by Amy Thetford
You are tired. You are weary. You are an overworked, overwhelmed mom who is over the coronavirus crisis.
I get you.
I feel you.
I am you.
We are all affected in some way by what’s going on around us – medically, economically, or both.
I, like many of you, am scared. I’m scared for my medically complex children. I’m scared for my mom who has a whole host of pre-existing conditions. I’m scared because I lost a significant portion of my income. Frankly, I’m just scared.
And that’s okay.
It’s okay to be scared.
Also, I’m sad.
I miss my mom. We are 1500 miles away and she’d planned to move closer to us in the coming months. With her hours cut, income in question, and no end date in sight to the current quarantine, we have no idea when she’ll make it here.
My boys’ special needs baseball league canceled their spring season. The players (including my own) are heartbroken. The coaches and volunteers who give so generously of their time, energy, and affection are crushed. Hopefully we’ll get to play again in the fall. But that’s a long way away, especially for kids who’ve looked forward to spring baseball all winter long.
Let’s just call it like it is. It stinks.
And it’s okay to feel that way.
This is a time of grieving for many. Many have lost loved ones. Many have battled illness themselves. Many have lost income. Over 10 million people filed for unemployment in March alone. That doesn’t include updated numbers from April or the many who will file in the months to come.
Our country is seeing the loss of lives and of livelihoods.
And it’s okay to feel things…all. the. things….because of the circumstances surrounding us right now.
Kids miss their teachers, friends, and activities.
Teens are missing high school proms and graduations, rites of passage for so many.
Families are separated. Frontline workers forced to live in isolation to keep their loved ones safe.
Nursing homes are closed to any visitors. The elderly are a vulnerable population, but the loneliness so many are experiencing is heartbreaking.
Bottom line – hardship abounds. It may not look exactly the same for everyone, but we need to remember that through this, we are not alone.
We are not alone.
Our nation (heck the entire globe!) is facing this thing together as one.
The only way to make it through is by looking up. Looking forward. Finding that one thing to hold on for.
Better days are ahead. Maybe it’s cliche, but the sun will come out tomorrow.
This is not the end of our story.
Find the good. Choose gratitude. Make that your focus.
Are you getting to spend more time with your family? Do you still have a job through this? Are you noticing more positivity in the news – a focus on the way communities are coming together to help one another?
Whatever your situation is, find the good.
Don’t get me wrong though….
It’s okay to not be okay.
It’s okay to be scared, angry, and sad. Feel your feelings. But, don’t let them rule you. Don’t let coronavirus steal your joy. Don’t give it that power.
Be still. Breathe. Be intentional. You can’t control your circumstances, but you can always control your response.
Don’t let this break you down. Let it propel you forward.
You’ve got this.
We’ve got this.
Together.
What good are you seeing right now? What is bringing you joy? What one thing are you looking forward to when we come out the other side? Share below and let’s support one another!
Blogger and writer for hire, Amy Thetford empowers women to make the most of their time, energy, and budgets with actionable advice from a mom in the trenches. See more of what she’s got to say at www.realtalkwithamy.com.
