We aren’t alone – However – We are very alone. I know that’s a contradiction – but it really is our reality right now. The entire world is feeling the awful effects of this pandemic.  We are all feeling the same worry, concern, anxiety, and fear. I do feel some solace in knowing that we aren’t alone in how we are feeling – everyone in the world is suffering together. And yet, with a “Stay at Home” order, we are forced to be alone in our homes. We can’t interact with our friends, other family members, or co-workers. We can’t go about our day as we normally would.

The Coronavirus 2020 has literally stopped the world and each of us in our tracks. Our daily routines, our plans, our jobs, our everything has come to a complete and utter halt. What’s crazy is that I’m bored and overwhelmed at the same time. For those of us who suffer from anxiety – the idea of being bored and overwhelmed is NOT a fun feeling. My house seems to be shrinking in size. The walls are literally caving in. We are on top of each other even when we aren’t in the same room.  Talk about forced family time! Phew! I love my family more than anything else – but I’d like to miss them just a little bit now and then. And don’t even get me started on the home-schooling! <insert eye roll and mad face.>

On the bright side, I finally found some toilet paper. Unlike most of the population, I am not hoarding anything or depriving anyone of the necessities. I can’t tell you how many store aisles I’ve checked only to see bare shelves. What I want to know – Where are people putting all of this toilet paper? I guarantee someone has a shed filled with toilet paper they will never use, while the rest of us might end up using our CVS receipt.  *NOTE: For anyone who doesn’t know – CVS receipts are always like a mile long with tons of coupons you will never use. Things almost got a little crazy around my house <insert poop emoji>, but with some extra TP, I think we might be OK for a little while or at least until our supply runs out. I’ve gone to the store a few times and quite panic stricken the entire time. I also carry my limited supply of wet ones everywhere I go.  But I am in denial (or in denial mode as I like to call it) that all of this is really happening to me, to us, to the world. I never expected to ever experience anything like this in my lifetime. I prefer to stay in denial mode, but it quickly comes to halt when I realize I can’t just go to the store or meet a friend for lunch or go about my merry little way. Therefore – denial mode doesn’t last very long. When I am not in my so-called denial mode, the true seriousness of this virus is terrifying and I become VERY VERY VERY anxious. This truly is a Stephen King movie that is directed by Quentin Tarantino.

My husband and I attempted to venture to Lowe’s Hardware store over the weekend (in partial denial mode) and with wet ones. It’s amazing how trying NOT to touch your face, makes you want to touch your face even more. I was SHOCKED and I mean SHOCKED at the crowds at Lowe’s on a Saturday afternoon. You would have never guessed there’s a terrible virus wreaking havoc on the world. I kept my safe distance, constantly wiped my hands, and told my husband “not to touch his face.” I was very disappointed at the lack of concern that others in the store showed. I felt even worse for the employees. Sadly, the news reported yesterday that two workers at Lowe’s have come down with the virus (not at our store – phew). That just proves how people are NOT being careful. One of my co-workers sent me the absolute BEST quote:

“JESUS RODE AN ASS INTO JERUSALEM, KEEP YOURS AT HOME!”

(I should note this was actually posted at a church).

I know I am not the only one who feels this way…

STUCK

BORED

OVERWHELMED 

WORRIED

SCARED

CONCERNED

TRAPPED

ISOLATED

         LYSOL’ED OUT

I have cleaned, and washed my hands, and sprayed Lysol so much – My hands are dry and my new perfume is now called Lysol. So, my friends, I have a challenge for myself and for you…. PRACTICE KINDNESS! Now is the time to do something nice for someone else. I’ve started writing personal messages on my friend’s driveways with chalk to surprise them. I would love to cover the neighborhood with positive sidewalk messages. Try to do one selfless thing every day. Maybe you feed the birds, buy someone else a roll of toilet paper, tell a joke, make a donation to someone in need, or say thank you to the many individuals risking their lives to save ours. Just make someone smile or laugh or feel appreciated and loved! And most importantly – KEEP YOUR ASS AT HOME!  The sooner we aren’t alone, the better.

We aren’t alone in this – However – We are very alone.

#themessyjourney

#coronaviruschallenge