I appreciate those people in the world that aren’t afraid to be real.\u00a0 I appreciate those people that aren’t afraid to admit flaws and imperfections. I appreciate people who aren’t afraid to admit when they aren’t okay.<\/p>\n
Because right now – there’s a lot of people feeling not okay.\u00a0 \u00a0I can tell you it’s been the most challenging time for me.\u00a0 I guess I’ve always been a worrier.\u00a0 But this is different.<\/p>\n
And even if things are OPEN again, we’re wearing masks, standing six feet apart, waiting in line to get in.\u00a0 We’re feeling lonely, and disconnected.\u00a0 Or maybe that’s just me.<\/p>\n
There’s still some things we are waiting for.\u00a0 There’s no new tv, or movies, or theatres or live concerts.\u00a0 It’s STILL VERY DIFFERENT.\u00a0 And I think there’s a general feeling of heaviness.<\/p>\n
I think of someone like Michelle Obama and I think “she is strong, a leader, a motivator, encourager “.\u00a0 \u00a0 I don’t think of her as someone who would struggle.\u00a0 But in her latest podcast she shared how she believes she’s been experiencing “low-grade depression”.\u00a0 She admitted that she had been dealing with emotional \u201chighs and lows\u201d over the past few weeks and months.\u00a0 Waking up in the middle of the night because she’s worrying about something or there’s a heaviness.<\/p>\n
Anybody else feel like that?<\/p>\n
I go for walks or bike rides, and get uncomfortable when there’s lots of people around.<\/p>\n
Trying to have conversations through masks and plexiglass is near impossible. Like a game of telephone.\u00a0 Bound to be challenging.\u00a0 I tried to pick up a pizza last weekend and it took a few minutes for the girl behind the counter to get my name.\u00a0 It almost turned into a game of charades.<\/p>\n
Michelle Obama says she takes breaks from routine when necessary, but finds that, for the most part, staying in that routine\u00a0 – including regular exercise, meal times and spending time outside – helps her feel okay.\u00a0 And says\u00a0 \u201cThe idea that what this country is going through shouldn\u2019t have any effect on us\u2014that we all should just feel OK all the time\u2014that just doesn\u2019t feel real to me,\u201d<\/p>\n
Her advice? Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling.\u00a0 Listen to yourself, and take a moment to reflect on everything that’s coming at us, and what you might be able to do about it.”<\/p>\n
Feel it.\u00a0 Whatever it is.<\/p>\n
Feel grateful for time at home with the family.<\/p>\n
Feel mad about all we’ve had to lose and give up.<\/p>\n
We’re all different and so is our reaction to what we’re dealing with.\u00a0 Remember to be kind and compassionate.\u00a0 Everybody is feeling something different right now.\u00a0 On any given day, I could seriously use every emoji available.<\/p>\n