My Six Things

It's 10:30 on Friday morning and with wipes and hand sanitizer in hand, I conquered my biggest fear: the grocery store. I also conquered my second biggest fear: the ATM. It is such a relief to be finished with that for a week. The anxiety and anticipation flat out overwhelms me, although I know that I am doing everything I can to protect myself and my family. I am smart about it and careful. So careful. Still, it is scary.This morning I have also participated in a zoom workout with my normal Friday group. That was fun and felt so good! I need to see my friends faces and to move my body.Good and bad and fun and scary every day.It got me thinking about what I am doing to help me stay as calm as I can. I am doing the following six things. Maybe they will help you, too?1. Waking up and starting my day at its normal time. It'd be really easy to keep sleeping, but I find that I am most productive in the morning and I hate it when I waste that time. I am still sleeping in a bit on the weekends as a treat.2. Exercising every single day. Seriously. Most days that is some kind of a long walk outdoors. This is my personal time - I don't listen to music or podcasts. It's just me, my thoughts and nature. And Sully, our puppy. He's a great walking buddy.3. Putting on real clothes. It'd be easy to sit around in my pj's or in my workout clothes, but I feel so much better when I take the time to get dressed and do my hair. I'm not putting on makeup, but my girls are. It makes them feel good and right now that is so important.4. Making something every day. Right now, my making consists of a lot of knitting. It feels good to move my hands and it really calms my mind. I am not sewing much, but I think that is about to change.5. Having a daily quiet time. Every day at 2 or 2:30, I put the puppy in his crate and we both take a nap. I'm not sleeping well at night and this hour each day is saving me.6. Reading light-hearted books. Mysteries, light fiction, romance. Those are the kind of books that are feeling good to me right now.How about you? What things are you doing to keep calm and get through this time? I'd love to hear.