Pandemic Rules
That's what my writer friends and I have been calling these times.
“I slept until noon today.”
“Pandemic rules.”
“I started drinking at 10:30am.”
“Pandemic rules.”
“I was only able to get an hour of work done and zero writing.”
“Pandemic rules.”
You get the picture. And based on what I've been seeing on social media, I'm willing to bet you've been experiencing something similar. Because, guess what? Nothing is normal right now.
We have the ability to adapt to anything, us humans, and quarantine is no different. But trying to move forward and get a grip on the new normal by refusing to acknowledge the horrific times we are living in is not the way. Things are fucked up, and we need time to process.
A factoid I've seen circulating around the internet is that Shakespeare wrote King Lear when he was under quarantine, implying we have to write a masterpiece during this time or we are wasting an opportunity.
Fuck that.
We are on the brink of massive economic changes, we are surrounded by fear and uncertainty, and we do not have the proper structures in place to provide any sort of confidence in regard to our future.
Plus, ole Will didn't have the 24 hour news cycle and Twitter to add fuel to his anxiety.
Now, all that being said, there is comfort in structure and routine. I've found the days where I feel better, feel more like myself, are the days where I'm hitting the big things on my “daily list.” Yoga, meditation, writing, working, and push ups. Those are the five things that I tell myself I am going to do every day, whether or not I actually do. If I hit at least a little bit of each of those, I've been way more forgiving to myself when I need time to just stare out the window in a panic. Or zone out watching YouTube. I'm not here to shame you for not being able to do anything, only to encourage you to try.
Listen, if your best way of coping with this new world is by penning a masterpiece, that's awesome. I'll be proud and jealous of your accomplishments. But if you're like me and you're struggling to be consistently creative, I'm telling you it's okay. For once, I'm telling myself that, too, and believing it. Just do the best you can and take it one day at a time. Do what you can, when you can. Try to inject a little structure into this void of anxiety.
We will make it through this. If you're struggling, reach out to me. If you aren't, share what your experience has been like. Encourage and support others. Never judge. Never belittle.
Be well. You are loved.
Oh, and if someone asks if you want to play Diplomacy during quarantine, be smarter than I was and say no.