How I’m I holding down
When it first happened, the lockdowns felt like those short-lived school lockdowns at the end of day, when everyone is rushing home to meet the next day. On the day before lockdowns started, I was home. Made several trips visiting friends I hadn’t seen in months and joking about just not knowing when else we could meet.
Four months down the road. The lockdowns still hold. Even those that have been eager to open have taken a hasty retreat. Big shots resigning because of botched response and control plans.
So, four months or thereabouts, 120 days plus.
One wonders if I knew it would take this long without flying home, whether I’d believe myself resilient enough to stake it out for this long. I never saw a day that this would be my reality.
Luke 12:25-26
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Thankfully to God, I find myself at a place of peace. Not anxious because I know God’s got me and I can measure my response to my circumstances.
We never know how capable we are until we find ourselves in situations that challenge our normal.
In my daily routine, I found myself wishing for a long break. Now I have it. Nay, I have had it, and still on it! Sometimes I feel like screaming for resumption of the routine but then I realize I can make the best of my time void. I am focusing on me. This is what I have not done in years. I have hard tight schedules and the little time I have I run home. While at it, I am also seeing that I cannot be focusing on me 100%, I have to spare some time to impact my circle positively. These are trying times. Not everyone is able to hold fast. There’s a meltdown in every sphere and aspect of life.
In the last four months, I have consciously spent my time on:-
Quiet Time (QT)
This coveted quality time with your maker can be hard to come by under normal working circumstances. There’s no more excuse, at least for now. With more time in my hands, I can plan my day and follow through on all my plans. I have experienced growth and quality interaction with God in my relationship.
Nature is healing, the skies are quieter, the roads less busy and the neighborhood caught in stunned silence. I can hear the voice of God!
A place of waiting, a place if stillness.
I feel reenergized living a life off shift. I can accomplish much.
Facial & Hair
I’m glad I have been able to establish routines for my face and hair, which I never did before. The difference is notable.
They say to successfully take care of your face, establish a routine early, well since in youth I had no skin issues, so this never occurred to me until now. I wish I knew what I know now years back. Start early, your skin will thank you later.The results are slowly coming but the progress is encouraging.
All said and done, no product will do to your skin what water should….DRINK UP!
I have also found sufficient time experimenting and testing hair products. Somehow, the natural path is very attractive to me. For a type 4C extra-shrinkage and brittle when dry, shea moisture and coconut oil have been magical. “Matuta” or two plaits organizes my hair for protection.
Still figuring it out.
Reading
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss,
There’s definitely more time for a book or two. It’s not uncommon to find me with three reads at a time depending on my mood! I believe book titles find me as I browse through bookshelves or the internet. God allows me to come across books that teach me something. Still picking it up.
Journaling
I am documenting it. This season has allowed me time,to do this frequently. I love writing it down, making notes for self and also putting my prayers down. Journaling has been my undying habit since I discovered it in my young years. It’s a marker as I can go back to reference myself at a certain period of my life. Answered prayers, life lessons from actions of the past and a whole lot of other treasure trove that guide my life in the present and into the future.
I marvel at the sheer number of prayers that God’s answered, some immediately: still some, after a period of waiting.
Diet and Keeping Fit
Granted, gyms are inaccessible at this time. However, I have made a conscious decision to keep fit and healthy, through what I’m eating daily and a schedule of fitness activities. I have fought the urge to just eat and lounge at home or sleep. I refused that route. To ensure that I do not fail at my commitment, God made away thorough friends. The motivation and accountability from like-minded people who adhere to the set guidelines in this coronavirus times has seen 3 consistent months. The mental change is beyond me.So, the daily 10km run and one weekly long run and stretches is as sure as sunrise.
Studies have shown that you are more likely to accomplish your goal if you have some kind of accountability. And this applies in all areas of life. So, go ahead and get someone who can ask you the hard questions about your set goals in all areas of your life. It doesn’t have to be the same person.
Family…
I have been away from home for this entire period. I had grand plans before the pandemic in terms of family time. But all that was replaced by e-communications. We had virtual birthdays for all my daughters(Missed my Mister’s too). As they did their cakes, I did mine. Equally, as they shared with a few of their friends, so did I on my end. All protocols strictly observed. So, we shared, sang and made our prayers together on online platforms. And the peace of God has been abundant throughout the season. There is no day I have woken up with a heavy heart. In fact, I was more anxious in those days I was able to go home three times a month. There were time constraints and some logistical nightmares that were in themselves enough to exhaust and take away all the rest one has had.
I am blessed.
My children are at peace and we thank God.
Things I love
I have found music that’s soothing in this time, I have found a love for things I would want to do but haven’t made time. I’m binging on worship; a couple of my friends are doing YouTube channels and I’m loving following them in their diversity. I call this a time of Resetting, what we/I thought meant everything, matters no more.
I’m relearning what I learnt in the past.
God has filled me with a calm Spirit that has allowed me to adapt easily. I’m not struggling with change.
The lessons I’m picking in this season, I pray, take me through challenging seasons in my life.
One thing remains constant in these uncertain times, God’s plan is not to destroy me/us.
I hope to remain in him who loved me, even before I knew him. My rock, my refuge.
I hope you too find peace, and let God take charge.