I voted today. Then I went to the gym (I’m very careful and it’s dead when I go, don’t judge) for round one, now I’m checking in with students and hanging out with my kids before going back for round two. After both jaunts I do my now daily circle through Target to the back and around to look at empty toilet paper shelves with ever dwindling hope. (yesterday I visited TEN total stores and trekked literally the entire Amazon. Nothing)
Today, amidst all of which is becoming my new schedule, I realized that I am finding enhanced focus on these tasks. Voting might not be the control we are sometimes fed to believe, but my vote is something I can control. I am killing it in the gym and with my diet and am actually somehow finding great balance between calm, understanding fun and keeping my kids (online and in front of me) as engaged as possible with brain stuffs. It’s impossible for me to comprehend that toilet paper manufacturing is no longer a thing but I will do my best to be where it is when it comes back.
Because, control. There is so much out there we can’t control. We know this even when the world isn’t in flux but man, that feeling sure is intensified now. I can control my exercise and diet. I can flex my teacher muscles as well as my SEL muscles on my kids near and far. I can drive around like an idiot looking for toilet paper.
I can’t control those I know getting the virus. I worry about it getting worse and not being with my kids. Or my girlfriend, or grandparents, or friends, or a majority of my family that’s all the way in Florida. I can’t control that I didn’t plan for this with those considerations in mind. Mostly because I didn’t know it was coming. Out of my control. It’s a sort of, where-you-were-on-the-bridge situation, life-wise, when the crack formed.
I can control letting them know I love them. I can control doing what I can, from my spot on the bridge, while all this is happening. So, I will.
Idealiotic 
We need to do things for ourselves, too! No shame in going to the gym while you still can! Good luck on your tp mission!
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Very much agreed! It’s somehow comforting to hold on what little we can control, especially when there are such big worries lingering nearby.
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Keep it up, brother! All we can do is our best. We do a running challenge once a month at Sipley. Let me know if you want to join. Stay safe!
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I’m on the TP quest, too! We are not desperate yet, but I am worried about the unknown. Trying to plan ahead. Called Jewel & they told me to be there at 6 am tomorrow “with all the crazies”. Okay, crazy at 6 am tomorrow, count me in!
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10 stores!!!
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I love this part: I can control doing what I can, from my spot on the bridge, while all this is happening. So, I will.
There are so many unknowns right now and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by it all. So keep controlling what you can & killing it at the gym. Thanks for sharing!
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Circling like a shark for toilet paper..I love it. If you need some, I promise I’ll spare a square. In the meantime, keep killing it with the things you can control.
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