In March, the everyday errands, gatherings, and
entertainment in our lives stopped with a grinding halt. It may have been
welcomed for some of us at first (to an extent) as a reason to spend more time
with our immediate loved ones, draw/paint more, or finally attempt those
overdue house projects on our list. Others have been on the front lines and
battling Coronavirus firsthand. Either way, it has been a stressful journey and
you are not alone.
We are now being told we can patron certain
businesses with very strict mask rules, social distancing, etc., but this
provides angst as we’ve seen other places in the country close and reopen to
only have to close again. Before you go somewhere, you have to familiarize
yourself with their rules and each place is different since we are all learning
this together.
Masks have become the new latest accessory adorned with
gemstones, designs, or logos of our favorite places. While it’s fun to see how
creative people can be, it becomes harder to get out the door, especially when
you are halfway to the store and realize you forgot your mask and need to turn
around. It’s also another thing to see someone refusing to wear it properly, or
at all. The shear uncertainty of the pandemic’s ending makes it a normal thing for
you to feel stressed.
Now that we’ve discussed the what and the why, we need to
establish the “how”, how can we adapt to this new normal?
1. Listen
The rules are there for a
reason. Listen to them and understand that they are there for your safety.
2. Plan
Ahead
Unfortunately, those of us who
thrive on spontaneity must learn to plan ahead. Use a planner to decide your
itinerary for the day. Then call ahead to the places you plan to patron so that
you are aware of the new procedures that they have in place. Also, write them
down so you don’t have to remember what they were from the last time you went.
3. Socially
Distance on a Regular Basis
Before this, we like to think
you would stay away from a person coughing or sneezing in public, especially
someone that appears to have a cold. However, this virus makes it hard to
determine if someone is sick, so we must not be within 6 feet of others even if
we have a mask on, in general.
4. Keep a
Couple of Masks Around
Keep a mask in your car. Make sure to wash it occasionally, but keeping one in your car allows you run to the store quickly and not have to worry about if you grabbed it from the house on the way out.
5. Have
Patience
Again, we are all learning this
together and a little patience makes the whole process smoother for everyone. Remember
that there will be longer wait times and new situations that people will need
to learn to navigate.
6. Talk
to Others
Sharing tips and tricks to
this “new normal” is encouraged! Talk to friends, family, co-workers about what
you’re doing to stay safe. Also, if you’re comfortable with talking to them
about how you’re feeling, they may tell you that they are feeling that way too.
This commonality can help bring you closer in a time of need and make you feel
a little bit more comfortable with life right now.
Stay safe out there everyone!
-Your Girl Fight Family
*This blog is meant to provide tips on adapting to new
routines and procedures and is not a statement that all sickness will be
prevented.
