10 Things To Be Grateful for During Quarantine

There’s been a lot of challenges during quarantine. We’re missing our family and friends, we’re sickened by the violent racism in the news and in our own lives, we’re scared of getting sick, and we’re coping with a family member’s illness or tragic death.

The quiet in our own homes can make the thoughts in our heads too loud.

We need strategies to cope with our fears for the future, our worry about our finances, and our irritation at the other humans inhabiting our breathing space!

Practicing gratitude brings us back into the present moment. Our brains shift their focus off impending doom and the way our partner always chews with their mouth open, into appreciating what is going right. One of the unexpected pleasures of being at home and simplifying life is to notice the small pleasures in our lives add up to a rich and full experience.

Take a few moments and write a list of things that are bringing you surprising joy during this time.

I hope the following 10 items inspire you to focus on what you’re grateful for:

1. Playing music while making dinner.

   I'm currently in a disco phase and like to pull off moves that make my daughters recoil in teenage horror. Having music playing while we are eating dinner also encourages my daughters and I to relax and chat about our days. Even if we’re in the same house, we sometimes don’t really have a conversation until dinner, so the music sets the tone for talking.

2. Having a quiet moment with tea in the morning.

   I start the morning with green tea and a journal before I look at anything electronic. The quiet moment of reflection fuels my day with calm. I like the ritual of making the tea, pouring, and taking in the first sip. Every day it feels special.

3. Having time to make dinner.

   Our dinners were sometimes eaten in the car after work and school and on the way to various sports practices. Now we take time to plan our meals - especially so we go to the grocery store less often. The bonus is we’re eating healthy - for the most part. I always throw in chips every time I’m at the grocery store.

   It’s pure pleasure at the end of the evening to watch a show with a bowl of salt and vinegar chips.

4. Working from home.

   I embraced working from home. No commute. A lax dress code - although I do still get dressed for work. I spent time setting up my workspace so it’s pretty and comfortable. I look forward to sitting at my desk with my various notebooks - I have a lot of notebooks. I’m a sucker for office supplies.

5. Technology.

   I am so grateful for apps and programs that keep me connected to family and friends and business colleagues. Plus it’s fun! We just got a Goggle Home and have a blast playing music: “Hey Goggle: Play 80’s Music!

   I am also grateful that it turns out I love running an online business.

   I'm going to continue to build and grow my business online. It suits me and I love being able to connect with so many women from all over the world.

6. Delegating chores to family.

   Since my kids have been at home with very little to do, they have stepped up with cooking, cleaning and even doing some yard work - since I stepped up my expectations of them. I love seeing them create skills they will use when they eventually move out, so I’m going to encourage (insist) they continue.

7. Having time for new hobbies.

   I’ve fully embraced gardening! I’m practically a farmer. I’m growing sweet peas and lettuce and poppies from seed indoors. I seeded my lawn - well I paid my neighbour to. We’re using the yard so much more than we ever have, and I’m going to continue to be outside in nature as much as possible. I even bought a fire pit and we have socially distant bonfires with friends, marshmallows, and are making memories.

8. Embracing routine.

   I keep regular working hours even though I’m rarely leaving the house, and I will continue to do this. I’ve started to schedule weekends off as well.

   Knowing I’ve got a hard stop at 4:00 and the weekends off to relax has made me much more efficient during the day.

9. Trying new forms of exercise.

   As well as being a farmer, I’m now a dancer! I found a dancer on Instagram who teaches free dance parties, and for someone who hadn't danced in years, his classes are a revelation. I love it! I feel the most alive and happy when I put on the music and start to step tap. I channel my inner 80’s aerobics goddess energy and let it fly. If I have a tough decision I’m wrestling with, I wait until after dance class to make it when I’m full of energy and possibility. And then usually the answer is YES!

10. Yoga at night.

    I have to wind the day down somehow, so I do yoga at night with my membership to yogagirl.com. It’s so easy to do these online classes as all I do is grab my mat and roll it out in the living room. So much easier than driving to a class. And I get to pick and choose what I want to stretch and move.

I’m going to continue to make time and space to do all these things, even when life goes back to “normal”.

I’m so grateful they brought me calm when I was anxious, peace when I was worried, and joy when I was down.

What’s on your list? What are you grateful for?