Every Day is an Adventure

In the midst of all of the craziness surrounding the Coronavirus and the added stress the media has put on households, it’s the perfect time to create beautiful memories and unlimited adventures at home and outdoors. Nature is pure and filled with opportunities and it’s much better to be outside than in an environment crammed with people and germs. My son is too young to know what’s going on in the world around him and I find comfort in knowing he’s happy, calm, and healthy. He finds such joy in little moments and I wish everyone could be as happy as my fifteen-month-old in a time filled with such negativity and panic, but we can learn from children. It’s the perfect time to relax with your family, enjoy a good book, and organize your house. Fall in love with new ideas and projects and dedicate this time to a zen, positive way of thinking. My new blog series Coming Home is here to inspire you during this unfortunate time.

Every day is an adventure and filled with opportunities to learn, create, and laugh. If you’re on a mission to get in shape and remain as healthy as possible during this duration, do yoga, go for long walks or a run, and meditate. Find a few minutes here and there, quiet your mind, and center yourself. In a time like this, mental health is just as important as physical health. Writing and reading are also great ways to quiet the noise around you and to calm your nerves. The past week has been difficult and people are overwhelmed with emotions, stockpiling food, toiletries, and random items. Retailers are experiencing numerous concerns as people begin to panic buy and crowd the aisles. Events are cancelled and schools are closing. New York City entered into a state of emergency, and yet some don’t feel the need to change their routine at all. It’s a scary, uncertain time in a world accustomed to immediate gratification and unlimited options. As a mom and wife my top priority is keeping my family happy and healthy. I’ve always suffered from high functioning anxiety and moments like these test me. I remind myself that I’m in control of my own emotions and there are so many ways to avoid being sucked into the negative, downward spiral.

When the world turns to the chaos you need to be strong enough and content enough to make an adventure out of an ordinary day at home. I’ve been a proud and happy stay at home mom for awhile now, but my pet sitting and dog walking business has been put on pause, eliminating my need to leave the house if I don’t want to. My clients are working from home for the time being, cancelling trips and travel, and are feeling the weight of the current situation. As of Friday, everything changed. Plans changed overnight and despite the panic I’ve remained as calm as possible. I feel as though New Jersey will enter into a state of emergency shortly, closing nonessential stores and businesses. My husband is still working and his company is doing what they need to do in order to keep employees and customers safe and healthy. Who knows when and how things will change over the next week. The only thing we can do is stand tall and strong, pushing forward despite doubt and fear.

If you’re a mama to a toddler or a baby, reading stories aloud is a great escape, hearing beautiful words come to life. It’s therapeutic and a learning tool for young kids. Greyson is fifteen months old and is incredibly smart, funny, and independent, but he’s still too young to enjoy certain games and experiences. I love letting him explore and play in his nursery while I watch him, and sometimes I’ll even read while sitting there with him, which gifts me with a moment of relaxation. Andrew bought Greyson a ball pit a few weeks ago and it’s stimulating and fun for our boy. Order some new toys and books online, and have them shipped to you if you don’t feel comfortable shopping at the moment. Kids love discovering something new and engaging. If your children are older and at home with you, get them involved in cleaning and organizing. Cleaning has always been therapeutic for me and I know that although it can be a pain, it’s also a good way to keep busy. Make it fun and enjoyable for your children and they’ll be happy to help.

Do yourself and your family a favor during this trying period and stay off of social media as much as possible. Social media can instantly put you in a bad mood and cause you to worry. The media has created a monster and it’s only going to get worse over the next few weeks. It’s crazy, how one post on Facebook can lead to thousands of people running to the grocery store, leaving the shelves sad and empty. Escape from the madness by walking beneath the trees, listening to the sounds of nature, and tending to your yard. Fill your bird feeder, clean out your garage or shed, and plant a tree. If you need to drive in order to be close to nature drive to a trail, the beach, or a pretty field. I walk Greyson every day, as long as it isn’t raining and we’re fortunate enough to have a farm and a field that he can enjoy. Every weekend Andrew and I work on projects at the farm and it reminds us of what’s truly important. I want Greyson to soak up nature and the beauty around him as much as possible and we compose our own adventures.

Mamas, I know this isn’t what we wanted as the warm weather arrives and I know we didn’t think the world would be dealing with a pandemic as spring approaches, but we’ve got this. We won’t allow the world to stop us from taking care of our little ones or having fun at home with them. It doesn’t take much for a good day, just a good attitude. This too shall pass.

I’m sending healthy and happy vibes to everyone and wishing for better days ahead.

🤍

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