A Wanderlusting Mama stays at home

So, how does someone like me, filled with wanderlust, survive times like these—when we are forced to stay at home and everything is closed anyway (including parks!). It has only been a couple of weeks but I am surviving so far. A big contributor to my state of sanity was having been able to travel right before the craziness erupted. I may be saying something differently had it not been for that getaway. But I am coming from a 2-week self-imposed quarantine from our travel where we did not even go out to the backyard or walk the dog. Now, before you worry about my dog, this senior #TravelingYorkie hates walking and does get her exercise going up and down the stairs.

Anyway, I used the time from self-quarantine to this current state of going out only for groceries to recharge. I do have to work from home and the kids have online homework so really it is just the weekends when it is unusual for us to be at home. I had been feeling drained from the travel, from work, from the worry. Having this time to recharge and relax is a blessing. There are no appointments, no place we have to go or errands to run. This enabled a much-needed rest.

When I got a bit of energy, we did some spring cleaning (and we are still at it). We were going to do it anyway as it is that time of the year, but now we had been able to focus on cleaning without rushing to finish as we had to be somewhere--without being too tired. Our house is cleaner than ever!

We are blessed to have space in our home where each of us can do their work during the day without being on top of each other. So, when we finally reconnect for meals, there was still something to talk about. In the weekends, we had family game times which DD#2 leads (Kahoot, Jeopardy and such). It gave her more to do during the week as she prepared, and it was fun for the rest of us when we finally play. And while our popcorn consumption has increased, our family movie times have also increased—with no one begging off to do a school project or work overtime. I am relishing this additional family time.

There is definitely more home cooking, but we did have some Uber Eats deliveries and we are also going to do drive through/pick up. This is always a welcome treat for everyone (especially Grandma, the cook). We also had some more involvement from the girls in the kitchen. I managed to get more baking supplies when we finally got our groceries. There will be more baking lessons and the house will smell delish. The kids continue to learn new skills.

While I can hardly wait to be traveling once more, for now, I have time to make those photobooks I’ve been meaning to do! We count our many blessings and take advantage of doing all the things we need to do for the house, spend time with the family and not drain ourselves doing so much. This whole experience has put many things in perspective. I look forward to the future, going to places in a world where folks do not overcrowd, pay more attention to hygiene and sanitation, and have more gratitude for things we are able to enjoy.

Am sure the novelty will wear off. Am sure I will be at my wit's end if this goes on for a long, long time. But for now, I will have to make the most of it. Be safe and healthy!