I’ve spoken to a lot of people about the coronavirus - folks who are sick and resting at home, healthcare workers on the frontline, and those who have not yet been personally affected but are dealing with the stress and anxiety a global pandemic brings.
I’ve been wanting to write a blog post about how we can spread Kindness in this time. The Smile Project was built as a digital movement. We were entirely online for years. For so many reasons, I know we have the resources and expertise to put out meaningful content in a time where so many are physically distanced and turning to virtual communication.
But I can’t write that post.
I was wondering why it wasn’t coming to me, even with plenty of weeks and hours of toying with the idea. Then I thought back to my friends, those beautiful, inspiring people I mentioned at the beginning.
It’s heartwarming to see stories of connections and kindness, now more than ever, but for so many people I’ve talked to, there are other things top of mind. It can be hard to lead with kindness when you’re out of work or taking care of young children or wondering how you’ll make rent or caring for a sick family member or finding physical distance negatively impacting your mental health.
I don’t have any answers. I’ve sat down to write this post what feels like hundreds of times over the past few weeks. I don’t have any answers, but instead I have a list of things that have helped me:
Reading a book
Calling a friend
Eating a healthy breakfast
Doing YouTube yoga
Videochatting with friends
Going for a solo run
Listening to music
Making a birthday card
Going to bed at a decent hour
Dancing
Wearing my favorite flannel shirt
Drinking lots of water
Getting out of bed
Making pumpkin bread
Drinking herbal tea
Telling someone I love them
Watching a video of a cute dog
Focusing on one task at a time, fully and completely
Taking a shower
Turning off the news
Writing for five minutes, spilling thoughts onto a page
Taking 3 deep breaths
Laughing with a friend
Acknowledging simple wins
You don’t have to do anything today but take care of yourself. These are unprecedented times and there is absolutely no singular right way to approach this.
Stay inside. Stay safe. Stay compassionate. Start with yourself.
Love always,
Liz
