Quarantining The Mess

Well folks, we face a worldwide pandemic that does not seem real but here we are. So, what should we be doing during this time? Spoiler alert: the answer isn't panicking.

We are living in some scary times, I do not discount that, but I do know that we will make it through this. So, to make this isolation time go by more smoothly let me suggest a calmer plan of action.

First and foremost, for those of you still going to work every day to make sure we all have food, supplies, medicine, healthcare, and everything else, no matter what your role: THANK YOU! Thank you for being the unsung heroes, we see you and we are eternally grateful for you. Now the issue at hand, I have been watching social media over the past couple of days and I was shocked to see the different ways people were responding. Some going into full blown panics and making life harder for others. Some, taking a much different approach, are doing things like the garage beer challenge. Some are just trying to get by and, thankfully, some are just trying to be the best parts of humanity. The fact is, we don't have to be saving the world. Though if you can, please do. We just need to do our best with what we are given. And I know each of us can do that in our own way. I strongly believe in the people who read The Mess and the influence you can have on the world around you, even from isolation.

But how do we do that? Well, I have a couple ideas and that is what we will be talking about today. First is creating an environment for you to grow and thrive. I want you to end up like a beautiful healthy terrarium, NOT like the people from Wall-E. Let me explain, a terrarium is a contained ecosystem which feeds and grows itself. That is the kind of environment we are trying to cultivate during this Quarantine 2020. Because the other outcome is being like the people from the movie Wall-E. Isolated and given so much comfort for their troubles that they became, for lack of a better term, low functioning. Comfort is important but balance is essential. So, start by cleaning your space. Make sure your bedroom is a sanctuary, especially those of you isolating with multiple people. You need a safe space to decompress and feel comfortable but in a controlled environment. Clean your shared space too, we are together for the long haul people, don't make your roommates or family units hate you. Everyone deserves to be comfortable, you might have to take turns being the bigger person but never give up taking that role when you can. There is little room for resentment in quarantine.

For those of you that will be working from home, this next part is essential! MAKE. A. SEPARATE. WORK. SPACE. I don't care if you live in a loft, I promise this doable no matter what your situation. Don't work in your bed if you can help it, and if it is your only option than take off your pillows and stuffed animals, get a lap desk or something like it, and make it its own work space. When you are done you can transform it back to your comfy bed, but do not let your mind mix up the two- if you do, I guarantee the quality of both your work and your sleep will plummet. Make a space for work and make a space for decompression. Even if that is simply making the SAME space look or feel different. If you are capable of setting up a home office that is fantastic, please do that. But if not, please do yourself the favor and take the couple extra steps to make sure you are giving yourself the best chance to keep moving forward in this quarantine.

On Wednesday I will talk more about the hobbies side of quarantine but I will mention it here too. We have the time, so explore your hobbies again. Don't just sit on your phone or watching TV endlessly. Do that crafting project you've had saved to your pinterest forever. Pick up a pen and paper and write a short story, draw a picture, or map out your dream DnD campaign that you've never had time for. If you are having a hard time making time than start with making a schedule. If you need something more concrete in this time of uncertainty, then do that. Wake up at 9am, Breakfast at 10am, Reading time at 11am, Lunch at 12:30pm, Nap? Sure 1:30pm, Video Games at 3pm, Crafting at 6pm, Dinner at 7pm. Make your schedule yours and something that will keep you from becoming mentally and physically drained. Remember our goal is a beautifully functioning terrarium, not low functioning Wall-E human.

These next couple weeks aren't going to be easy but we aren't alone. We have amazing technology that allows us to video chat our friends and family and now is the time to use it. Online gaming has proved to be a blessing in this house for sure. We have played with our friends all over the country and just across town while talking on the phone or video chatting and it has brought us closer together in the process. We are going to get through this but we have to keep putting our best foot forward even- if it is just a foot forward in the living room. By the way, don't forget you can go on walks, just remember to practice safe social distancing. We got this. This is messy people and that is what we are all about here. Though, please wash your hands that is not the type of messy I am talking about.

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Thank you so so much for joining us here for The Mess here on My Mess. I know things are scary but lets not let fear win. We know what mess looks like and this is no different, here we make messes beautiful. So, go create your beautiful terrarium and I will see you on the other side. Join us again on Wednesday for some Nerdom and in the mean time, stay messy my friends [metaphorically only please].