It's About Time!

You've said it a million times. "I just don't have enough time!" Not enough time for your family, not enough time to do projects around the house, not enough time to exercise, to eat right, to rest or to pursue your passions.

Well now you do! 

Suddenly, we have all the time in the world! 

We have all been thrust out the the busyness of our every day lives into an altered state of reality. Time has stopped to some degree.

So here we all are in quarantine -- locked down, ordered to stay at home, shelter in place!

It feels daunting!

Add to that the empty shelves at the grocery store. My last trip to Costco was downright dismal. No toilet paper, milk or eggs, no canned goods, no meat or frozen foods. The faces behind the shopping carts said it all -- disappointment, frustration, even despair. Yes! It is scary not to know how you are going to provide the necessities for your family but lets all take a breath.

These shortages have all been created out of fear.

It is fear that sent millions running to the tissue aisle! Hoarding, overstocking, panic that somehow the most essential items would be gone. 

It's time to take a chill pill, folks!

Sure, items are missing from the shelves right now, but there is indeed plenty to go around. Just check into your community Facebook page and you'll see how neighbors are rallying around each other to share what they have. Neighbors in my community are posting who has eggs today, or what time they'll restock the toilet paper at the local grocery store. Folks are volunteering to run errands for each other. 

We're all going to be okay.

So, let's think about what could be the silver lining here. In addition to stopping the spread of a potentially deadly virus  -- we have all been given an incredible gift -- the gift of time!

No need to set the alarm clock. I'm waking up after the sun rises! That alone is just awesomeness! The gym is closed so I can workout when I want. I can eat when I want, work when I want. No meetings to go to, no appointments, no expectations whatsoever!

What a marvelous, wonderful time this is!

This is something I could only dream about during all those 60 to 80 hour work weeks! Now, here it is all wrapped up with a bow!

For those of you riddled with angst about the world coming to an end, or wondering how you're going to get through these very long days with a house full of kids, may I offer a few suggestions? 

First, embrace this precious gift of time!

• GET CREATIVE

This is the time to do all that artsy stuff you've always wanted to do! Do a little writing, sketching, painting, woodworking, cooking, crafting or home decorating! 

Dust off your old camera -- the real one with a long lens and f-stops. Take photos of your kids in fun outfits. Make a Tik-tok video. Go outside and take photos of wild flowers, bugs or clouds.

Look up how to create your own podcast! Pick up that old guitar and take some online lessons. Plunk away on the piano or write a few song lyrics for heavens sake. 

Open up Pinterest and go nuts! There's a page for everything you ever thought about or wished you could do!

Day dream a little and see what ideas pop in your head! There's never been a better time to get artsy!

• MOVE

Find a way to get your body moving! Yoga, CrossFit, kick boxing. It's all online.

For me it's dancing! I love me some Jazzercise On Demand! No, this ain't your momma's 1980's workout! We get funky with hot hip-hop moves, weights, planks and lunges! 

Peloton, Beach Body, indoor or outdoor cycling. There is literally something for everybody. Do whatever you like, but do something every day. You'll feel better all day long!

USA Today listed 7 fitness apps that are all free right now.

• LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The world is your oyster right now. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know is just a click away. All you have to do is type what you want to learn about in your search bar and you're on your way. Get the DuoLingo app and brush up on your Italian! Learn to sew, quilt, crochet or knit. Find out how to change your oil, transplant orchids or plant an organic garden. There is a YouTube for just about everything. If not, make one of your own. Now may be a good time to sign up for online college courses or visit Lynda.com where you'll find thousands of business and techie classes online. Just do it! 

• GO OUTSIDE

This is crucial to your ongoing health and happiness. Spend some time outside every day during the quarantine. You need the Vitamin D!  There are so many ways experience nature and still practice appropriate social distancing!

- Take a walk in your neighborhood

- Have a picnic in the park

- Put up your tent and watch a movie outside on your laptop

- Go on a hike

- Take a bike ride on a new trail

- Go skip stones in a lake or a pond

- Plant an herb garden

- Beautify your front yard

- Take a drive through a ritzy or historic neighborhood 

- Order takeout!
This one is especially important to me having worked with dozens of local restaurateurs. They are really hurting right now. Most restaurants are offering delivery or pick up that limits human contact.

For our date night this week we ordered a fabulous meal from Pinch Boil House in downtown San Antonio. We picked it up at the curb and had a little picnic in our car. Then we took a sunset stroll on a less-inhabited part of the San Antonio River.

Here is a list of San Antonio restaurants currently offering delivery or take out! So many great options to choose from!

• BE PRODUCTIVE

You know all those nagging projects you claim you never had time to do? Now is the time!

My first project at the very beginning of the quarantine was to clean out my pantry! Thank you Darra Dooley for the inspiration. Darra, a former colleague, posted on Facebook how she cleaned out and organized her pantry on a recent snow day.  It looked amazing. So, I gathered up some baskets and got to work. This was especially helpful for me to really get a good look at what food I had in stock, get rid of expired food, and find out where I was lacking. 

Other ideas:
- Spring Cleaning
- Organize your closet, donate anything you haven't worn in a year
- Clean the garage or basement
- Organize the laundry room
- Wash the windows
- Organize the junk drawer

Every time I de-junk or de-clutter I feel so liberated! Need inspiration? Check out Marie Kondo on Netflix or online! There is something so satisfying about making a list and checking things off. Try it! You'll feel amazing at all you accomplish!

• HELP SOMEONE

Whether it's offering to pick up a prescription for you elderly neighbors or dropping off a plate of freshly baked cookies on a friend's doorstop -- there is no better way to feel good than by serving others. Service is the best way I can think of to get you out of get you your doldrums. Look for ways to help those around you. 

I love how some celebrities have been reading books online, singing, giving free concerts. We all have talents to share. Find new ways to share and connect.

• GET SOCIAL

Now, I'm not talking about spending hours on Facebook here. While it may provide you with a superficial sense of connection, reading posts about how bad things are may actually make you feel more anxious. It's time to try something new.

Use online technology to connect with others in a new ways.

Use FaceTime, Facebook Instant Messenger, Google Duo, Google Hangouts, Zoom or whatever you like to  to actually talk to people. Here are some ideas I came up with:

- Hold an online book club (try Zoom or Google Hangouts)

- Set up online play dates

- Hold a virtual girl's night out

- Have a friend show you how to cook something new

- Call an old friend

Almost everyone is home right now so why not call (the actual talking kind of phone call) and catch up! I called one of my oldest and dearest friends last night. We laughed and laughed.

Nothing beats real, human connection. Skip the texts and actually talk with someone you care about.

These are just a few ideas I brainstormed this morning while dancing in my media room. I'm sure you have plenty of other great suggestions. I'd love to hear your ideas.

TherSe