I think we can all collectively agree that 2020 has sucked and we are only half way through the year. Between the pandemic, protests, and everything else that sucked in between, we are all trying to survive. I live in the suburbs outside of Atlanta, and it’s been quite the shit show here.
THE STATE OF MY WORLD IN 2020:
Health: I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation this year. I’m also dealing with some upper GI issues that I will get diagnosed soon (hopefully). Lately, the heart stuff is nothing compared to the pain my GI system can cause (chest pain, hard to breathe, hurts to move, lasts several days).
Fitness: I was supposed to start marathon training last week…I ran once (see GI issues above). Though I have not prioritized running as if I’m training for a big event, I’ve been active. I run 2-3 times a week. April though May, I focused on barre to strengthen my core. In the last few weeks, I’ve been deepening my yoga practice (not just asana). Since the pandemic, I’ve really made an effort to lift heavy a couple times a week to work on muscle mass.
Mental: With all that is happening in 2020, blogging or posting regularly on social media didn’t seem appropriate at times. After Ahmaud’s murder, I wanted to write a post about some of the racism I experienced but chickened out. After George Floyd’s death, I decided it was time. If you’d like to see the post, see it here. Once I found my voice, I became more vocal in other groups online and on my social media. This has helped me cope with what happened to me and it was liberating. I also attended a solidarity protest last weekend, seeing so many white people supporting BLM was uplifting and gave me hope for our world’s future (so was seeing a majority of people in masks).
My top 3 tips to survive the rest of 2020:
- Self care: Ok, you’ve heard the term thrown around. What does it mean to you? How can you feel better each day? Paint your nails, put on a sheet mask and listen to deep theta music, go upstairs and have your partner feed the kids. It isn’t all or nothing, 5 minutes of self care is better than ZERO.
- Make space in your brain: I spent a week making water color art and avoiding social media before 11am. It was the best I’ve mentally felt in awhile. How can you make space in your brain? Journal, meditate, brain dump, plan the day the night before?
- Movement: Anyone else still scared to go to the gym/studio? I was getting braver but then I read an article about how one dance fitness class managed to spread Covid-19 to 112 people (in this case, contact tracing was done). The good news is there’s countless online programs, youtube videos, books, and apps at your disposal if you want to workout at home. If running is your thing, go run (try to be mindful)! Just move your body!
May we all be well, may we all be safe and may we all find peace during the rest of 2020. What are you doing to get through this tough time?
