As we began our isolation and quarantine, it seemed like there was more noise than ever. Social media, traditional news, alerts, dings, and deadlines were demanding attention ceaselessly. Add in the extra noise of the whole family home together, and it really was overwhelming. I had to find a way to calm the constant buzz in my brain.
When I encounter a trigger, I need a skill to counteract the anxiety uptick that the trigger creates. Here are three way I managed my own ebb and flow of negativity.
Noise to Calm
Inevitably, noise begins to distract me. I'm one of those people who has to turn the radio down when I'm driving with concentration. It's just part of the way I'm made. I can't always quiet my space, but I can quiet myself. I can walk outside. I can take a shower. I can let those around me know that I'm seeking quiet.
Clutter to Order
Yes, it's proven that clutter creates stress. When our college girl moved home, she spent the first week purging and ordering her space - it was a huge gift to herself! She is now set up to continue living back home in comfort. The same is true for me. My newly established office space is also the dining room, which tends to gather the discarded items from other spaces. I distributed what was necessary and tossed the rest. Our pantry is extra stocked so we don't have to go out as often, so I spent an afternoon early in the quarantine really organizing in a way that made sense for our family. It's still functioning well. Other surfaces that gather junk are counters and dressers. When I start to feel my tension rising, it pays off to take a few minutes and tidy those places. Invest in yourself by taking action in the places you are able.
Chaos to Routine
Wearing my robe to work has been a long-standing joke between Mr. Wonderful and me. But after about an hour of sitting at my desk, I realized I couldn't even take myself seriously while trying to work in the privacy of my own dining room. I went and changed my clothes - not office attire, but at least not bedroom clothes, either. From then forward I kept my morning routine and established some new markers in the day: lunch time, walking breaks and sitting on the patio swing with my daughter. I was able to take advantage of the privilege of working from home and keep my rhythms in place. I felt the drift toward later nights, and worked hard to maintain a normal bedtime. Whatever works best for you, create some routine rituals to mark the phases of your day.
I think we will always remember 2020 as a year like no other! We have been stretched and required to grow. What skills will you take with you as life shift into yet another phase?
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