Welcome to the Red Zone.\u00a0 \u00a0Cue the music and lights.\u00a0\u00a0Kidding.\u00a0 Don’t get mad.\u00a0 I’m just having fun and trying to make it sound better and more fun than it actually is.\u00a0 Red Zone means more restrictions.\u00a0 Again.\u00a0 Just as we were starting to see things open up again after a very long second lockdown.\u00a0 Hard to keep track of what’s open.\u00a0 What we can do and not do.\u00a0 Where can we go and not go.\u00a0 \u00a0Sigh.\u00a0 When is this going to be over?<\/p>\n
All I know is it\u00a0seemed like everyone was out this weekend.\u00a0 As if when the clock struck midnight everything would be shut down. The mall was busy.\u00a0 SO BUSY.\u00a0 I had to make a stop in to pick up a few things for my daughters upcoming birthday and the girls behind the counter at one store said “It’s been NUTS! People think we’re closing because we’re moving to the red.\u00a0 We’re not.\u00a0 We’re staying open.\u00a0 Limiting the number of people in store.”\u00a0 So, a reminder to people.\u00a0 Just because we’re in the red doesn’t mean the same thing as lockdown.\u00a0 And if you are going to a business, be sure to do the screening<\/a> on your phone in advance.<\/p>\n I was out this weekend and for a minute I felt a bit of normal.\u00a0 I got a new “old” outfit at Goodwill.\u00a0 I got a fancy coffee with a name I have trouble pronouncing, first one since the first lockdown.\u00a0 It was nice.\u00a0 I savoured it.<\/p>\n I got dressed up and went to church yesterday.\u00a0 Threw on some lipstick before realizing nobody would see it underneath the mask anyway. (smile)\u00a0 But I FELT good wearing it.\u00a0 And like so many other things, church isn’t the same.\u00a0 Only a handful of people.\u00a0 Social distanced.\u00a0 Chairs set apart from the others.\u00a0 But as soon as I walked in the door it felt so good to see people again.\u00a0 People I haven’t seen in months.\u00a0 People I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing until I saw their face.\u00a0 It’s also the first time in a really long time I’ve heard live music.\u00a0 Nothing better.<\/p>\n It’s the first time in months that I had somewhere to go and needed to get dressed and be on time.\u00a0 Which was nice.\u00a0 And proof that I could still in fact do it.\u00a0 I was worried I’d forgotten what that was like.\u00a0 Working from home isn’t like that.\u00a0 I rarely get dressed up.\u00a0 And honestly, I can do it gradually through the day.\u00a0 This morning I was still in my robe five minutes before our Google Meet meeting.\u00a0 Just being honest.\u00a0 Working from home is tough on routine.\u00a0 It’s especially hard on Monday making that transition from home to work.\u00a0 Our brains don’t want to.<\/p>\n I was starting to believe I wasn’t really missing going out or people that much.\u00a0 I wasn’t feeling comfortable going out and I wasn’t feeling like I needed to join the world again.\u00a0 I was getting totally comfortable in the comfort of my own home.\u00a0 Sitting in my comfy clothes – or robe (smile) at my make-do work desk in my scrapbook room.<\/p>\n But as soon as I saw a familiar face, I couldn’t stop smiling.<\/p>\n The one thing I will complain about?\u00a0 I can’t get my earrings back in.\u00a0 Well, that’s not true.\u00a0 One side is still fine.\u00a0 The other seems to have grown over.\u00a0 It’s been a long time since I’ve cared enough to put on earrings.\u00a0 A sign of the times?\u00a0 I guess.\u00a0 I guess it’s another reason to make sure, even if you’re working from home, that you take time to keep doing regular things.\u00a0 Even putting on a pair of earrings.<\/p>\n Thank you to everyone for reaching out and sharing your messages with me as we continue through this.\u00a0 I know it’s challenging.\u00a0 I know it’s frustrating.\u00a0 And I know we all want it to end so we can go back to normal.<\/p>\n Keep doing those small little things that help you feel a little “normal” through this abnormal time.\u00a0 Even if it’s a coffee in the drive thru.<\/p>\n What is your go-to?\u00a0 What is something you have done that helps you stay connected to life and other people that helps you get through it?<\/p>\n Email me anytime – let’s stay connected<\/p>\n