I didn’t realize I was in a rut until outside forces changed my evergreen pandemic life-style. Wake up, work out or walk, or not. Get on zoom calls all day. Take the puppy out for 2 10 minute training walks. Make and eat dinner. Check emails. Go to bed. Repeat. With not much variation, that has been my life since March.
Please know that I am very grateful. I am extremely busy with work, we are all healthy and the puppy is delightful. And, this week things changed. The grand-baby came home and we got to hold him!!!!! Seeing him was one amazing thing, holding him was so much more. I picked him up in my arms and got a rush of oxytocin and instant love. I woke up later that night feeling so happy and got another rush of oxytocin. Joy? Yes!
Two days later our sewer backed up and our outflow pipes were shut down for 2 1/2 days while they roto-routered the roots and sleeved the pipe. No showers, no flushing, etc. Again, my “rut” was disrupted. Joy? No!
So, with Halloween another saga in social distancing, we had to choose joy as we could find it. A puppy and a witch’s hat make for instant party in our house. There is nothing like a big hearty laugh to improve your attitude.
So now, while I continue to socially distance, I’ve realized that I have to change up my environment and my routine in a serious way. We’ve ordered electric bikes and plan to explore our hills and bike paths soon.
Time to change up the format of my work meetings, too. My goal is to break out of the rut without increasing risk. I encourage you to do the same. And, while you are at it, try to experience something that makes you laugh or cry happy tears. Find joy. It is there if you look hard.