and lunch and is the perfect time to get together on Zoom with my besties to enjoy time together as we would at our fav pub
• Pedicures / Manicures – missing your nail tech already? So was I. So I set a date with myself to throw on a movie and do my nails
• Blow-dry my hair nicely – ok, I’m really not good at this but having my hair done makes me feel good, and that helps with feeling happy
• Gardening – this is why I need a weekly date with my nails! I’ve found a love for my garden and am rather proud that I’ve managed to propagate this year’s veggies from seeds
• Create care packs – this isn’t for me, it’s actually to give away but I’ve created some care packs for people that need a little help at this time (and yes they include toilet paper but also some items to help bring some happiness because when someone is just fighting to get the bare essentials a little something extra just means so much).

Other things I’m enjoying – meditating, journaling, blending essential oils, and sitting in the sun.

This list isn’t created to save the world; it’s just a small number of things that help remind me to enjoy where I am in that moment.

Stay connected (on your terms)

Social distancing isn’t going to go away overnight and it’s almost certainly going to get more intense in the coming days so making sure we stay connected is pretty imperative – isolation hurts.

But we also need to respect our boundaries. I know everyone I’ve spoken to is dealing with this issue differently, some of us – including me – might like to retreat a little to work out our things without having to answers all the messages, phone calls, FB messages, and Whatsapp chats.

It’s great to have boundaries, especially now.

Finally, do all the things!

You know all those things on your to-do list that have been there for quite some time? Now is the time to get them done! I’ve been working on upgrading my website, combining my current business brands, work on a partnership project with my biz bestie, and do projects around the house that might have needed completing a while ago.

The sense of accomplishment after I tick off these things on my list is just another thing to spark joy.

Let me know what’s on your list.