Hi friends.
How are you doing?
No. I mean how are you really doing?
It’s been two years since our lives changed in the most dramatic of ways. Pandemic life has brought some tough moments. I also know that despite these tough times, there have been rays of sunshine and days of full-on sunshine.
Work has been tough and unrelenting. Those at the top think that since you are at home, now you can dedicate endless hours to working. However, they missed the point that although you are at home, so is everyone in your household. Your office is now in your house. And also at your house are kids, pets, mate, and other family members.
And if COVID-19 pandemic life wasn’t enough, you’ve had difficult conversations as politics, social unrest, differing positions on topics became the hot button issue of the day. In some cases, this resulted in friendships ending or being disinvited from family functions as your stance didn’t match with your family members.
Good news?
You got engaged, married, or divorced. Man, relationships were tough during this period. In some cases, it drew people closer together and confirmed this is ‘your person.’ In other cases…well let’s just say you both realized it was best to go your separate ways.
On top of everything else in pandemic life, you had to support your kids in ways you couldn’t have imagined. You always knew your specialty wasn’t teaching your kids the essentials of reading, writing, and arithmetic. You’ve been on the front lines helping your kids to figure out what works best for them learning remotely and maintaining friendships from a distance. You weren’t going to let your kids fail, so you stepped up amidst demanding work expectations, the laundry, dinner, and anything else that landed on your to-do list. The adjustment for your kids was tough but you mothered like a mother, and they are all the better for it.
But are you all the better for it?
The idea of therapy felt ridiculous at first. But you soon realized if you were going to make it through this pandemic life, talking to an impartial person was necessary. I’m proud of you for finding a therapist to talk to and get some perspective as everything was crashing on you.
Is that a smile I see?
The glow on your face and the lightness in your voice tells me that being able to unpack things doesn’t lessen the load but is helping you to carry it better.
Slowly but surely things are getting better. Kids are back to attending school in person. This helps in balancing the needs of work and supporting your kids. They now have their friendships back and feel better connected. You are on the other side of the engagement, marriage, or divorce and you’re starting to feel a little more like yourself. It was an adjustment, but you feel stronger and better having gone through it during this unprecedented time of pandemic life.
Work is still crazy. Your company is still trying to figure itself out – permanently remote, hybrid, or bring everybody back to the office. They keep talking about things ‘getting back to normal.’ But you and your co-workers realize that you are well past anything feeling normal again.
You are now focused on creating the best version of your future.
Next up, that vacation you put off. It’s time to get out and rejoin the world. While you’ve felt uncomfortable going places and being around people, it’s about time to get your beach bag together, pack a couple of suitcases, and jet off to places unknown.
Girl. . .it’s been a great conversation. You are amazing. We’ve all been through these last two years walking our own paths, dealing with our burdens and challenges. But you shouldn’t forget that you are still here – and that is amazing.
I look forward to the next time we can catch up. In the meantime, remember, I’m here for you and happy to listen. Oh, and you are amazing.
Pin this post and be sure to follow
Houston Moms
on Pinterest!
