In the past week:
I think its been a week…forgive me, time itself has started to blur I’ve eaten two packages of double dark chocolate Milano cookies. To be clear, these are cookies created by gluing one cookie to another cookie with a generous layer of dark chocolate in the middle. They were so good.
You would think now that my work has slowed almost to a halt, and I’m no longer traveling some 20 hours a week on top of seeing full-days worth of patients, I’d be taking down the world. But nope. I’m mostly just eating cookies and not sleeping well.
Can you relate?
To be fair, this paralyzation isn’t because I’m lazy. Admittedly, I can be lazy. But recently, I’ve been trapped in thoughts and worries. Expending energy to overcome something I’m not so familiar with. But I recognize it. It’s that thing I experience when getting on a plane and during turbulence.
Oh, right.
It’s anxiety.
If only this were flight anxiety. At least flight anxiety ends. I can count down the hours, minutes and seconds until landing. But this is a flight with no known eta. One we have all found ourselves hostages on.
No worries, we’re strong and adaptable, us moms. Some of us have gone from full-time-working moms to full-time-working-stay-at-home-homeschool moms. And homeschool moms who were previously teaching their kids are now teaching an entire nation of moms. Homeschool moms, for the love, tell us the trick to educating children, while simultaneously preparing three meals, doing laundry and dishes and staying sane. How do you do that?!
Here is my latest post about (not) doing it all.
The Truth about Anxiety
In the midst of our resilience and the rapid pace of these mandatory changes, I wonder if we’ve set aside acknowledging our own anxiety. Perhaps told it to go away or just gave it the cold shoulder. Maybe that’s why mine prefers to visit me at night. Because here’s a truth about anxiety, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.
Lately, I’ve been inscribing John 14:27, “my peace I leave you, do not let your hearts be troubled.” Even though I know this to be true, I struggle to recognize and feel His peace. However, there is one practical tool I’m using right now to help me to do just that.
Laughter!
This article (written 2 years before our current crisis) says that “research into laughter [reveals] that it’s a potent drug with the contagious power of a virus that conveys a slew of benefits for the mind and body.” It goes on to point out that according to various studies, laughter is an endorphin release, contagiously forms social bonds, fosters brain connectivity and is central to relationships.
It can be challenging to find humor in a world-wide pandemic where many are sick and losing their lives, but if you see a situation where you can thread with a light heart, do. Or should you watch a funny viral video which features someone going to the bathroom during a work-related zoom call that makes you laugh so hard you cry, lean into it. Share it. Stay in the moment for a second.
Mom Fails
Should you decide that you’re going to be the best mom ever and make pancakes with your two-year-old for breakfast only to end up with pancake batter in your hair and syrup in between your legs (seriously and I don’t know how it got there) just walk that sticky walk for a second and laugh.
If you decide to be an ambitious homemaker and make Texas sheet cake from scratch, only to have it turn out tasting horrible, just laugh. Side note: all-purpose flour and self-rising flour are NOT the same. Even though they both say “flour” and look identical. Now I understand why the self-rising flour was left on the shelves but all the all-purpose was obliterated by the corona-hoarders.
Or should you attempt to cut your child’s hair, only for someone else to see a picture of it and assume said child has cut his own hair, you guessed it, laugh.
By the way, these are completely random examples. Also, if anyone wants a sheet cake, just let me know, it’s free!
All this to say
If you’re struggling to put one foot in front of the other right now, that’s OK.
If you feel weighed down by anxiety, you’re not alone.
And should you realize that you have no control in the presence of Milano cookies, well, you’re in good company.
The truth is we’re beginners at navigating a world-wide pandemic. So let’s give grace to ourselves and others. And let’s be intentional to savor laughter where we can. Because laughter may be the very thing that heals us after all.
Here are a few other resources I recommend if you’re battling pandemic-related anxiety:
23 Verses for Fear and Anxiety by Mary B Safrit
“What to do When the World Shuts Down,” Episode 120 of The Next Right Thing Podcast by Emily Freeman.
This Roundup of Positive Coronavirus Updates from Around the World by the Goodnews Network.
Until Next time Cheers!
P.S. You may have noticed I’m no longer blogging weekly. Thats because I’m up to a super fun new Ginger Life project. Details to come!!!