Sup Yall!?
Happy one month of sheltering in place. Yup! It was one month ago, March 13th when the CDC encouraged all states to have Stay at Home/Shelter in Place mandates. So how has the last month been? Originally I said oh I ebb & flow, some days are better than others, but the reality is, it’s been more like Hustle and Flow. I mentioned last week the Grind vs Chill dilemma.
Some days I am so on it, I wake up and complete my entire morning routine and I am ready to go by 9/9:30. Other days, I wake up and I’m sad. Sad that I have to stay in the house for 22-23 hours, sad that I can’t go to a cafe (haha) and sad that so many people are dying and being impacted by this virus. I’ll be in my feels about how Black people are disproportionately falling ill & dying (in large part due to historical and systemic racism & inequities). I’ll be upset that I can’t get a donut. BUT THEN, the next day I wake up, go on an early morning walk, film + edit an at home workout. I bang out a blog post, finish watching a lecture (for my personal training cert) and plan my virtual training workouts.
This is a WHOLE message!
Literally I’m either hustling or flowing. Flowing isn’t a bad thing, and neither is hustling. I let myself and my emotions be and vibe out. There are times when I need to push myself to not be stagnant or not work all day, but that goes back to balance and knowing yourself.
One thing that has been particularly concerning are the folks out there reprimanding others for not
picking up a skill
learning a language
creating a side hustle
writing / creating profusely
Then on the other side of the spectrum, we have folks not doing anything who are antagonized and irritated with people who are putting out content and who have to the time to dig into their side-hustles.
It’s like no one can win. If I’m flowing, the hustlers want me to hustle. If I’m hustling, the flow folks want me to chill. I saw an amazing post about this last week and it’s the image to my right.
Do want you need to do during this time and know that every day and within a day, your energy levels may fluctuate. Talk to your people and let them know, how you’re feeling. Check in on your friends because just like you’re going though it, they are too. I have no idea how this experience would be if I had children and a demanding job. Also, I don’t know how this my life would look if I weren’t employed and concerned about finances and employment. What I do know: mental health woes are high: anxiety, chronic stress, depression..they are here and need TLC.
Reading in park, social distance approved.
This is your reminder: everyone across the entire world is in the pandemic...together. Extend kindness, grace and compassion. Look for ways that you can help your community. Don’t worry about hustling hard core or relaxing and taking it easy, you must do what’s best for you (and your family.)
If you ever want to talk about anything. I’m here!
Stay safe and take care of your health + wellbeing.
-xo
JM