As the first quarter of 2020 comes to an end, maybe we could hit the restart button. Wouldn't that be nice?
If you're like me, you may have set goals and dreams at the start of the year. Now is a good time to revisit those lists, update them and hopefully you can check off some things you succeeded in achieving before our world changed with COVID-19.
How about we create an April Fools' goals list? Who could have imagined on New Year's Day where we would be today.
If only it was an April Fools' joke.
Being at home is actually helping with my goals for 2020. Looking at my list, there are things that were important to me that I had not started yet. As much as I don't enjoy being stuck indoors all day, I am thankful to have the time to focus on these indoor activities.
During this difficult time of self-isolation and staying at home as much as possible, I have decided to make another list (because I love lists).
The first part of the list are things that I miss now that I am staying home. Life isn't all hearts and rainbows so acknowledging what we miss can lead to being more conscious of what we love. What could I do or did I do in the past that I miss doing now?
On a side note, have you put rainbows, hearts or bears in your windows?
I have seen multiple movements where people decorate their windows to brighten the days of people walking by. I haven't seen anyone else mention this, but I have also put sports themed decorations in my window. Not everyone loves hearts and rainbows (and I had just taken decals off in our son's room so I took them out of the garbage to put in the window). This is what the windows look like from my perspective.
The heart painting that my daughter made for me when she was younger and the dog photo are normally facing the street. Above the heart painting is a Raptors locker room sign.
I love the chalk drawings that the kids who live next door have drawn on the sidewalk.
During difficult times, it helps to look at what we are grateful for. Although we are missing things, what are we grateful for today?
Looking forward to our world going back to normal, what are we dreaming of doing? What are some of the first things we'll do when it's safe to go out? What are things we took for granted that we will better appreciate in the future?
Answering these questions can help us to remember our past memories and plan to create new memories in the future.
Here are some of the things on my list (besides family and friends that is probably #1 on most people's lists)
1. Things I miss (or will miss):
- Going skiing (we bought skis during Black Friday sales and have only skied in Ontario once)
- High Park cherry blossoms (I imagine the park may still be closed when they bloom)
- Events (so far my Keane concert and Hamilton performance have been cancelled; I was hoping to see TerraLumina at the Toronto Zoo and we have other events scheduled for May)
- watching sports and my favourite teams (I am missing the postponed Olympics already)
- Walking over to the local shop to get fresh fruits and vegetables
2. Things I am grateful for:
- People and activities that flatten the curve
- Technology that allows us to connect with loved ones
- People who are still working providing essential services
- Cookies my brother made and meals my family are preparing for me
- Books I am reading
3. Things I can't wait to do when it is safe to do so:
- go to a restaurant or bar
- hug and kiss
- attend a concert or sporting event
- get the shingles vaccine (or at least being able to go get it)
- travel and to travel vicariously when my friends and family can travel. I can't wait to see their photos and hear their stories!!
One of my goals for 2020 was to journal stories. This is a good time to write stories, look at photos and watch videos about things we have done that we can't do at the moment. Reminiscing about things we miss, reminds us of what we want to do once we can.
What do you miss, are grateful for and can't wait to do?
