Hi, routines. Time for you to come back. (Lockdown progress report for March 25, 2020)

Total words so far today: 1,090
Manuscript total: 3,242

Apparently, I needed to be reminded that I thrive when I have routines, projects, and to-do-lists to focus on. Oh — and also, that reading the news obsessively during a time like this is a quick route to depression.

I had been feeling really down for the past couple of days. LT complained that I was grumpy and picking on her. (I didn’t think I was, but I also know that people close to us often see things we don’t, so I am making an effort to be more mindful and kind.)

Then last night, I had my “blended learning” class, in which we typically talk about the uses of technology in the classroom. I enjoyed “seeing” everyone and delving into a discussion of how this COVID-19 experience might be a “teachable moment” for the field of education (amongst many other fields, no doubt). Kindly — and with an excellent demonstration of adaptability and flexibility — our professor announced that we would spend the five weeks we have left in the course eschewing the syllabus and instead discussing what we can learn from coronavirus as it relates to the use of technology in (and out) of the classroom. Yay!

Amidst disruption, create normalcy.

Having class again and seeing my peers last night reminded me how important it is to find steady routines within the chaos of this unique moment. After class last night, for the first time in several days, I felt energized and excited. I want to keep that positivity going and keep the darkness at bay.

So for myself, I’m making an effort to do more of the following:

1. Find normal habits I can revive. For example, it is normally my habit to write for about an hour each day, 5:30am – 6:30am, before going to work. I had gotten out of this habit, but I’m going to make an effort to get back into it.
2. Socialize more. Today, I have a date with my friend J. to paint together virtually. I also have class again tonight. I’m an introvert, but I’m an introvert who loves people, and I haven’t been seeing enough of my people lately, so I am really looking forward to class. On top of that, I reached out to my students via Google Classroom and set up an Instagram account just for them in the hopes that I can lift their spirits as well as my own by staying in touch.
3. Stop reading so much g-d news. There are good habits to cultivate and bad habits to start, and while this should be a no-brainer, lying in bed after waking up each morning and scrolling through my news feed for twenty or thirty minutes is an incredibly stupid habit to get into. Wandering over to Facebook isn’t any better. I’m going to limit my news and Facebook consumption from here until this thing is well over.
4. Sunlight daily. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the country, so there’s no reason for me to be staring at the sunny sky from inside my room in my pajamas. I have been pretty good about this anyway, but now I’m making it a rule: As long as it’s not raining, I need to get outside every day.
5. Exercise daily. What goes along with #4 is #5. When I’m at school, I’m on my feet and walking around for six or seven hours per day. Now that I’ve been home, I’ve been sitting at my desk for the same time period. With so much unscheduled time on my hands, there’s no reason not to be exercising every day, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the neighborhood. (Soon, I’ll post some of my workout routines for your exercising interest!)

That’s my five item list to keep myself mentally healthy. What’s yours?