Why I’m Writing

I’m writing because dealing with the coronavirus pandemic has been hard. I don’t know anyone who has gotten sick yet, but the experience has still been difficult. I’m tired of feeling fear, anger, and grief over the current and potential future losses in my life, our nation’s life and in countries across the world. It’s easy to despair, but I want to hope. I want to live well. I want to find meaning and fulfillment amidst this pandemic–and perhaps help others find them, too.

How do I propose to find meaning and fulfillment amidst this fear? I’m not entirely sure, but here are some guidelines I think will help me:

1. Do something new every week.
2. Do something fun every day.
3. Surround myself with inspiring people (Since we can’t leave home, this will be accomplished through books and videos).
4. Follow the instructions (meaning, follow the advice of public officials and the schedule my husband and I have agreed upon).
5. Be kind to my husband–and to everyone.
6. Spend time in nature every day (even if it’s just our backyard).
7. Limit news consumption to under an hour a day.
8. Let love, hope, and faith win over fear.

What good is in my life as it is right now? Furthermore, what if this time sheltering-in-place were the best thing to ever happen to me? These are questions I’d like to explore. I’ve been treating this time like a time I have to endure, a time I “can’t wait to get through,” as if real life will start again once the virus is under control. But I don’t want to spend another day this way. I want this to be my real life, my real enjoyed life, right now. I don’t think I will die in this pandemic, but if I do, I want people to know how happy I was.

I will post here at least once a week. I will also grade myself each day and each week–à la Benjamin Franklin and Gretchen Rubin, the genius behind The Happiness Project (FYI, This project is inspired by Rubin’s “Twelve Commandments.” Go read one of Gretchen Rubin’s excellent books!). I will keep this blog for two months-or longer, if the stay-at-home order lasts longer than two months.

Through this blog, I hope to let friends, family, and even strangers see into my life so they can feel accompanied. I feel afraid, just like everyone. I hope this blog will help me understand and master my fear—and celebrate life! Through writing I hope to enjoy my stay-at-home life and inspire others to enjoy theirs, instead of our just “enduring” this. I hope to become better and stronger and provide inspiration for others to get better and stronger, as well.