1. What is helping you feel safe, supported, and grounded these days?
Heading out for a walk with my husband and son after my partner gets home from work. Meal planning. Reading fiction in the tub by candlelight. Chatting on the phone with my mom. Reading and responding thoughtfully to letters I receive from far flung friends. The slow and deliberate process of baking.
2. What do you remember about the moment or day when you realized life was going to change because of the pandemic?
My son and I were visiting a friend and her children that day. She was teaching me the art of Sourdough bread baking. The lesson was timely and we both knew we wouldn't see each other for a long time. It all felt quite sacred and tinged with fear.
3. When did you first begin to feel calm or settled after life changed because of the pandemic?
About two weeks into the lockdown, it dawned on me that I was thriving in my new, SLOW rhythm. My schedule with my toddler had been running at a breakneck pace for a few weeks and I was starting to resent all of the programming and that feeling of being pulled in a hundred directions. It helped a lot that my daily rhythm felt familiar--just a lot mellower.
4. What have you been enjoying about parts of your new reality because of the pandemic?
4. What have you been enjoying about parts of your new reality because of the pandemic?
The quiet, the calm, the inwardness and overall intimacy within my family unit. It is almost as if I am seeing my family and my home with fresh eyes.
5. What has been the most difficult?
Feeling cooped up at times and generally uninspired to create despite the endless stretches of free time. Feeling frustrated by / sorry for my only child who is starved for the company of other children. It has been strange and difficult not to be able to embrace or share space with loved ones.
6. How have you been coping with what's been difficult?
Reading, running and cycling have felt enormously freeing.
7. If you could zoom out and watch yourself move through these past several weeks, what words of compassion would you have for yourself?
Be patient and gentle with yourself and others as you navigate this new normal. This too shall pass.
8. How would it feel to receive those words of compassion?
Softer.
9. What is one hope you have for yourself moving forward?
That this time spent with my child will make me appreciate the privilege I have as a stay at home parent all the more. Not to mention make me appreciate the village of mothers I have in my community!! I miss my village.
5. What has been the most difficult?
Feeling cooped up at times and generally uninspired to create despite the endless stretches of free time. Feeling frustrated by / sorry for my only child who is starved for the company of other children. It has been strange and difficult not to be able to embrace or share space with loved ones.
6. How have you been coping with what's been difficult?
Reading, running and cycling have felt enormously freeing.
7. If you could zoom out and watch yourself move through these past several weeks, what words of compassion would you have for yourself?
Be patient and gentle with yourself and others as you navigate this new normal. This too shall pass.
8. How would it feel to receive those words of compassion?
Softer.
9. What is one hope you have for yourself moving forward?
That this time spent with my child will make me appreciate the privilege I have as a stay at home parent all the more. Not to mention make me appreciate the village of mothers I have in my community!! I miss my village.
