Week Three of Quarantine

Dear Friends, 
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Like most of you I am going into week three of quarantine; something I never thought I would say. However, here we are. One day I feel optimistic and productive, other days I feel sluggish and depressed. In just a matter of three weeks I have gone through an emotional roller coaster and a complete lifestyle change, which is quite exhausting.

In my last blog post just two days into quarantine I said, “Remember, whatever you are feeling during this time is valid.” Every day since then, I have had to remind myself of that. It’s so easy to disregard your feelings, and I know I have gone through moments where I questioned the validity of them… Especially knowing other people in this world are going through so much worse.

In just three short weeks my income is nearly obsolete, and I will most likely need to file for unemployment and apply for a small business loan. This has brought up feelings of shame and negative self-talk. Yet, deep down I know that this is temporary, I am not defined by my circumstances and I am strong and resilient enough to respond mindfully to these conditions. I think deep down inside we all know that, no matter what we are going through during this time. Yes, we can feel what we feel and think what we think, but at a certain point we must pick ourselves up and keep on going.

More and more we are seeing the silver lining in all of this. Our world is cleaning itself from the clear canals of Venice to the improved air quality in Los Angeles. We are also working together to flatten the curve and keep each other safe and healthy. In my life the silver lining has been spending quality time with my family, connecting with friends, and still getting to do what I love. My husband and I are currently living with my parents, so we prepare dinner, watch TV, do puzzles, play board games, and are in the process of creating an herb garden. Since my schedule has slowed down, I have had the opportunity to connect with family members and even held virtual Happy Hours with friends. And, the most important thing is that we have a roof over our heads, enough food and water to sustain us, and we are all safe and healthy. 

I still get to do what I love and am currently teaching meditation every weekday morning at 10:00 AM on Instagram live, recording guided meditation and filming online classes for my subscription, and will be teaching live classes on Zoom and Instagram. I am here to support you during this time and will keep you posted on future offerings. In the meantime, I hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe.
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Love, 
Lauren