I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to experience the memory of these “Quarantini Times.” It’s painful to hear about those who are suffering — body, soul or bank account. These could easily turn into dark days and memories full of heartache.
I first started thinking of the image of myself at the end of this time for a superficial reason. I noticed I was buying comfort foods and/or trigger foods — albeit super healthy items, but ones with which I don’t seem to have the power to stop at just one serving. I was staring down the barrel of COVID 19 — a guaranteed nineteen pound weight gain if I kept that up.
I was also allowing myself to slip out of my six hour intermittent fasting window to an eight hour window. I know that to maintain, let alone lose weight, I need to stick to a six hour window for eating. More important, I feel better when I stick to it.
I looked in the mirror and thought “Is this what you want the legacy of this time to be? Weight gain and overeating?
I was self-medicating, so I had to look inside. The “why” was not buried too deep.
I was bummed I had to cancel three parties I was hosting. I have a lot of March birthday peeps in my life, and had a dear friend move across the country. I was so looking forward to creating beauty and magic because it fills my soul to give in that way.
I always spend a lot of time alone. I work from home and live with no humans, just two furry love bugs, Lucy and Tallulah. But I entertain pretty regularly so I get to express my love and get some delicious time with friends on a regular basis.
So I decided I would still connect with friends like I do when I’m super busy — phone and text. And I make fancy non-alcoholic drinks like the Quarantini above that I have every day because I love it so much. And I have been cooking more elaborately for myself, which I never have done before.
I realized I can feed my soul, have fun and powerfully choose: weight gain will not be a legacy of this time.
I also became conscious of a beautiful by-product of this time: more nature. I am actually craving more nature just like I’ve been craving fruits and vegetables. (Side Confession: When I got low on fresh blackberries I ran out to replenish my stock and kind of held my breath as I walked a little too frantically to Sprouts’ fruit section.)
So instead of one walk a day Lucy, Tallulah and I get two or three turns with nature as well as more two minute mini-breaks outside with the birds who seem to be particularly joyous, frolicking in the reduced human traffic.
More time with nature will be a happy legacy of this time.
The gym finally closed and I just today cancelled my membership. I’ll be buying a bike to use at home. It will save me time and money in the long run, and I’ll get back to working out sooner.
I’d like hitting my goal weight to be a legacy of this time.
I’m making more phone calls to friends and family I haven’t spoken to in a long time. I’m dropping off surprise gifts (with proper sanitizing).
I’d like more love to be a legacy of this time.
I am enjoying more quiet, more stillness. I am finally back into way increased meditation times. I was antsy the first several days, spending far too much time in front of the TV. But now I am craving it like the fruits and veggies. I hope the craving deepens.
I hope stillness is an ever-burgeoning legacy of this time.
I’m writing. I’m brainstorming. I’d like for there to be a creative project that comes out of this. I am guessing it will be born of the stillness, and I’m trying to not be too driven about it. Why do I always have to have a “thing,” a “success,” a “product” at the end of the journey?
I’d like allowing to be a legacy of this time.
How about you? What would you like your legacy of these Quarantini Times to be?