It’s Okay

It’s a crazy time right now. Schools are closed, the movie theater is closed, restaurants are only doing take out, and we can’t just go to Target to walk around eating a pretzel whenever we want. That would not be socially responsible at the moment. So, it’s different for all of us.

For those around us with anxiety, a wrench in the routine is hard. What I want the people around me to know: It’s okay to not be okay.

This is an unprecedented time. We don’t have all the answers. That’s okay. We are doing our best. We know we need to up our hand washing and stay out of public areas. As a teacher, I know that people higher up than me are figuring out a way right now so I can continue teaching my students. It’s hard for me to wait to hear the plan, but that’s what I need to do so there is continuity in our lessons and teaching. It will not be the same as being in school, but it will be the best we can do with what we have.

It’s okay for students to be disappointed that their performances, field trips, dances, etc. are postponed or might not happen. For lack of a better word, it sucks. We need to remember we are all experiencing some sort of change in our lives. Try not to focus on the negative, but I understand if it’s hard to find the positive. Give yourself a break. Give everyone around you a break. Allow yourself to not be okay for a bit — but then, figure out a way to move past it. Allow your kids to be upset, but then encourage them to find something positive. Look for one thing a day that you can do that brings you some joy and positivity. My husband has been reconnecting with friends. He has set up times to facetime with friends near and far. I made a funny board game involving tacos and queso (my favorite things) and played it with my kids. We are talking about our stressors, agreeing that this is hard, but then trying to find something around us that brings us some happiness and positivity.

Here are some things that make me happy; maybe they will make you happy too:

• Walking with my kids and/or my dog
• Having a dance off with my family
• My daughter’s dance moves
• My son’s laugh
• Snuggling my dog
• Binge watching old sitcoms
• Watching 90s movies with my daughter
• Being silly with my husband
• Reading a good book
• Talking to my mom
• Chatting with my friends
• Playing games
• Sleeping in
• Eating pie with my husband after the kids go to bed

After you allow yourself time to be sorrowful, I hope you can find something that brings you some enjoyment in these uncertain times.