Some of us have sought solace in our own bubbles of being after more than a year of lockdowns or restriction. As restrictions loosen across the community and our social media feeds are filled with places beginning to reopening, we may start to feel anxious. But, because we have been through so much, it is perfectly natural to feel a range of emotions, from excitement to overwhelm or anxiety. Let’s look at how you can learn to cope with coming out of a pandemic.
It’s important to acknowledge that you have options. It is absolutely fine if you are not ready to fill your calendar with social activities. Friends and family should not pressure you into doing more than you are happy with. You might feel overwhelmed at first after being out and about for too long but take it slowly. Try not to concentrate on what others are doing to help you remain calm, and instead focus on yourself.
Talk about how you feel with someone that you trust
Talking to a trusted friend or family member about how you are feeling is a crucial first step in regaining control of your life. It is very likely that they are experiencing the same feelings as you. After all, we have all been through this together and will emerge stronger as a result. Recognize that any doubts or concerns you have are rational.
Consider what advice you would offer a friend who said that they felt this way and treat yourself with the same kindness. If you do not feel comfortable approaching a friend or family member, there are plenty of professional agencies who can lend a helpful and caring ear.
Be organized
It is possible that being in a crowd right now is daunting. Take some time to prepare and create a schedule for returning to work and socializing. Call ahead to find out when bars and restaurants are open to avoid the busiest times of the day. It is also a good idea to inquire about the precautions in place to keep you safe.
Many people, understandably, would be concerned about public transport. Consider how you can reduce your risk factor and increase your sense of security. Bring hand sanitizer with you, wear a mask, and keep your distance from others.
Look after your body and mind
When life becomes busier, it is important to schedule a time to care for your health. Consider what you require right now in order to truly care for yourself and make it a priority. It may be that you need some rest or a quiet moment – whatever it is, make time for it. For many people, now is the time to get that long-overdue haircut, manicure, or sort out your smile with All on 4 Dental Implants. If it makes you feel good, and it is safe to do so, do it!
Keep up to date with news, but know when to switch it off
Make sure you have the most up-to-date knowledge and information from reputable sources. If it starts to feel stressful, limit your news consumption to once a day.
I pray that you are doing well. Spring is around the corner, and daffodils are starting to bloom.
It is hard to imagine that at this time last year, the world began shutting down, and everything came to a sudden halt. COVID-19 hit like a bombshell and quickly changed life as we knew it. Schools shut down, public events were canceled, and people were told not to leave their homes. A temporary solution to a potentially serious situation would be necessary to keep us safe so that we could return to a normal life.
One year ago today (March 18th), my wife and I started working from home with the anticipation of returning to the office by April 6th. That two-and-a-half-week period has turned into a full year. We are still working at home for most of our time while returning full time in the office has not yet been discussed.
No one could have imagined that a year later, we are still talking about it. We are still under the grips of COVID-19 and still looking to return to normal. What is normal? Thankfully, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. People are now being vaccinated, new cases are going down, and businesses are being reopened.
Without question, COVID has affected everyone, either directly or indirectly. Many people lost their jobs, their livelihoods, and even their lives. We remember and honor these people. While people may disagree about prevention and treatment methods, we all must agree that when life gets back to normal, it will not be the same normal as before. For the first time, people have focused on cleanliness at home and in public. Working from home has become the norm, and with a greater expectation of continuing. Loneliness and depression have escalated. People will love and appreciate their friends and family more after being isolated from them for such a long period of time.
For me personally, I see an increased change in ways that I didn’t think was possible. I started looking inside myself and my life. Working from home had proven to be a viable option for me when I never thought it could be possible. I have attended several online training sessions for personal and professional growth that was never available in the virtual format before COVID-19. I could spend more time with my wife, Seppe, and with our Vinny as he faced the last months of his life.
Our Vinny
How has COVID-19 changed your life? Are you concerned about the new normal, or do you embrace change? How are you planning to alter your daily life to remain safe? Let me know in the comments below.
A not so typical day turned into a day that I will never forget.
February 12th produced an atypical rainstorm. But through the night, the temperature dropped and turned bitter cold by the morning of the 13th. A school group planned a visit to the Library and I planned to arrive early to work with them. Vinny, our then 12-year-old collie, had an appointment to have his teeth cleaned. It was a full day before it even began.
We dropped off Vinny a little after 8 am and arrived to work at 8:45 am. As I was walking into the building, I slipped on a patch of ice on the sidewalk and landed on my left shoulder. After the initial shock of realizing what happened, my wife checked me out and helped me to stand up. I was in pain, but I thought everything would be okay. I managed to walk inside, check-in with the security office, and went into the restroom before heading to my desk. While heading upstairs with my wife by my side, I had to sit down at one of the tables because the pain began to increase to an unbearable point. After sitting for a few minutes and thinking it was getting better, I attempted to stand up. The pain shot through my body and I never made it up. My wife asked the security officer to call an ambulance. I needed to go to the emergency room for further observations and testing.
Thankfully the ambulance arrived quickly and my trip to the ER was short. The hospital was only about a mile away. Not many people were in the ER, so the doctors and nurses checked me out soon after arriving. After a set of X-rays, they determined that I fractured my left humerus bone, just below the shoulder. When I lost my footing on the ice and since the sidewalk sloped downward, my shoulder and arm took a direct hit instead of my bum.
The doctors decided that the fracture was not severe enough to put on a cast, but a sling would suffice. The doctor advised me to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon within a few days to determine a full recovery plan. The days and weeks ahead would be a challenge. One that I have never forget. In all my life, I had never broken any bones, so this was a first for me. In a series of posts, I will share some of my experiences and how it took almost six months to be back to normal.
Today we celebrate and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and how his legacy is relevant today. We as Americans are so divided and unity is needed now more than ever.
What we need now is love. Love, you say? Yes, we need to show love because so much hate is being driven through social media. Do we bury our heads in the sand like nothing is happening? No, but we cannot filter in the garbage in day in and day out without getting depressed, complacent and overwhelmed. Is all social media bad? No, but we really have to be selective of what we see and hear.
What do you think Martin Luther King would say today? Would he still think there’s a dream?
MLK in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans.
The reflection we see in the mirror is where it starts. What are we doing for ourselves to make that change. No matter how big or small, what are we doing to make a difference?
Right now some people are traveling but many are not, take a look at the 360 view of the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, DC. Give us your thoughts of what you are feeling as you watch.
As a people we don’t run from a challenge we get energize and fight for love in the trenches. I think having a life of meaning we come keep Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream alive in each of us. You may disagree with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech but I say how can you disagree with loving one another no matter what our differences.
As a part of our church my hubby and I are going through 21-days of prayer and fasting and we are on day 8, and it’s amazing how you can see more clearly and a time to reflect and see what really matters.
Did you know that money worries are the most common cause of stress among adults in the United States? If you’re concerned about your financial situation, or you’re eager to try and get out of debt and back into the black, here are some tips to help you take control of your finances.
Analyze your accounts
It’s very easy to lose track of where you are in an age of tapping to pay, one-click ordering and direct debits. If it’s been a while since you checked your balance, or you tend to chuck credit card statements on a pile of papers on your desk, now is the time to analyze your accounts and get an accurate idea of your financial situation. Write down the figures and if you’re in debt, make sure you know how much you owe and who you need to pay. Once you know what the situation looks like, you can take the next step. It can be scary to take the plunge and delve deeper into your accounts, but it’s always best to try and tackle debts head-on, rather than burying your head in the sand.
Dealing with debts and understanding your rights
The vast majority of adults are in debt. The trouble is that some debts are much more dangerous than others. If you have a mortgage, or you’ve taken out a loan and you’re up to date with repayments, there’s no need to panic about being in debt. If you’re borrowing more money, you’re using credit cards, or you’ve taken out a series of high-interest loans, there is a risk of debt spiraling out of control. Understand your rights and know who to trust. You may have come across Debt to Success System scam imitators while looking for advice about dealing with debts, for example. Be aware that there are scams out there, and make sure you choose reputable, dependable, trustworthy organizations and genuine debt management and discharge programs. Seeking expert advice will enable you to explore the different options that are on the table, and it can also provide peace of mind. There is always a way out of debt and there is no shame in asking for help.
Budgeting and spending limits
Many of us spend money without really giving it too much thought. We can click the order button on an app, tap to pay in stores and transfer money from one account to another in an instant. If you tend to spend money on things you don’t need or want, start drawing up a budget and setting your spending limits. Figure out how much disposable income you have once you’ve covered essential costs, set a budget for other outgoings and try and put any cash you have left over aside. If you have a savings pot, you can treat yourself on a rainy day or use your fund to ease stress if you need a cash injection due to losing work or receiving bills out of the blue for car or house repairs, healthcare or veterinary treatment.
For many of us, money worries contribute to sleepless nights. If you’re keen to take control of your finances and ease pressure, hopefully, this guide will prove useful.
Teenage is a difficult stage when hormones change, there is a lot of indulgence in social media, and peer pressure is rampant. Whether your teen is enrolled in a public or private school, they could be struggling. Especially now, with many schools going virtual because of the continual struggle with COVID. If a teen is not proud of their school performance, they may not be forthcoming about it. Below are some of the top warning signs to look out for when your teen is struggling in school.
Photo by fauxels from Pexels
They evade conversations about school It is common for teenagers to give blunt answers when you ask about school. However, when they become defensive, aggressive, or continuously change the topic about the school, this a warning sign that they are struggling. Also, if your child used to talk about school all the time and suddenly stops, there could be a problem.
Poor grades despite studying If your child scores poorly in an exam, most parents will automatically assume that they did not study enough. Be active in their studying habits, monitor, and offer help whenever they need it. This will help you determine if their low grades result from poor studying behaviors or if they have a learning disorder.
Teens with learning disorders display a lack of interest in schoolwork or become easily frustrated and irritated. Some of the learning disorders are dysgraphia and dyslexia. If you notice that your teenager has a problem with their hearing and it is affecting their grades, consider gettinghearing aids.
You receive concerns from their teachers When teachers express their concerns about your teenager, don’t ignore them. This is a sign that your teen is struggling with school. Teachers spend a big part of the day with your teenager than you do. Therefore, take some time off to speak with the teachers to determine the problem and what you can do to solve it. Indiscipline could mean that there is a deeper-rooted problem.
A sudden change of activities and friends Peer influence is common during adolescence. However, when your teenager starts walking with a different set of friends, it could be an escape from their struggles in school. As a parent, you know the activities that have always interested your teen since childhood. When they no longer want to engage in those activities, and it is accompanied by poor grades, there is a problem that requires sorting out.
Eating and sleeping problems Poor eating and sleeping habits are often a result of anxiety. Low scores in school can cause your teenager to miss meal-time with the family or keep them awake due to anxiety. Also, they could be struggling because of a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. If you notice that your teen is staying up late to play video games or chat with friends or is skipping meals, it could be the reason why they are struggling.
Bottom Line Teenagers go through various changes that can cause them to struggle with school. Take note of warning signs toknow why your child is performing poorly. If you receive concerns from their teachers or notice a change of friends and activities, this could be warning signs. Also, look out for learning disorders, sleeping and eating problems, and evasion of topics concerning school from your teenager.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Photo by Christian Chen on Unsplash
Our Vinny
Follow!