On March 13, 2020, life as “normal” shut down for much of the United States. Schools closed. Entire sports seasons canceled. Employers told their people to work from home for the first time ever. COVID-19 touched every aspect of life.

As we approach the one-year mark of that date, we mourn the tremendous losses. We grieve and remember, but we also press on. We don’t necessarily persevere with big grand plans but with daily practices and special gifts that keep us present and bring us joy.

From gardens to puppies, we all were looking for that lift in 2020. But in 2021, we’re still navigating COVID. We’ve begun recovering from having the wind knocked out of us, but we aren’t quite back on our feet either.

Liminality

We’re in a state of liminality. An in-between. A not-quite-yet. A place we humans don’t love. We don’t quite know when normal will be back. We don’t know what normal may look like in the future. So much uncertainty wears on our spirits.

Should we set a date for the wedding?

Will the kids be back in school this fall?

Can we now visit grandma?

We have more questions than answers.

As a Rhudy team, we recently talked about that weariness, especially here at the end of winter. But we also shared the little things that are helping. Those little life hacks that we don’t take for granted anymore.

Richmond Skyline. Photo by Baxton Baylor

Little lifts

We thought we’d share our tips, because who couldn’t use a little lift today?

Audio books, apps and podcasts – there are so many great options right now. What’s your favorite? A few of our folks are wild about the Calm app with guided meditations and more. One of our favorite podcasts is the celebrity-fueled SmartLess, insightful and hilarious.
Reading – Our own Jon Sealy just published his latest novel, “The Merciful.”
Photography – get out and explore hidden parts of your town.
Retro music — the song remembers when, so it’s fun to be transported back to the disco ‘70s or hard-rocking ‘80s. Try it in your car with the windows down.
Cooking — making something wholesome or sweet has never been more meaningful.
Walks — a popular pick-me-up, a practice many of us adopted last spring.
Candles — the wood-wick variety provides a soothing crackling sound and aesthetic.
Happy light — light therapy has been around for a while as a help for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but has been even more important this winter.
Yoga — yoga has provided physical and mental benefits through these recent months. If you can’t attend a class, find a good online option.
Pushups — if you can’t do a big workout, do something that works for you. Pushups, sit-ups, leg lifts. Make it a part of your morning routine.

Listen and respond

The mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are real and wide-reaching, especially for young people. The statistics are staggering: 4 in 10 adults in the United States reportedly were dealing with anxiety or depression as of July 2020, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The effect on teens appears to be even worse.

We want to acknowledge the very serious mental health issues affecting life now. If you are struggling, get help. Talk to your friends or family. Go see your doctor. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Crisis Text hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. Text “HELLO” to 741741.

Be well, friends. May these tips lighten your day.

Share your little lifts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The Little Things Getting Us through the Pandemic

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