Quarantine & Chill? A How-To On How Not To...
As we all know the world is in a crisis. Some are preparing physically while others, like myself, are looking into our emotions. Looking so far into emotions that we are willing to go back to the things/people that hurt us for the sake of comfort & a familiar touch. Guilty. As. charged.
Once the ‘Rona hit domestic soil, I went straight into my feelings like God please don’t take us yet, I still haven’t gotten married or had kids! I began to think about if I was in fact the toxic one. Was I the one who caused the problems in all my situations? Was I to blame? Did I need to right my wrongs?
I actually slid into the DMs, on platforms that I wasn’t blocked from, reaching out to a particular guy I knew damn well I needed to stay away from. I started to send a few “Hey Bighead” texts as well, shoot I was trying to ride by & mention I was in the neighborhood just to chase a temporary feeling that was clearly removed from my life for a reason.
In times like this, we have to be strong & enjoy the time to ourselves that we are given. We can’t be lured back to what we know because we are afraid or because we are thinking about the what ifs. While the world has been forced to slow down, we should use this time to introspectively look into ourselves for insight & growth. When the hustle & flow starts back up again, we should be coming out of this with a new way, a new mindset, & fresh ideas to incorporate back into our schedules & routines.
To keep ourselves from losing it here are a few tips on how to not when you’re thinking about how to:
Read a damn book!: Getting lost in a fictional world can be a great way to keep our minds off the real world problems we face, even if it is temporary. (I have a book bae waiting on me right now. “Heyyyy Ahmeek”)
Meditate: Reflection, visualization, & focused attention are my favorite ways to realign my thoughts, actions, & awareness. (Google meditation techniques & pick which of the 7 will work for you)
Get in touch & aligned with your spiritual guide: I know that we all believe different things, but whatever & whoever you believe in… TAP IN! Use this time to get connected to a source. Find out what it is that your source is telling you, find out what direction you’re wanting to go when this is all over, or simply just find your why.
Establish a home workout routine: A lot of us are limited to what we can do & where we can go, we have to find unconventional ways to remain active & decrease stagnancy. It can be a walk around the block, dancing to our favorite album or playlist or a simple 15 minute youtube workout. Whatever it is, just move & get your blood flowing!
Finally, do that vision board or strategize it at least: If you haven’t already, write the vision and make it plain. Put on paper what it is that you want to accomplish for the remainder of the year, make a plan for what it is you want the next few months to be. If you already have a vision board executed, prioritize it! Identify the short & long term goals that you’ve outlined, figure out what can be completed while you are sitting at home with this new found free time & get to work. Put into perspective how & what needs to be done to accomplish your goals & then some.
I know that a lot of us are in a place of the unknown. With everything changing around us so quickly, it is important that we stay grounded & keep up some type of consistency, but avoid falling into places of comfort. Rather than wanting the things that make us feel good in this crisis, we need to find a way to retrain our brains to start asking ourselves the hard questions like “what can I do different in this new phase & how can I accept my new normal?”
Things won’t always be this way & I know how hard things can get when we are uncertain, but know that going back to that comfortability, if only for a moment, will set you back waaaaay further than you think. Use this time to get to know you. Use this time to refocus. Connect with those that bring out the best in you always, those that challenge you to be the best version of you, those who make you show all 32 of your teeth when you smile.
I feel that this time is crucial for us. We are being asked to reset, slow down, enjoy our now. It may seem like it’s going to go on forever, but know that regardless of what storm you are facing… ALWAYS BE THE CALM
Let Go & Let Love
-Tee
