And so another week of life in a global pandemic comes to an end. We received news yesterday that our governor is extending stay at home orders until May 8 and news today that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year. I was not surprised to read either announcement. How are you guys doing? What’s going on in your state or country?
If this very informal Instagram poll offers any indication, it seems that most of us are on the stressed side. Sleep has been really tough for me lately. I’ve been waking in the middle of the night and unable to go back to sleep. I’ve tried all the tricks in my book…reading, meditation, visualization, breathing exercises, etc and I just lie there with my mind racing.
Note, I cannot recommend Yoga Nidra enough as a way to help you relax your body and mind. You can find plenty of guided Yoga Nidra meditation options on the Insight Timer app and here is my personal favorite with Rod Stryker. It’s so, so good. Please try it if you’re struggling with stress and anxiety.
My friend Clara shared these words from Tara Brach’s book Radical Acceptance. They brought me comfort and I hope they do the same for you. This book is next in my Audible line up.
I had an okay week. I stayed close to home and only left the house to make my weekly trip to the grocery store, to do a curbside pickup at Verizon (more on that in a minute) and to see Dr. Bradberry. I have a hip issue that I’ve referenced but haven’t explained. It’s a long story for a dedicated post. I’ll tell it soon but in short, until I can have surgery weekly visits to Dr. Bradberry are keeping me as mobile and pain-free as possible.
When stay at home orders went into place I opted to stop my weekly visits because I told myself they weren’t “essential.” After a few weeks without care I realized that in order for me to teach and work the way that I needed to support myself, I had to take care of myself. It blows my mind every time that I see Dr. Bradberry how much relief that I get from our short sessions. He mostly does active release therapy with me and a quick adjustment of my back/hips.
As I shared a few weeks ago, Virginia has been my quarantine buddy and she was a huge help this week with Finn while I taught class. She took him for a walk on Wednesday evening while I taught and said that halfway through the walk she had to stop to clean up after Stella. She asked Finn to hold the leash and then he wouldn’t give it back. He “walked” Stella for the last 30 minutes of the walk. He loves her!
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Here’s a video of the end of my class when Finn, Stella and Virgina got home. <3 This will forever be a moment that makes my eyes fill with tears!
This weekend I am taking a virtual module for my 300-hour yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center. As I mentioned a last week, it’s The Moon Path: The Sacred Teachings of Yoga for Women. I had Finn with me for the first few hours of training this morning…which was interesting…but I have the remainder of the weekend to really focus on learning while he’s with his dad.
But seriously, how cute is downward facing Finn? 🙂
About that Verizon curbside pickup. UGH. My iPhone X bit the dust after two years of service and I updated to the 11 Pro Max. On the one hand, I use my phone so much for work that it’s important for me to have a high-functioning, high-quality and super updated device but man is it hard to justify the cost. The saving graces are that I can write it off as a business expense and that Verizon allows you to spread the payments out with no interest so I didn’t have to pay it all at once, it’s included in my monthly bill.
Now that I have the 11 Pro Max, I wish I would have updated sooner. The camera is incredible. Like, seriously makes me question if I’ll keep using my DSLR camera. I had already transitioned to 90% iPhone photography before and I know it will be even more now. It’s totally wild to me how much smartphone cameras have improved in quality in my 10 years of blogging.
Off to heat up some leftover pasta and make like this on the couch.
Sending big love to all of you.
QUESTIONS
How are you? What’s going on where you live? How’s your sleep?
Are you doing any medical maintenance appointments/physical therapy kind of stuff?
Any weekend “plans?”
It sounds like your week was as good as it can be in this situation! That video of Finn joining you at the end of your class absolutely melts my heart ❤️
I’m in Colorado and we just extended stay-at-home until May 8th as well, as expected. I’ve been working remotely from home without issue since March 16th. (So crazy!) Everyone in my life, family and friends, are all healthy and we all feel so lucky. I am struggling to sleep (waking up at night and can’t get back to sleep often), and so are many people I know. Just the constant stress we are under! No appts here but man do I want a massage and a facial and a haircut ???♀️
We bought a house (!) at the end of March so that has been a HUGE blessing in disguise as we are still unpacking, organizing and doing house projects as new homeowners. Zoom call with friends tonight and then more house stuff and lots of walks outside! Thanks for sharing your life with us during all stages, including this strange one we are all in. Sending good vibes!!
Jen, I have read your blog for years now. I like watching you with Finn. I have an active 8 month old who will be an active toddler before too long. You have great recipes and workouts that have bedn great since gyms are closed. Here in Georgia, our governor has slowly begun opening things up because so many people will lose their businesses if they don’t. People are still taking precautions. We will continue to work from home. We haven’t had trouble sleeping ( we have an 8 month old). The Lord has been teaching me that He has this under His control and that need to choose to be thankful and trust Him. He is the One who gives peace during this time. If you would like, our church, Sherwood Church, streams their services every Sunday on youtube or on the website. I will be praying for you and Finn.
You are so sweet to share! I love you so, so much friend. xxx
Thanks for these posts, especially right now! They are a welcome ray of light and joy. Much love to you!
My sleep has also been kind of a mess the last few days. I switched to a copper IUD a few years ago and I’ve definitely noticed that my sleep tends to follow a pattern throughout my cycle so I’m hoping it’s just that but I’ve definitely struggled with feeling tired and foggy all day, and even tired as I’m getting ready to go to bed, but as soon as I turn everything off and try to sleep, my brain is just thinking about everything under the sun. Hoping we will turn a corner in the next day or so. Michigan just extended stay-at-home until May 15, but has now mandated masks for going to any indoor public space and is encouraging them all the time. I’m not missing going out and doing stuff (grocery shopping – which I actually enjoy, gym, etc) as much I thought I would but I am realizing how much I miss physically socializing. Hoping to be able to get together one-on-one with friends (at a distance) but I think just seeing people in person will be a relief.