This morning my frustrations were mounting. The workouts I decided on weren’t what I expected. My home gym equipment kept failing or falling over. I wasn’t sweating enough. The scale was up. My morning reading time didn’t settle my mind as it usually does. Another day of staring at a computer screen (aka working from home) was about to begin. Anger, irritation, all of it piling up, no end in sight.
Woe is me.
I had a come to Jesus with myself and told myself to quit griping. Yes, a lot of the pandemic pandemonium sucks but we are making it work. I told myself to make a list of my frustrations then flip them into reasons to be grateful. Some remind me to be grateful for what I have now, others remind me to be grateful for what I used to have and will hopefully return to. Here it is:
It’s in the notebook I’ve set aside to chronicle this crazy time. I’ve read in several places that journaling, while always important, is especially valuable now, for mental health as well as historical reasons. We are living history. I know I will add more pages of frustration as this time wears on. I’ll keep reading it and reminding myself to flip my frustrations into appreciation.
Spring break begins today. What would have been sweet relief and possibly getting out of town is not a shelter-in-place order that will last two weeks. Our one week off of school will be followed by at least three more of learning from home. I will spend time preparing my mind for these challenges this week. I’ll also devote some time to gratitude to friends, family, and those who are serving on the front lines of this crisis. And hopefully get out into the sunshine and nature often with those who are closest to me.
When you start to get stuck or go down the path of anxiety, see if you can flip your thinking. Focus on gratitude and what you can control. What switch can you flip today?
2 Chicks and a blog 