Absolute Absurdity: My Thoughts on Marriage, Motherhood and Friendship During Coronavirus

DISCLAIMER: This post only constitutes an opinion. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or intense emotions of any kind, you should seek the help of a medical professional.

I’m not someone who struggles with owning my mistakes. When trying times have come my way, I’ve always been able to think, “I made a choice, and this is a result of said choice.” Knowing that I played a part in my current situation made it easier to push through because I was able to view the hard time as a lesson.

The truth is, I’ve really struggled while being on stay-at-home orders and social distancing. I’m a social person who loves spending time with people, I’m a mom who loves taking her kids to experience new things, I’m a Christian who enjoys church on Sundays, I’m a wife who loves dating her husband, and I’m an avid Let’s-Go-Walk-Around-Targeter. Being cooped-up ALL.THE.TIME has just about made me lose my mind. I thought it was just the lack of socializing, but I’m realizing it’s something more. On top of all the obvious reasons that have made the last 10 weeks extremely difficult, is the fact that none of the choices that I made lead to the situations I’m facing.

It’s more than, “I did nothing to deserve this.” It’s “In all of the decisions I’ve made about my life, career, family, faith, political views… NONE OF THEM… had a pandemic as one of the outcomes.” It’s not about the consequence… it’s about the absolute absurdity.

I like to fix things. When hard times have previously come my way, there have been actionable steps to improve my circumstances. With Coronavirus, many of my circumstances are beyond my control.

So how am I supposed to be the best wife, mom, employee and friend when so many things are beyond my control?

How can I be the best wife when I can’t date my husband in the traditional way?

How can I be the best mom when I can’t take my kids to the zoo, aquarium or museums?

How can I be the best employee when I can’t interact with people face-to-face?

How can I be the best friend when I can’t see my friends in person?

The answer?

It’s not about being THE BEST. It’s about being better than I was the day prior.

Did you not show your husband much love yesterday? Be intentional about kissing him today.

Did you fail to get the kids out of the house yesterday? Take them for a five-minute walk to look at the moon before bedtime.

Did you struggle to engage with clients yesterday? Send one a special gift basket.

Did you forget to respond to your best friend’s text yesterday? Send them a handwritten note today.

It is OKAY to not be at your best right now. Life is nuts! Just be better than the day prior. AND it’s okay, and expected, to have crappy days sometimes. That’s okay too!

Take care of yourself. Take care of your families.

Laura

P.S. I’ve decided to only be on social media one day a week. I’ve been surprised about how little I’ve missed it. It’s allowed for more time for my husband, kids, and this blog. I feel like that one small thing is already making me better.