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New Normal

My last blog post was in March. And that just goes to show how fast quarantine life has flown by. Back when it began, it felt endless. To be honest, it still does to an extent. I found out today that my time home has been extended yet again. However, this time...I'm okay with it. Quarantine has taught me so much about myself, my family, my job and the important things in life.

I remember sitting at my table, sobbing hearing that Illinois residents would be ordered to stay home for another thirty days.....and then another thirty days....and then here we are another 30 days later. Before COVID changed our lives and before quarantine life became the norm, I was constantly running on empty, overloading my already overflowing plate and wishing life would just slow down for a day. I longed for time at home. I longed for a deep breathe. I longed to disconnect.

Then it happened. And despite always holding myself to high standards, I crumbled. I struggled. Balancing mom life, work life and school life all within the same eight hours per day was making me crazy. Once school ended and I could focus on the mom life and work life aspects of quarantine, I began to adjust and settle in to this new normal.

Hearing today, that I am staying home for a little longer (or a lot, who really knows at this point) was okay with me. You see...now this has become my new normal. I feel like once I get back into the office, I am going to have to go through the transition process back into what my old normal was. I will miss my kids terribly, yet I know I excel in my job by being in the atmosphere! I know I thrive when I can wear my "mom hat" and "work hat" at separate times.

Having been home over the last few months has truly made me thankful. You see...before COVID happened,  I was not in a good place. My emotions were all over the place. I was struggling and starting to wonder if I should seek professional help. My plate was overflowing at all times. I was exhausted. I was stressed and I just wanted life to slow down.

Enter COVID-19. Fast forward to July 1st. Having been home for 3.5 months, I am a new me. Remembering the blessings in my life and what I have to be thankful for, continues to keep me going.

I am thankful that life could slow down (even though I fought the idea when it happened).

I am thankful for the time spent with my kids, even on the days when I wanted to pull my hair out.

I am thankful for my job, which allows me the flexibility to work remotely and always puts family first.

I am thankful for the time spent focusing on the important things in life and rebuilding relationships.

I'm thankful that unnecessary, all consuming drama could die down.

I am thankful for the inner strength and confidence to say no to the things that are not good for your mental health. Not everyone will understand or appreciate you and that's okay. Keep going for those who do.

I am thankful for technology, yet also thankful to disconnect.

I am thankful for the friends who stayed in touch during this crazy time.

I am thankful to have found myself again.

I am thankful for home cooked meals and nights on the deck.

I am thankful for my clean house and dining room office.

I am thankful for the comforts of home, from my favorite pair of slippers (the new work shoe) to fresh brewed coffee, to morning snuggles from my kiddos.

I am thankful for all frontline employees in various industries who stepped up during COVID.

I am thankful for the time to reflect.

I am thankful for a new perspective and appreciation for life.

I could go on and on, but instead, I am going to encourage you to do the same. Take a moment and think about what this time has taught you. Not only am I thankful for quarantine life in general, but also because little did we know going into it, that it would lead us to our next chapter as a family. Our home is officially for sale and shortly after quarantine ends, we will be moving to Missouri.

Change happens when you least expect it, even during a pandemic.

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