Serenity in Quarantine
“By the end of this quarantine are all going to be completely shredded or total alcoholics! “
“Who’s daydrinking with me?”
“Who would have thought there would be a time where weed was easier to get
than toilet paper and hand sanitizer?”
And the list goes on. There are literally thousands of memes and pictures from literally thousands of people circulating to keep spirits up and break up the craziness of the global pandemic known as Covid19.
Or add to it.
This is the latest big thing and it is MASSIVE! Worldwide fear and uncertainty at its absolute finest - all dressed up for the prom.
Let's take a quick look shall we? The beginning of this madness saw people hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer (and yes, ammo!) as though it was the zombie apocalypse and stores were literally sold out - carried away by the people who could afford to hoard it. Meat sections were sold out and just recently i saw a pic of uniformed police officers guarding the toilet paper stash at a department store.
Everyone is either quarantined, coming out of quarantine, or working hoping they don’t get the virus and end up quarantined.
We are all under lockdown.
Entire cities, nations, communities.
The ignorants are getting rattled with public shaming and previously normal parties or gatherings at a park are now broken up by bylaw officers and policemen alike as they have disregarded the social distancing rule. Yes, it is now a rule.
For the record, liquor stores are still operating. It is a funny thought - and a relief to some - that they still have that option.
For those “normies”, a nightcap is one sweet little end to the day where they can kick their feet up, chill in front of their tv or phone screen, sip away and call it a day.
Others can day drink and post it like it's a rarity and socially acceptable.
Well, for an alcoholic like myself, those days are over. Kaput. Fini. So done. Though the little monster sits and waits ever so patiently......you see, I am a bonafide alcoholic.
So how on Earth do we handle the stress?? I am quarantined on Day 6 as I write this and absolutely refuse to let fear and uncertainty and temporary loneliness ever make me fall backwards.
I clawed my way through the depths of Hell that made me think I needed to drink to blackout and will not go back!
Maybe there is a better way than drinking my way through it? But where in the world do we, as alcoholics start? How does someone deal if they are struggling?
First and absolutely foremost, we do NOT pick up that first drink, Not a single solitary sip. Remember what happened? Remember how that felt? Ya, keep that going. Feel the feelings.
*TWEET*
While we work on that, we breathe.
Deeply, in and out, then do it again until you feel your shoulders come down from beside your ears.
Deeply, until the squirrel in your head finally takes a break and kicks off his or her shoes.
Let yourself pause and stop the hand-wringing and pacing and remember you are so worthy of love and peace.
I was a full skeptic before I tried just simply noticing my breath and realized I was actually holding my breath more often than not throughout the day. So focus, my friend, and let yourself take in the magical elixir of a few deep breaths.
While that is happening, start thinking of someone you can help! This is amazing stuff and I cannot make this up!
* Can you walk a dog for a sick friend?
* Can you pick up a couple things on your trip to the store for someone laid up and stuck at home?
* Can you bake a meal or casserole and drop it off?
* Can you call someone who may need a friendly voice?
I cannot express how good a simple kind gesture and good move paying it forward can feel.
Pay it forward and it really DOES pay you back!
Another doozy is to talk to someone about how you are feeling. To anyone who is a positive in your life be it a friend, close relative (alive or not), yourself, God of your understanding, dog or cat or hamster.
I know it can be scary to let yourself be seen as vulnerable. Eeek! Aren't we all supposed to be strong and tough for other people? What will that mean if we show a “weakness”? Well, it actually means you are human!
So talk. A good ol’ vent session where you can share what is going on in your head and heart is amazing for the soul!
How can we do all this? Does it seem overwhelming?
My best and favourite thought I heard from an amazing friend is: Be where your hands are.This is not a race and all you need to do is take each thought and action literally minute by minute if that is all you can handle, just one day at a time.
~Dani
