When it comes to the end of the day I think to myself "I didn't DO anything today!" But as I ponder it in my head, I realize that yes, I did do quite a number of things today. They were just different things than I usually do, and they were things I prefer to do but don't always make time for.
I spent some time near the water.... IN my car.... burning incense (an evergreen combination), reading a book, drinking my morning coffee.
I joined in with an on-line meditation,
I re-read some of my plant course information,
I washed the bathmat,
I set up several blog posts with pictures and links,
I made various pots of tea with dried herbs that I have previously gathered,
I watched some videos on You Tube that I enjoy,
I listened to music.
I looked on-line at the offerings some of the local stores have posted, so that when I get out, I can buy local and help them out.
It has actually been a good day, even though it took me a minute to realize it. We have been pushed to run here and there to get things done, neglecting what we prefer..... this is a good time to stop. Admittedly, a fair amount of my running around previously has been grocery shopping as I've been gypsying around with no permanent place to stay and no real storage space for food. If it wasn't dried, or couldn't fit in a very small space in someone's fridge, it didn't come home with me. That meant several trips to the store during the week. But these days I am only going when necessary and have a bit more fridge room. Even some cupboards! It's awesome! I am grateful!
Life hasn't actually changed much for me, being in isolation. I was either at home, at the water, or at work even before COVID came along. If the weather is good, I might be camping. The things I have found challenging are remembering to wear my mask; finding just the right placement for mask and glasses so I can still see with bifocals; remembering to sterilize my hands after I leave a store, and not being able to get together with friends.
I miss time spent camping outdoors. In the beginning of lock down, all the campsites and pull-offs were closed. Now, they have opened up to some degree, but EVERYONE is there... That totally negates the reason I go. I love the peace and quiet. The breeze in the trees; the bird song; the sound of the river running; this is what soothes me - not the sound of dogs barking, people yelling, and dirt bikes roaring through the bush. I am not saying they should be quiet.... people with kids, dogs, and dirt bikes need places they can go and have fun. Getting outdoors is the best therapy for everyone. I'm just saying that right now, outdoors is one of the few places we can go, so everyone is out there. Normally, it's not so busy.
Life for me, a year later, hasn't changed much, but there are definitely things I miss and things that stress me. I find as many peaceful spaces as I can, and take advantage of them to soothe my soul. I go out early in the morning before too many people are out and about and sit with my coffee under some trees by the water. I wear my headphones more often to listen to calming music and tune out the neighbours and traffic. I do more of the things that calm and relax me.
This can only be a good thing.
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