If you hit a wall while self isolating, does it make a sound...

A few short weeks ago very few of us had heard the following adages: flattening the curve, self isolate, social and physical distancing. Now they have become welcome editions to our daily language.

If we follow the advice behind the words we will get through this phase much quicker. Scientists are saying that the earth is healing with less pollution, emissions etc. We need to keep doing our part to ease the pandemic.

After 2 weeks of physical and social distancing, I hit a wall today. My anxiety spiked.

I realized I am missing my daily supplement of sports live action. All types. Whether I watch, read, scroll or listen to scores, games reports. It was a daily fix for me.  Several times a week I would sports bet on various games. Winning occasionally, losing some. It kept me with proverbial skin in the game. At least twice a week I would go to an establishment for a drink and watch games and do crossword puzzles. The only part I am still doing is crossword puzzles. One sport over the last couple of years taken a serious interest in is curling. No surprise Shelley is the Uber curling fan. I now have favourite curlers who I cheer for like my favourite teams. I was so looking forward to Liverpool’s first premier league title in 30 years. I was looking forward to March Madness, a year where the champion was a smaller school from a lesser known conference. My favourites were Gonzaga, Dayton and San Diego St. It was going to be the year of the Bucks in the NBA and a redemption in NHL with Tampa Bay winning.

It has not been since I broke my ankle in 2015 that I have spent so much time at home. Don’t get me wrong I love our place and I love Shelley and I spending time here. Thank God for NetFlix and shandies (seven up and red wine). Cabin fever has set in.

I also am missing volunteering. Had 3 events cancelled and more in April and May cancelled. My mental health is beginning to wane. My anxiety has spiked and my mood is low. Unfortunately one of my triggers for this is the Orange Menace who can’t seem to or doesn’t want to listen to anyone except his own opinions. Everything he says is a lie, his actions are inactions. It is frustrating depressing and sickening watching him. I try to avoid him. It is an impossible task.

What gives me hope is the kindness of strangers going the extra mile to help others. We can do our part. We have to physically and social distance and flatten the curve. Companies repurposing themselves to help out. Distillers/Breweries making hand sanitizer, Bauer hockey making surgical masks, Canada Goose making hospital scrubs to name a few. Everybody working hard to do their part. #BeKindToOthers

Really...The Dawn Of A New Era

On Friday I drove to work a drive that usually takes 20-30 min took 15-17 min. The streets are so bare it seemed like something out of the Apocalypse. I work in healthcare and deemed essential.

Usually my social calendar would be full and would be lucky to have 1 night off a week where I can stay home. Now I am staying home and not even thinking of going out. Social distancing at its finest.

We have been enjoying Netflix with wine shandies. We went to the local supermarket on Friday as well. Everyone was practicing social distancing. Every second cashier was closed. Customers were creating separation amongst themselves.  Once again the toilet paper, Lysol wipes were sold out and the bread aisle was sold out. I don’t get it, hoarding needs to stop. Stores are opening up earlier to allow the vulnerable and elderly to shop for essentials. Good for them. However, hoarding is still going on with people who can shop later shopping during this time. Shame on you.

We are in unprecedented times everyone show compassion and kindness. Yes there are great examples. A husband and wife went out for dinner at a restaurant in Houston the meal cost $90 they left a $9000 tip for all the staff working there. A landlord in Wisconsin advised his tenants that they only need to pay $100 for rent in April. People offering to run errands for those less fortunate. Be kind at all times.

I emailed my property owner and ask for a $100 discount on rent for next month. I was rebuked swiftly and promptly.  So much for them doing their part.

Right now I am felling healthy physically and mentally. This could change. In order to maintain our health the easiest way is to be kind, be supportive and check in with one another. We will get through this. It will take time. In the meantime everyday go outside at 7pm and applaud all the wonderful people in health care, maintenance, cleaning, truck drivers and emergency personnel organizations

#BeKindToEachOther

I Don’t Get It and Yet I Do

I consider myself a fairly smart man, socially aware and responsible, although sometimes my partner  might disagree. I sincerely don’t get the rush to horde toilet paper. This COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and yes self isolating and social distancing are real aspects of today’s reality.

However, toilet paper being hoarded really. It was comforting to see resale websites such as  Kijiji and Amazon have stop posting people trying to make an obscene profit off toilet paper. In our house we are good for about 2 weeks of regular use. The world might be an entirely different place in 2 weeks.

On Tuesday September 11, 2001 the World changed due to 911. We adapted and adjusted and life continued. On Wednesday March 11, 2020 the World changed again. Sports came to an abrupt end, travel plans were abruptly altered, mass gatherings of over 250 people have been cancelled or postponed. New words quickly entered our vocabulary and society. Self-isolating and social distancing became the buzz words.  Hoarding of supplies became common practice.

This past weekend gone out a couple of time's as my partner says “to run errands”.  Regularly it would be to buy sports betting tickets, well so much for that. This time for other errands, the roads are bare, McDonald’s drive thru I was the only one. Thank you Netflix for helping pass the time.

The work week will come quickly enough and we will see what it brings. Everything is fluid and active now. Remaining positive will be tough yet essential. Maintaining a sense of normalcy whatever that looks like is important. Being aware and responsible is key. I am going to everything I can to stay active, positive, kind and supportive and healthy. Life will carry on. It may get worse before it gets better. Life will carry on.

It Was A Struggle...I Did It

Starting the new year I set a goal for m6self of showering 2 times a week. For the month of a January I accomplished this task, however, it was not easy.  Each time I showered I wrote the date on the calendar it felt good to achieve this goal. Especially since a January was a tough month mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

February came and I thought this would be easy. The third day in I showered felt good empowered and emboldened. Well then reality set in. Over a week went by before another shower. I failed myself, felt crappy, beat myself up. I showered just to prove I could. It was not therapeutic and over after about a few minutes. Shortest time I can recall. I felt even worse. Another few days I tried again got into the tub and couldn't turn on the tap. I froze, I wanted to scream and cry. I felt ashamed.

The next day I was desperate for a shave and shower. I shaved, washed my hair in the kitchen sink and hand washed myself. The next several weeks every few days this was my routine.

It is now March 11, I finally did it. I showered.i prepared myself all day. No fear, no anxiety. The water felt relieving as it flowed over my body.  I stood under the nozzle and soaked it all in. Felt alive and refreshed.

I fully understand that my feeling may be fleeting and short lived.

I have read many articles and talked to many professionals and friends. For people with mental health issues the simple task of showering can be the hardest to do. It is hard to explain, it just is.

Tomorrow hopefully will be a good day.