I really like this new term called “social distancing” because now I have a name for what Iโve been doing pretty much my whole life. Those who know me well are keenly aware that I love to stay home and tend to find it a struggle to actually leave my house unless it is for a run outside. ๐ฌ Therefore, with the new quarantine guidelines, I have to admit that I am really in a place of comfort. I would say this is a strength of mine and now I can brag about it. ๐ค In the past, especially after Robin died, I have been gently advised by friends and family that I needed to get out more. Who knew that I was a trendsetter? ๐ฅณ
I had known about the coronavirus for awhile as my friends in China were being quarantined in February. However, I never thought it would spread around the world and we too would find ourselves in lock-down. ๐ท The virus or at least the panic hit my community about a week and a half ago from my best estimates. All hell broke out and word traveled quickly that we better go and buy food and supplies for at least a two week quarantine. ๐ My first thoughts were, this is ridiculous and secondly, who cares? …. we had already had a well stocked utility closet. ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ You see, I hate going to Costco so when I do absolutely need to go, I mass buy everything in order not to return anytime soon. ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐Needless to say, I was feeling confident with my stash of paper goods, pasta, canned goods etc.. that we were going to make it just fine. ๐And in hindsight, I am also fortunate that there was still excess supplies from Robin’s Shiva (funeral reception at the house). Letโs just say we did not get the anticipated turnout expected which led to a surplus of unwanted paper goods for nearly two years. โน๏ธ I mean, is it a big deal to wipe our ass with a high end napkin with an embossed print of a flower – I say no!๐
I have been asked if I am scared of this virus and my answer is “no.’ ๐งThe reason is that I have been through far worse. Losing Robin was terrifying to me and to figure out and manage without him in our life was a nightmare. The dreams of growing old together, raising Isabelle and having my partner in crime were gone. ๐ Over the last nineteen months, I had to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. ๐ I also needed to be ok knowing that I have to support Isabelle and myself emotionally and financially on my own. To me, that was frightening! ๐ป Therefore, I am confident that we will eventually contain this virus and hopefully get through it with minimal human or economic long term loss.๐ค๐ป
However, I would like to share some words of wisdom and observations. First of all and most important, our communities needs to stay safe and follow the guidelines provided to us by our State and the CDC. Unfortunately, I am certainly seeing many people struggle to adhere to these very basic principles but that is another story for another time. ๐๐ปThe real issue and challenge for all of us is to deal with change and adapt to a new set of circumstances which involves a bit of sacrifice of our personal freedom for a short amount of time. ๐ค Yet if we were all to do a little soul searching, I think this pandemic is a WAKE UP call for everyone. ๐ต I think the world and our relationships with one are out of alignment. ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ Over the last few years, we have shown very little tolerance to differences in opinion, especially politically. ๐ค I am very guilty of this one too. ๐ People have short cords and we have seen an outbreak of violence occur almost on a weekly basis with innocent lives being lost because someone blew. ๐คฏ We do not respect the earth and our natural resources, we overuse, pollute, create waste which has led to very freaky natural disasters and weather patterns. ๐ฅ๐ฆโ๏ธ๐๐จโก๏ธโ๏ธAs a society we are disconnected, obsessed with social media and any other distraction to avoid paying attention to the present and one another. ๐คณ๐ปI am not trying to get preachy, I am just stating a fact that we are not in harmony. ๐ผ MAYBE just maybe there is goodness that can come from all of this! ๐ Maybe we can slow down, re-calibrate, get back to basics and start to appreciate one another and this world a little more. ๐ Ok, that was deep – but needed to be said. We will now move on to the entertaining portion of this blog (at least I hope you find Isabelle and my mundane antics amusing)๐ฏโโ๏ธ๐ฏโโ๏ธ
So what are we doing in the Borr house during our quarantine? Please let me illuminate our spiritual awakening here in West Bloomfield, MI. ๐ง๐ป 1. Waking Up – Isabelle and I negotiate who will go downstairs first and let the dogs out cause they always seem to be barking before either of us are interested in peeling out of bed. I generally lose the argument but seeing their cute pug faces is hard for me to be annoyed too long. ๐ฉ 2. Making Breakfast – I have a little routine where I let the dogs out as discussed above and then I proceed to wake up the house which includes opening the blinds, emptying the dishwasher so the kitchen is clean and ready to go. Yet in our new situation, Isabelle has thrown my schedule off. She starts cooking breakfast, piling the dishes in the sink and messing up the counters before I have emptied the dishwasher. ๐ฅฃ๐ด๐ณThis makes me crazy and we end up screaming at each other and I ban her from the kitchen. โ She laughs as she knows my discipline never sticks. And yes, every once in awhile she actually empties the dishwasher for me.๐ 3. Exercise – Luckily the local studios have gotten innovative and are putting great workouts online. CelyFit host our normal zumba and weight classes which I am doing in my new gym studio (which is our converted back room). ๐๐ป It is serving us perfectly. I am able to hook up my computer to our large TV screen and sound bar – and it is awesome. Isabelle and I do spend some time together as we exercise to the Beach Body Workout or Orange Theory. When the self quarantine breaks, we will be ready for our bikinis with our six pack abs (well at least she will be – not so much for me). ๐Also what has been amazing is the weather although a little cold, still a perfect alternative. Getting outside to run or walk is incredible for your mind and soul. Since the virus, I have seen Robins (birds) all over the place making me believe that everything is going to be OK. ๐ฆ 4. Working From Home – Oh and then there is that. Probably not the best time to start a consulting group but I have been staying busy as I develop tools, marketing, contracts, networking etc.. It is nice to reconnect with former colleagues and friends and see how I can help out. I am starting to get traction and that is very exciting for me. ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ผ 5. Podcasts, Reading and Learning – What a great time to learn new things. This is a once a lifetime opportunity to study stuff you never had time for in the past. I have been learning about marketing and maybe web design – who knows – probably not. ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ 6. Meditation and Yoga – I have been meditating and doing yoga for awhile but find it especially comforting now. For yoga, it is my personal goal to improve my balance and loosen up. I find myself taking online classes with that dude who has been doing yoga forever – Rodney Yee (he is so zen). ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธAlso I have been going through the class “Hip Hip Hooray – to increase flexibility in my hips – funny title and a little embarrassing but what the heck. ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ 7. Emotional Isolation – This is what happens when you have a fairly large house and a teenager.๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธI go for hours on end where I do not see Isabelle. She is sequestered in her room or some other part of the house. It feels a little strange so I try to suggest at least one hour a day for together time. ๐ฉโ๐งShe rolls her eyes and tells me I am overreacting. ๐ We are still working on this one and our common ground has been about a 20 minute workout every other day together. More to come on this front as it is definitely an opportunity for improvement. 8. Inventory – I go to my storage room and count toilet paper rolls and towels to ensure we have enough supplies for the apocalypse. โ๐ป๐งป๐งป๐งป Ha ha just kidding wanted to see if anyone was reading. ๐
Back to being serious, I know these are unsettling times and we need to find a little humor and patience as we get through this apart and together. ๐ฅ I hope some good will happen as we take stock on what is truly important. โค๏ธ Enjoy spending time with your family, improving yourself mentally and physically, getting rest and following the isolation rules to lower the virus curve. ๐ Call a friend, mend a relationship, be creative, support small businesses and lets restore humankind together. ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ง๐จโ๐จโ๐ฆโ๐ฆ๐จโ๐งโ๐ง We can choose to live in fear or to THRIVE – I prefer the later. ๐๐ป Let’s innovate and create something new and fabulous from this situation.๐กBut most of all stay safe and healthy! ๐๐ปWishing everyone peace and love. ๐๐ปโค๏ธ