One Year Later: 3 Ways I am Keeping my Sanity During a Global Pandemic

I seriously can’t believe my last published post was in August. Actually, yes I can cause I mean, this past year in the pandemic has been a bit hectic. Amiright?! What I really can’t believe is that we have surpassed ONE entire year in a lockdown! So many people have lost loved ones, know people who have, or are just struggling mentally, physically, or financially. I’ve chatted with so many moms who have been overwhelmed with virtual schooling, or just juggling parenting in a pandemic. And if you fit into any of these categories, know you are not alone and I send prayers and virtual hugs your way.

One year ago. during the first weekend in March, I met up with some Disney blogger friends in Las Vegas. Never in a million years did I think that things would spiral out of control as quickly as they did. But here we are, one year later.

So much has happened in the last 12 months. Here are a few highlights:

These are not necessarily in any particular order.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a ton, but I’ll have to just write about it later. What I witnessed in the past year is that while a lot of people were hurting, I also saw a lot of people who were thriving and continue to during this time. It’s not to take anything away from all of the pain and mental anguish so many have gone through. But it reminds me to pay attention to the things I focus on.

One year later, here are 3 Ways I am keeping my sanity during a Global Pandemic:

Pray + Listen

Ok, so I am still working hard on the listening part. 🤪 Prayer has always been a part of my life. But the older I get, naturally the more connected I strive to become. I have always been a believer but I have had to take my faith to the next level. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to pray. Sometimes the answers are right in front of us but we are too busy to sit still and take the time to listen.

Prayer has kept me grounded. Sometimes it’s about just staying still. Sometimes God doesn’t want us to take action, sometimes he just wants us to simply believe; to stand in faith. I’ve learned to stop stressing over the things I cannot control (like a global pandemic).

It reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Donnie McClurkin:

Tell me, what do you give when you’ve given your all
And it seems like you can’t make it through?
Well, you just stand when there’s nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the lord see you through
Yes, after you’ve done all you can
You just stand
Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past?
Tell me, how do you deal with the shame?
And how can you smile while your heart has been broken
And filled with pain, filled with pain?
Tell me what do you give when you’ve given your all?
Seems like you can’t make it through
Child, you just stand when there’s nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you’ve done all you can
You just stand

Self-care elevated

I have been talking about making self-care a non-negotiable since I started this blog in 2012. Like a lot of people, eating right and staying active wasn’t at the top of my list when the pandemic first hit. I realized just how much of an emotional eater I am. So I needed to do something about it.

My hubby set up a gym in our garage (for Father’s Day, my sister helped the kids make his “Phil’s Gym” sign). Let me just say, I’ve never been a fan of traditional workouts. Give me Zumba, Taekwondo or just good ol’ dancing and I’m good. But I had to get over that quick!

One of my favorite motivational speakers is Dr. Eric Thomas (AKA The Hip Hop Preacher). I remember the first time I heard him explain that “not being a morning person” was just an excuse. And that you become a morning person when the goals you’re pushing to achieve are greater than the sleep you want to get (*ouch). Being a morning person is something you have to work towards. And that is what I’ve been able to do over the last year. Most times, I am up before my alarm goes off. I feel so accomplished when I can get things checked off of my list before the kids wake up and the meetings and conference calls begin.

Celebrating the small wins

When my sister and I first wrote our planner, one of my favorite sections was at the end of the month where we write down our top 3 successes. We took it a step further and left space to determine how we would celebrate those things. When the world was set on fire and seemingly seemed to be falling apart, focusing on every single step forward was a win in my book.

If I got up to workout before starting my day, win. If I managed to spend quality time with the kids, win. If hubby and I got to watch a favorite show together, win. If I managed to follow through and launch a new product, win. If I had just one person reach out and share how I have helped them move forward, or face a fear, WIN! Heck, if I just managed to get dressed in real clothes, that’s a win!

This past year has truly made me even more aware of the things that matter. It’s given me the time to focus on what I am most excited to work on. It also has made it crystal clear on the type of people I am most excited to work with.

Sis, in a global pandemic we’ve GOT to learn to celebrate each and every small win!

I’ve learned that my sanity, my health and the well-being of my family are most important to me. Everything else comes after.

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2 Comments

  • Inglês Foco
    May 31, 2021 at 5:03 PM

    I am so glad you posted this, Christine! Thank you for these tips! At the time of the lockdown, this is a great guide.

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