Decluttering Your Mind

I read this post on FabFitFun’s page about Mental Spring Cleaning. I think it’s a great idea to declutter our minds, especially while in isolation during this pandemic.

Now that many of us have been in isolation for a week or more, it’s easier to recognize things in our lives that have been causing too much negative places in our thoughts. Now that we’ve been forced to distance from most people,

I am sure you can tell who has been a source of stress. I know I have. If you can stop contact with that person or at the very least limit your interactions with him or her. Remember when you do interact that you are in control of your reactions when your buttons are pushed.

It is time to step back and examine the things that bring you joy. Eliminate things that do not. Add things to your daily routine that help bring you peace.

For instance I enjoy quiet time in the morning before anyone else wakes up to have my tea, read or write and just be. Just me and the cats. It’s been an essential part of my day now that Ralph isn’t working.

One thing I have noticed that is bad for me is over-following politics. My emotions run too high, so I am trying to step back from all the arguments and the hate that surrounds the current political scene. It’s definitely not easy to do this as it’s in my face everywhere. And I always have this urge to point out the other side of things. And yes, there is always something happening on the other side that is being ignored by whichever side that is complaining.

Those are the big things I am working on as I declutter my mind. Can you think of anything else that would be beneficial to get rid of in the landscape of my brain? Yes, I do have one. The tests I’ve had proved it. I was in doubt myself at times. LOL!

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Life Goes On

Despite everyone being forced into social isolation with the rest of us who have done it by choice or due to our health, life continues to happen.

Earthquakes and tornadoes remind us that nature is a force to be reckoned with. Babies are being born. I pray for my friend whose granddaughter was born with some issues due to her mother’s diabetes. And our pets still need us to love and care for them.

Birthdays are being celebrated in isolation with just immediate family. My mother and father in-law sent me a photo of my birthday gifts and card, which I will pick up when this is all over.

Families are learning to reconnect with each other. This is probably the best thing that has happened during this lockdown… families are forced to stay home together.

For some people… Essential workers. Their lives are business as usual or maybe just a bit crazier than usual if in a grocery store and slower if at a restaurant that now only offers carry out and delivery.

I hope you are finding that people are kinder. I am trying to be kinder. Actually I have been working on this much longer. Kindness during difficult times can make others days a bit brighter. Not everyone is cut out for social isolation like me. Granted I don’t get to interact with others except at a distance as we walk the dogs. Thankfully we can still walk the dogs.

My Meniere’s is still bothering me during this crisis, may be stress related. Yes, I am stressed about this whole situation. So, even medical issues continue on. Wouldn’t it be nice to be healthy during the pandemic? My allergies are in full bloom, but medication is keeping them under control for the most part.

Life continues despite the pandemic. New life, normal life and unfortunately end of life… “Circle of Life!”

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Introverted Extrovert

Isolation isn’t as hard on me as it is on my husband. I am used to staying home most days. I have plenty of introverted activities to keep me busy.

Reading
Writing
Support groups (online)
Weight loss group (online)
Television
Exercise (YouTube)
Book club (also online)
Housework (that is low on my list)

Now that we are all self-isolating there seems to be more things for this introverted extrovert to do.

Zoom writing group
Another reading group
Painting tutorials
Craft tutorials
Concerts

I am loving having so much to choose. In addition to having my husband home, I am in heaven. Granted I have less me time, but I am okay with that. Writing is good. Maybe I might get my NaNo rewritten and ready to submit.

How are you fairing during this time?

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Birthday during Isolation

Wednesday was my birthday. Surprisingly enough it was one of my most enjoyable ones to date. Not that I haven’t loved my others, because I have… it’s just that my hubby went out of his way to make sure it was a special day.

We stayed in bed reading. It was nice not to have to be on a schedule. When we finally emerged, I put on one of my new red blouses (to find I lost inches), how thrilling is that! No matter I think it’s a simple alteration.

We watched The Dark Tower which was surprisingly good. I tried unsuccessfully to read the 1st book, but fell asleep every time on the 1st page. Eventually I gave up. But I loved the movie. I had wanted to see it in the theater, but we never had time or Ralph wasn’t thrilled.

We took the dogs for a stroll in the park. Yes, we practice social distancing. It’s easy when there isn’t many people. Then I called in an order of bundtinis including 4 gluten-free chocolate chip ones for me. The rest are for Ralph. I know there is dairy, but it’s my birthday!

We watched Jupiter Ascending. I didn’t have the heart to tell Ralph I’d seen it before. Still it’s a good movie. I don’t know why it didn’t do well. Though Ralph didn’t like Mila Kunis’ portrayal of Jupiter. I liked her down to earth girl next door type.

I called my dad and talked to him for awhile. He said he isn’t leaving his house. Just him and his cat. His carer comes in and that’s it.

Then we ordered takeout from Famous Dave’s. It was my intention to eat there with the family on Saturday, but since everything is closed… actually I had canceled before since I had started isolating myself before the shutdown. I am in a high risk category and unwilling to get this virus if I can prevent it.

Then we had a Zoom video call with some important people in our life.

Then we watched The Masked Singer. Are you watching? Are you able to guess? We’re not as we don’t know some of the people this season, though Sarah Palin was hilarious!

And that was my birthday in a nutshell. I spent it with the most important person in my life, my husband.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Relax

My best advice in times of stress is to relax. Relaxation is different for each of us. It can change from day to day depending on ones needs.

Generally I like to relax using yoga, meditation and some form of creativity. Other days I like to veg out in front of the television. Sometimes I want to enjoy the near silence of the house.

It is important to find something that you find relaxing. Write, draw, exercise, cook, bake, jog, read or whatever.

There are relaxation techniques you can use. I tense and relax my muscles starting with my toes and work my way to my head. This has been very effective for me over the years.

Breathing deeply in through the nose, hold it and breathe slowly out through the mouth is another.

These two techniques I use on a regular basis. I have tried other relaxation techniques, but they are out there. Let me know what you do to relax.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Stress/Anxiety Relief

It’s difficult not to be stressed out with everything that is going on in the world today. Let’s talk strategy to try to reduce it. I have wrote about this before, here, here, here, here, and here too… Do you see a trend? Life is full of things that cause anxiety. This is just one more.

Disconnect-it may be necessary to turn off the news and social media. Though it’s important to be aware of what’s happening, once a day is more than enough to keep informed. I was breaking my own rule and checking my phone in the middle of the night last week, my sleep suffered.
Try to not engage in discussions that you know will upset you. Again I am guilty of this and even posted a few political posts. I decided to take them down when I felt my anxiety growing.
Try to follow as normal a routine as you can. Or create a new routine if you are newly sequestered at home.
Establish an exercise routine. This might help your immune system too.
Meditate, Prayer or both. These have been helpful to me as I learned to deal with my own isolation due to my health.
Find online support from friends, family, strangers. There is a group for almost anything out there. I have three online book clubs and a writing group that met on Zoom.
Most of all remember to breathe! Breathe deeply in through your mouth and out through your mouth.

There are other techniques that you can use that help anxiety and you might need to employ them. Including calling your doctor for help. Sometimes medication helps tremendously! I have been on anti-anxiety medication very effectively both long term and short term.

What works for you? As you might have guessed keeping busy helps me tremendously.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita

Sorry Las Vegas is Closed

Tuesday evening, Nevada’s Governor shut down all non-essential businesses. Las Vegas came grinding to a halt. Images of hotels and casinos shuttering their windows and doors were surreal. I think this is the first time in history that they didn’t remain open.

Can you imagine this bar at The D empty & dark. The hotels had until Friday to relocate their guests. I’m sure the guests will be ready to return home since there is no gambling, no shows and no dine in restaurants.

Hopefully, by this time next month all this will be a distant memory and things will return to normal. In the meantime, Ralph and I are hunkering down at home, though we do walk the dogs daily. I think exercise and fresh air is essential to keep the panic at bay. We are still on the hunt for toilet paper and food. Well, Ralph is as he is worried about me contracting the virus. I order as much online as I can, but less is arriving than I order.

Ralph and I took a drive down Las Vegas Blvd on Sunday afternoon. I think everyone had the same idea as there was a bunch of traffic and even a few pedestrians. If you want to see what the Strip looks like closed down, I made a Ralph and Rita Show YouTube video. I had the window open to not mar my video, unfortunately there is wind noise. Feel free to turn down the volume.

Love, Peace and Light! Rita