COVID-19 has taken the world by storm in so many ways, for some of us the quarantine has meant a special time to reflect upon our place right at this very moment in time. What has the quarantine meant for you?
From having to work from home with the children at toe, to trying to balance your diet when the fridge has been closer to you than ever, finding ourselves at home during these past few weeks have caused a tremendous amount of stress for parents and children alike. Spending time with our children might have seemed like a generous gift from life for some parents who work long hours outside of the home, however embracing the time with our children has also meant that we’ve had to learn how to be a teacher, a parent, and a professional at the same time.
Many women are struggling as they try to find the right balance between helping their children with school work while also paying attention to their jobs. There are also meals to cook throughout the day, and sometimes sleepless nights due to illness and allergies that may affect the family around this time of the year. If we look closely at this season, however, we will find that there is the opportunity to expand in one area or more of our lives.
In a recent conversation with a graduate of my program Create the Live You Want, I was pleased to learn how she has continued to practice the mindfulness routine that I designed especially for her last year. I could sense even through our Zoom screen that she was glowing, as she recounted how her children are enjoying more time outside and she has spent more unstructured time with them. She mentioned that she has continued to make her health a priority and it showed by her enthusiasm as we discussed how to stay optimistic in our outlook for the months ahead.
How about you? What are you doing differently during this season? Are you looking at the quarantine as a threat to your comfort or as the opportunity to bloom into a better version of yourself?
Remember, there are no coincidences in life. We are where we are meant to be. If you are carrying grief, it may be time to let it go, if you have been suffering from anxiety for a long time, it might be time to address the underlying reasons for your discomfort and stress. You can take a step one day at a time, and give meaning to this, the most unexpected of seasons.
Adacelis (Ada) Perez is a strategic interventionist and Certified Life Coach, and founder of the program Create the Life You Want. Her memoir/self-help book: “Anxious Mom: Anxious Child A Mother’s Journey from Anxiety to Serenity” has hit the top 100 chart of Amazon and has been featured in leading Latino podcasts in the United States.