Picking up my pen again, so to speak. I will be sharing a series of personal insights and reflections. In this post, I share the activities that have helped me deal with the gloomy days of the pandemic and other worrying matters that can bog us down. Hopefully, you’ll find the tips helpful and applicable.
Right before the pandemic has become a global problem, my husband and I were able to pack our belongings in Manila and reunite with our family in the states. Of course, we did not know the lockdown would occur. I don’t think any ordinary citizen could have foreseen the gravity of the problem. Our departure coincidentally got us out of Manila lockdown in the nick of time.
After the lockdown also took effect in the states and forbade everyone to perform the usual social activities, I dove into a series of self-care routines. I was hoping to make my free time more fruitful, even therapeutic. Hearing the loss of lives and livelihood of many, including our loved ones, can be downright depressing. But I was not the only one who felt the need for self-care. Almost every time I looked at my phone, people would share their coping mechanisms.
As frugal as I am pre-covid, I became even more frugal after the lockdown. I found ways to practice self-care -or as meditators would call it, “self-love,” without spending a fortune. Of course, I would still give in to the occasional temptation of online shopping. However, for the most part, I took advantage of the free stuff I found online. For example, many apps became free during the quarantine, like the Balance meditation app and the Nike Training App. You can bet I took advantage of those generous offers to workout my body and mind.
I also turned to gardening. It was spring season when the lockdown took effect, so the weather was conducive to growing tomatoes, potatoes, and herbs. Subconsciously, I joined the sourdough baking trend. I thought I was too amateur to make sourdough until I cut my loaf in half and found the coveted airy, open crumb. It was a proud moment.
In late summer, a young stray cat got caught in a bush in front of our house. Incessantly crying, my husband, nephews, and I tried to show him the way to safety. As soon as he escaped, he darted into the open side gate and to our backyard. Terrified and shy, he would only peek to catch a glimpse of the humans that tried to rescue him. After months of keeping him outdoors, feeding and petting him, I decided to adopt him and take him inside our home. My nephew gave him a name – Luke Skywalker (we were binge-watching Star Wars). Since then, Luke has become the sweetest, somewhat clingy cat that my family and I have grown to love and cherish.
Perhaps not too surprisingly, I also cooked more frequently. I tested new recipes, held cooking demonstrations, and devoted much of my time to the kitchen. Preparing, cooking, and cleaning can be time-consuming, and I realized there weren’t enough hours in a day for me even to wind down. Because I filled my day with activities, I didn’t have space for apathy, which I know is just lurking around the corner, given what’s happening not just with the pandemic but also with the ongoing racial hostilities in America.
A year has passed, and the world is still in the middle of the pandemic. Progress, although slow, has emerged on the horizon. In the US, vaccines are now available for the vulnerable population. I have released a long sigh of relief after my parents, both over 65 years old, with pre-existing health conditions, have gotten their vaccination. I also felt tremendous relief for my three sisters -two are frontline nurses, and one works in the film industry surrounded by a team who might or might not have the virus. My parents and sisters finally got a vaccination, and I can breathe a little better.
As for my husband and me, we took everything in stride and did our best to take care of ourselves with regular exercise, healthy eating, and mindful self-talk. We also took the time to discuss our well-being and constantly check on each other for support. We also turned to uplifting YouTube videos and podcasts. I love watching the serene and inspiring videos of Liziqi and listening to the podcasts of Ten Percent Happier, The Exam Room, and the teachings of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo almost every morning. As if that’s not enough, I also use my free library membership to listen to audiobooks like “A Promised Land” and “Time Smart”.
Sharing everything I’ve been up to may seem daunting, but I wanted to share them if you are looking for more self-care tools. To make things more organized, I have come up with a list below as a reference. If you would like to add more, please share away. It’s been a while since I’ve written something on this blog, and I am excited to have it back and running again to continue our conversation.
Physical Fitness App:
Mental Wellness App:
YouTube:
Podcasts:
Audiobook:
- Time Smart by Ashley V. Whillans
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama
How to bake Sourdough bread: