02/08/2020
BASIC SURVIVAL...COVID-19
Now that’s one way to survive impacts of COVID-19! Again with our numbers on Victoria, I am reminded of the only thing we can be sure of: death, taxes and conflict...just had a birthday! I think it would have been very had to convince me 12 months ago I would be celebrating only with my household and could only go outside with a mask!!
In the COVID-19 situation I recognise, there is little I can influence except how I respond, how I look after myself, and by carefully controlling what I let into my body and mind! I certainly don’t need to get in an argument about whether to wear masks or not - with that in mind its a great idea to limit the negative media input into our brains!
In all honesty, Leisa and I have found isolation to be very rewarding and we are grateful yet recognise that for many this has not been the case. For us it has taken some work so I’m hoping that these practical tips that have benefited us can help you:
1. Clear Boundaries! Your home should not be considered the workplace! We need to make sure we know when it converts between one and the other, boundaries are understood and can be freely called out when broken.
2. Patience! Few of us are cut out for spending significant time with people, let alone our family when there is limited escape - be patient with each other, on the things of little consequence, its better to appologise and maintain the relationships than to be right!
3. “Sustainable” Routine! We can not control when we return to some form of normal...so our routine needs to be sustainable and must include a balance: between thinking/meditation/prayer, relationships, healthy eating, exercise, relaxing and work.
4. Discipline - a friend of mine (surely stollen) defines discipline as “making decisions to do the things that must be done, when they need to be done even though you would rather not do them!” In short, once you agree on points 1, 2 & 3 commit to doing them regardless.
5. Review - no family/couple individual is perfect (certainly not Leisa and I!) so test and adjust your routine is a great idea.
6. Accountability - “We can not solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them!” Albert Einstein. If you want to make change, you need a coach/good accountability partner! No one likes to report/track but it is good for us. The right coach will be an encourager (we all need this!), listen to your needs/desires and help you stretch yourself appropriately beyond your own understanding you grow and achieve In the areas you define as success.
If you relate to any of the above, please like the post and I would be happy to expand on our routine and what we’ve been doing to protect our mental health and immune system.
