This year has been exceptionally odd so far.
Frankly, between the impeachment and now this COVID-19 pandemic, I’m feeling a bit unsure of how life will go on from here. Add to that, it’s an election year. 2020 will go down as one of the most controversial of my lifetime. The creation of all these current restrictions for safety and the need for isolation has literally changed our world as well. Let’s just say, it has made me reevaluate some things. Maybe for you too?
This pandemic is something unlike anything we have ever encountered before and probably will not have to face to this extent ever again, if we are lucky. I’m sure we’re all feeling a little unsteady as friends, family, communities, work-life and pretty much every facet of life is experiencing this gigantic and unexpected plot twist.
Current events got me thinking about a lot of things especially about the people I’m connected with for whatever reason. Some I know mostly offline, others online and offline, and some it’s only online and we’ve literally never met. I’m thankful for social media connections but these platforms don’t necessarily keep us in touch all the time. It is nice though when we do “talk” from time to time, so thank you for that. If this year teaches us anything, maybe fortifying connections will be one thing we’ll do right?
Let me get to the point of this post and why I decided to send it out on this platform. I’ve been genuinely wondering how everyone is feeling this year. With my own feelings being off-kilter at times, I thought I surely can’t be the only one. Since social media doesn’t always give us an accurate picture of people’s lives, my thought was “let’s talk about what’s going on.” I really think it’s ok to feel whatever we are feeling right now but keeping connected through it is also key.
So how is everything impacting you? Need to rant or cry? Have you found unexpected positives during these times? Do you have a close social network that you can reach out to if things are not going so well for you? Have you been able to keep the stress level down enough to not feel overwhelmed? Have you started something new? Is there anything you need to feel better? Feel free to comment here or if you’d rather have a private conversation, email me at iwriteherblog@gmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you but if not (and that’s ok too, whatever you feel comfortable with), I just wanted to let you know that I care.
I Write Her 
Honestly, I had so many expectations from this year, had planned a couple of holidays which now stand cancelled, had decided to do so many things and now I realise life is filled with surprises that you never anticipated you will ever have to face. One of the things that I have learnt is keeping afloat in this ocean of negativity. I come from a place where I wish to be oddly positive, optimistic against all odds, yet there are people all around me who have been awkwardly cynical. I understand the cynics and critics come from a state of panic but these are times when a little optimism can work wonders, especially when uncertainty looms over us. I guess I have been okay, so far. Thank you for asking 🙂
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Yes, the same here but it seems everything will be postponed now. I’m generally an optimistic person but this year, for many reasons beyond COVID-19, my energy is sapped. Thankfully, I still do have a wonderful support system that gets me through those days where I’m more gloomy than positive. Thanks for sharing, Parikhit!
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I completely understand. I have always been hopelessly optimistic but people, the situation, everything is on a mission to bring me down. So much so that I had a breakdown; I guess that was necessary to vent it out. I am back to being hopeful and I am sure better days await us. 🙂
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You keep safe! 🙂
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It is said men don’t like to share their feelings —
they’d rather talk about their business dealings…
but, as I’m retired,
I feel inspired
to reveal that I find your concern appealing(s).
P.S. Healthwise, I feel OK
and I hope it stays that way.
P.P.S. Take care of yourself, and be good (if you can only do one, I’d go with #1.
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🙂 So glad you felt inspired to also write these lines. Thank you! I hope you stay the same as you are now. PS. Funny you should mention about being good – I’ve always said “Be good and if you can’t be good, be like me!” 😉
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Even going into this Year of the Rat (my Chinese zodiacal year) and expecting something transformative for better or worse (usually worse; 12 years ago was my first MS attack) I never once imagined something like the pandemic. Not knowing how much darker it will get before the dawn is sending me back to the meditation practice I learned 12 years ago. It helps, sometimes, to fix on the present and say “At this particular moment, I’m OK; nothing is hurting me” but of course sometimes the present moment is miserable, and you are definitely being hurt, and you have no choice but to sit with that. I think that’s when I come here, because I also care about how this is affecting other people and know that connections made here can matter as much as any in the tangible world. And I gravitate to blogs of artists and writers like you, who deal with adversity creatively; if I’m lucky, I can catch some of that inspiration.
The biggest challenge I’ve had to face, other than work burnout, is that I’m enduring the lockdown with a spouse who has been for some time more of a dependent than a partner. Up until now we’ve been able to keep more or less on an even keel, largely because we’ve been able to get away from each other’s negative energies on a regular basis. I’m also polyamorous and my other life-mate lives with her adult son and has her own care-giving burdens. Over the last month, she and I have distanced ourselves a bit from our relationship because that intensity was adding its own layer of stress. All I can say is if I wasn’t able to get out and take a walk and *be alone* now and then, I would be in a pretty dangerous place. It *is* occasionally dangerous, which I’ve recognized. I actually appreciate you opening up this space because it helps me get my thoughts in order before I get back in touch with my therapist, whom I haven’t seen since fall when things were finally going well for me. I’ve had life upheavals before, many times, but nothing on this scale, and so many people dealing with the same pressures and traumas. I wish you good health and ease, Susi, as we weather this time together!
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sun. I feel much of the same emotions you are experiencing. I’m sorry to hear that you have additional stressors which make it tough to navigate through. For me, my body has responded by saying “slow down even further!” meaning my sleep patterns have changed drastically and I find the comfort of my bed to be the biggest “comfort”. It is definitely a different normal for me but I think doing the best I can. Thank you for your good wishes, I hope the same for you! ❤ ((hugs))
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Though this is, as you said an unprecedented event, me and my family are coping well, thank God.
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I hope you continue to have your family give you the strength you need, Sadje!
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Thanks a lot
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Good Morning Susi, Might want to check your email addy as it says “sushi” so want to make sure 😉 Sushi does sound good, though. It is so sweet of you to reach out. What I am finding is that because of the option of virtual meetups my world has expanded for the better. And example is that last week I participated in an international poetry critique session. And I am going to be participating in two open mics and another critique session soon. A social media group I belong to has also gone virtual. With the modern options of meeting rooms I am entering worlds I had hoped to enter but always had obstacles. My obstacles have been night driving and a rigid sleep routine, but with these online options I can meet and be done at a reasonable time and no traffic issues. It’s a win, for me. We have turned into a virtual work place in the household and there are three of us, so my bubble has been pushed, but we are managing. Since I have been working from home since 2006, that aspect has not changed. With the pandemic, I at first, got caught up in the news and lost time and focus, but now I feel like my slate has been cleared and it’s back to business as usual. May you have many blessings in 2020 and it surely gives us fodder for interesting writing.
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Hello Lisa!! Glad to hear from you. 🙂 It is sushibocks@gmail.com intentionally! Funny story behind it. 😉
So good that this has affected you minimally. May it continue that way!
Oh, yes, I’m sure that we are definitely inspired to share our thoughts about it in the future. Continue to stay safe, Lisa! 🙂
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