To Do List: You

Things I have realized about myself in the past several months since the lockdown of March 2020: 

• I love lists (and they help keep me sane)
• My anxiety has increased with age (or I always had anxiety & just never had the language…but it most definitely has still increased with age either way)
• I am happier when I am reading (since I have started to pick up reading more and binge tv less I have noticed I feel more grounded) 
• Stretching is a necessity for a person like me (who has severe herniated and bulging discs) 
• Listening to music increases my productivity and brings me joy
• I don’t need to completely cut off coffee (I love it too much – there is a thing of balance between coffee & tea) 
• Creating new recipes & cooking is a way to show my love for others and gets my creative juices flowing in the kitchen (grateful that I have been able to cook for not just myself, but my partner over this time in quarantine..) 
• Above all else – writing makes me feel whole

I’m sure the list could go on and on (see above, cause ya know…I love lists). The point is though, I’m not sure I fall amongst those that have “accomplished so much over this time” but I know I have learned a lot about myself. I’m sure you all have too, if you take some time to reflect. Sometimes the tiniest of things are actually rewards, just depends on your point of view. 

The world is still in chaos, whether we are choosing to be aware of that or not. It just is, and more than likely will be for a bit. 

In knowing that, the most important question is – how are you taking care of you?

Remember the flight attendant reminds us (remember flights? Airplanes?…those things in the sky?) before trying to save others we must put the oxygen mask on ourselves first. 

If you set goals for yourself in the age old “New Year, New Me” mindset – good for you. If you didn’t, eh no worries – I didn’t either. One thing I will propose you do after you finish reading this post is: think of one thing you promise to do that will be taking care of you this year – one thing that will leave you feeling happier, more loved, healthier, or better taken care of. 

What’s that one thing?

And I’ll leave you with a line from one of my favorite poets: 

“You are the best thing that has ever happened to you”
– Andrea Gibson, ‘Boomerang Valentine’