The New Un-Normal Normal

Carbs for days.

That is the theme of my life right now.

My quote of the week: "We can afford to lose ten pounds after this, but we CANNOT afford to lose our sanity! So bread it is!

. . . and cakes, and cupcakes, and cookies, and pancakes and donuts and pretzels . . .

My friend sent me this meme:

And this is me.

I feel horrible. I mean, I've supposedly got hours and hours of nothing to do a day and why am I not composing a symphony or writing a book (which I actually have one I'm working on) or at least painting my house or cleaning my windows?

What is wrong with me?

Because I'll be honest here, I wake up at a someone early hour and then I blink twice and my day is done.

What on earth did I do with those 16 hours I was up?

I definitely didn't clean or make anything (other than bread or cookies) useful. I am pretty sure I didn't brush my teeth and I definitely didn't do my hair. Showering was a big question mark and deodorant? Maybe?

Did I read?

Did I watch anything?

I don't know.

I can't remember!

I just know I got out of bed and then I'm getting back into it.

Blink.

Repeat.

That's me. That's my new normal.

And I'm not miserable. At last I don't think I am. Because I think I stopped feeling on day 14 when all the news I read or hear is about how everything is WORSE and HORRIBLE and NOTHING we are doing is making a difference.

That is not encouraging. It made me have to go back into bed (that I may or may not have left an hour before) and take a long nap.

Last night, when the wind was blowing so stinking hard that the whole house was shaking (and yes, I did think . . . is this an earthquake? too tired to worry, go to sleep), and the snow was swirling down, I thought, ok, there is NO normal.

Why am I even looking for it?

There is no end date for this.

There's a lot of bad news that's coming and will continue to come.

So let's just settle in to this new un-normal.

Maybe I won't write a book or learn a language. Maybe my house will fall apart and my closets will remain unorganized. Maybe none of my jeans will fit me after this. I may not do my hair ever and only brush my teeth at night. I may eat more fries than fruit and chips may or may not fall off my shirt. I may wear only stretchy pants and sweatshirts. And I may forget what time it is or what day it is . . . but really, it's ok. Because none of that matters anymore.

So why not celebrate?

Right?

Like, if you've always wanted to watch all the Harry Potters in one day (and night), DO IT!

If you wanted to watch a whole season of Friday Night Lights without stopping, now is your chance (and I highly suggest it . . . best show ever!).

Build forts.

Make delicious meals or order out.

Learn how to cut hair (the YouTube has great tutorials) or just let it grow long . . . no one can see you!

Yeah, things are scary out there, so stay inside. Read til your eyes cross (have actually done this) and read all the things you feel guilty about because it might not make you smarter. I've been doing this and it's delightful! Escape literature actually works! For a few hours, I am no longer in my house, in my sweats, with greasy hair. I am a gorgeous princess or worrier or wizard or whatever . .. and I ROCK! And all the guys are CRAZY about me. It's the best EVER! (If you want some suggestions . . . I've got them).

And when you wake up in the morning, instead of being like, Crap, what bad happened while I slept, be like me. Don't touch your phone but look around you. Make up your own news. "This morning the sun is shinning and even though there is a brisk arctic wind, at least the sky is blue. The children are up before you and actually doing their homeschooling without you asking. Miraculous! Rejoice and also stay in bed. Yes, a day to remember!"

And if you're into exercise (which I am sometimes), this is the time to do it! I say go for a 10 mile run (even if you have to walk 6 of those miles), no one cares. There is no race to train for. It's just you out there in nature (or the city or the country or whatever). So get out and do something . . .

OR don't.

Because THIS new normal is all about what you want to do.

How often does that happen? How often do you get to choose what you want to do each and every day?

Never!

So now is your chance!

We can look back and see how much we stressed and worried and washed our hands (please continue doing that), or we can look back and see how much fun we had.

I hope we look back and see all the things we DID! (Or at least the things we didn't do because that's what we wanted).

And if you ever need some of my made up news, text me, I'll send it. I surprise myself at how good I'm getting at it!

Remember the future is bright, despite all this. We will get through this and EVERYTHING will be better.

Until then, there are carbs. They WORK!

I love you.

Goodnight.