Thoughts on The Pandemic and Social Distancing

Life has changed so quickly. It feels weird to say it, but we’re living through a pandemic right now. Everything as we know it has been shaken and turned upside down and we’re all just trying to figure out how to keep living through the mess.

While my dream is to make at least a half-time income off my blog and writing fiction books, my current day job is teaching group fitness. Right now my monthly income from writing is $0-50. So when all recreation activities were cancelled by my city last week, I was rendered essentially unemployed.

Over the past week, I have been going through a lot of emotions and coming to a lot of realizations. I’ve been fighting against negativity in my head and trying to put things in perspective.

I even typed up all my frustrations one night, knowing that I didn’t want to share them because all it would do is just add to the negativity and anxiety out there on the internet.

But now that I’m coming to terms with my lack of income and I happen to be in a better mood, I thought I might bring you inside the mind of an unemployed contractor.

I know that even though I can’t work at my day job right now, I’m one of the more lucky ones. I’m healthy, I have a roof over my head, and family ready and able to support me if things get worse. I can go for a walk outside without coming within 6 feet of another person. I can call my friends and family for social interactions. I can work on my blog and writing projects from home. I’m really one of the lucky ones.

That doesn’t mean I’m not incredibly frustrated.

I’m frustrated that my fitness instruction business that I’ve been building (and also the only thing keeping me afloat) has been cancelled, stripping me of my income, and of my upward momentum.

But ultimately, I’m glad that I’m not going in to teach. It’s the right thing to do in order to help with flattening the curve. I’m being part of the solution.

I’m frustrated that while I can’t/don’t go in to work, other people continue to unnecessarily go about their business (besides our brave food retailers, health practitioners, firefighters and police force) because “we’re all going to get sick anyways.”

The best I can do is to continue to do my part in social-distancing and encourage others to do so.

I’m frustrated that I might come to a point where I need to depend on others in order to help cover my bills, which makes me feel like a failed adult.

But I’ve been told and I’ve realized on my own that friends and family are there to support you through the good and bad. People don’t offer to help you in times of trouble if they don’t mean it. They offer to help because they love you and want to see you succeed. And it’s okay to accept help. And you don’t need to feel guilty about it.

There is hope.

I see that so many people are on board with social-distancing. I hear stories about people buying food for their elderly neighbours. There are so many people online trying to spread positivity during uncertain times, customers trying to support small businesses, health practitioners sharing their knowledge with the masses and look after those already affected by the illness, and people just generally trying to do what’s good and right.

We have to remember those people and strive to be like them.

We have to support each other through these uncertain times, and live with compassion and forgiveness.

We have to make the most of our situation, whether that means working from home, finding lessons to learn, or helping others.

We have to be leaders for those who haven’t yet figured out the gravity of this situation. We have to show them that the inconvenience, the change in lifestyle, the sacrifice is worth it.

Thanks for reading. I hope it helps.

If you know someone who needs to read this post, please share it with them! I’ve got some social media buttons up at the top and side of this post just for that!

Stay safe.

Heather

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