Hi! Happy Day 8237 of quarantine! How have you been? Really.
I want to start off today’s post with a bit of honesty about things “here lately”. Maybe you can relate. The past two weeks of the whole “stay home” situation has been the toughest yet for me. Running hasn’t sounded like fun at all. Yoga hasn’t sparked my inspiration or motivation in any way. And being really real-the days have just felt like a speedy but super slow blur all at once. 3 PM comes fast and with fury. Wrapping up the days at night has had a general resounding feeling of “what even happened today and how is it already bedtime again? Didn’t we just wake up?” Anyone else feeling this too?
I think it’s just been a big dose of trying to swallow the new-ish normal that seems to be setting in for the lonnnnnnggg haul. It feels like we’re kind of wiping 2020 off the map, which doesn’t even seem possible considering it JUST started, despite the fact we’re already mid-May. We’re halfway through the year and I’m over here thinking…whatttt? Where is the time going? Oh…wait…That’s right. It’s stuck inside, in quarantine, that’s where.
We are somewhat opening back up here in Arkansas as we speak, but admittedly it still feels so strange going out and seeing everyone masked in face coverings and gloves covered in pure fear from head to toe. Does that totally weird anyone else out? I know we’re all doing it for the greater good, but it sure doesn’t make it any less odd and creepy feeling. The dodging of people at the grocery store as I reach for a bundle of produce, keeping 6 feet of distance in between while holding my breath passing people down the aisles is not something I find easy in any way. Where grocery shopping was always more of a hobby to me than a hassle, it’s that no more during times like these. Not to mention the sheer panic when you happen to sneeze when someone walks by is so unsettling. (#allergies) It’s all just really overwhelming…
The positive silver lining here though is that a lot of good has come to light too despite it all. I think this situation has connected people more than anything has ever done before, at least in a few decades. I feel like we’re all able to truly share the same sense of genuine concern globally as everything is just so unknown and completely foreign to have to try and navigate, together and alone. Checking in on people “just because” or shopping small to make a big difference have really been nice to see.
Yet, the emotional roller coaster through each day seems universal. We all seem to be holding on for dear life as we go with the flow and do whatever we can each day to feel “normal” in not-so-normal circumstances. All of this to say, if you may be feeling a bit unsteady at times, upbeat the next and completely frazzled within minutes after a bright moment, know you’re definitely not alone. Here’s hoping better (and less stressful) times are just around the corner for each of us, near and far.
I hope you won’t count me out as a Negative Natalie, but I do obviously want to address the giant elephant in the room we’re all seeing and feeling. Right now is hard and we’re all facing these days each in our own way. So, if working out or swallowing a giant salad doesn’t strike your fancy every day, it’s OK! If crying and writing and sleeping in is more your jam lately, that’s more than OK too! Do what feels right for YOU. I’m finding it’s more than vital to release the pressure of it all and feel all the feelings right now. Especially because this time too will pass before we know it, and we’ll hopefully be able to look back and see lots of lessons learned along this crazy journey we’re on. I just want to make it known it’s certainly not just rainbows and butterflies all the time in my world. But, I do try to find the good in everything when I can, because holding onto bad can feel too heavy to have to carry around all the time, for anyone, no matter what. I’m hoping maybe we can simply remember to deep breath more often than not, and dive into some happy in some way or another each day. I obviously want my blog to be a bright spot but real all at the same time. Hopefully, that shines through…
Ahh…That feels better to release. Thanks for “listening” to me as I vent. Hopefully, some of my rambling made sense, and maybe you can connect with a few of my thoughts here to help you know that what you’re feeling is totally and completely normal, whatever it is that you’re feeling too.
Alright. Ready to jump into some random ramblings lately? Me too!
So, as I mentioned above, running just hasn’t felt good for the past few weeks. For some reason, rest and daily walks have felt more necessary. I think it’s obviously less stressful on my body and that’s what I’m craving more of right now. So, I’ve logged a few running miles here like the ones below (that actually felt good!) but I’m far off from reaching that 8 miles that’s due in the last week of the virtual run challenge next week, and that’s okay. Getting outside has been the best and I’m so thankful for that. Giving myself grace for listening to what I need each and every day.
I did finally pick back up on my book! I’m reading “Maybe You Should Talk To Someone” after a brief reading hiatus. Snacks are a must during reading sessions and these Perfect Bars always do the trick.
We got to head out to the lake for the first time this year with my dad a few weekends ago. It was a perfect lake day, minus the temperature of the water. 😉 We floated around in the sunshine all afternoon long and it was much needed.
Trader Joe’s flowers are always day makers. Seriously, aren’t these gorgeous blooms? I hope they stay around for a few weeks. How did we exist so long here in Little Rock without a TJ’s? It’s my favorite grocery store, hands down. I don’t think we leave without some sort of flowers on every trip.
Speaking of grocery stores, we stopped by Whole Foods the other day for the first time in a while and happened upon my favorite vegan chocolate donuts. So, naturally, they hopped in my bag and came home with me. These are the most indulgent treat and are the perfect match with a warm cup of coffee for breakfast.
I’ve been getting in plenty of quality time with my favorite sparkling water, Strawberry Zevia! It’s such a refreshing sweet treat in the form of water! Ha!
Spaghetti (or whatever you call non-spaghetti noodles with spaghetti sauce and meat) is still going strong over here. It just never gets old and it’s oh-so-easy! And yes, this plate is a big as my head. 😉 It’s impossible not to have a giant plate when it comes to pasta.
The first snowcone of the season went down this week and it made me all kinds of happy. Wedding Cake with cream is my all-time favorite. Which flavor do you like the best?
I can’t stop taking pictures of the blooms in our neighborhood on our walks. They’re everywhere and my favorite part of spring. You should see the number of flower photos I have on my camera roll right now…#crazyflowerlady
We made it out to our favorite spot by the water this week and it was just as heavenly as expected. Lake Maumelle is beautiful and so peaceful, especially before a good thunderstorm.
Strawberries and bananas still make for the best fruity snack combo in my book.
And rice, shrimp and veggie stirfry totally wins from Trader Joe’s.
Snagging consignment running shorts gets me every time. I’ve been finding the cutest running shorts at our local shop, Clothes Mentor for just $10 each! You really can’t ever have enough…Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I add them to my cart. 😉
And these two firmly believe you can’t ever get enough naps in. And I completely agree.
I suppose that’s enough random ramblings for today. If you made it to the bottom of this post you totally deserve a gold star. Thanks again for stopping by today and letting me vent. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your Sunday. Enjoy some goodness out there today and if you ever need an ear to talk to, I’m always here! We’ll get through these unprecedented times together, one day at a time. Promise.
Talk soon!
Questions for YOU:
What’s one thing you’re doing right now to bring you some joy each day?
Is your state opening back up yet? Or are you still on lockdown?
Favorite snow cone flavors: GO!
If you could take a nap every single day, would you? Or are you a non-napper.
I feel this post so hard. It is a strange juxtaposition to have so much closed up and yet others pushing so hard to reopen. We are slowly opening things back up here (Ohio), and it is WEIRD. I also love Wedding Cake snow cones (or, since I grew up in Oklahoma, “shaved ice”) and I crave them sooooo much this time of year! Gardening has been my happy place lately. Even on days when I can’t get motivated, piddling outside in the fresh air makes my soul so happy. Usually one of our pups joins me, which always helps as I know you know! 🙂 Hang in there girl! You’re a rockstar!
I love that gardening is your happy place!! It’s such a peaceful and meditative activity!! 🙂 And I’m so happy to hear my obsession with snow cones/shaved ice is a shared opinion.
Here’s hoping it’s getting a little better in Oklahoma lately! We may just be in this crazy space for a little longer than we all thought. But, sending all the positive vibes your way girlfriend!!
Happy August!!
Here in WI things are finally starting to open up slowly (though I’m reading this post a bit late). My husband and I actually went out to dinner tonight for the first time since March! It went totally fine. The restaurant was impressively prepared and they seemed to have taken MANY precautions, new systems in place, etc.
Things bringing me joy have been daily morning walks with my husband, early morning workouts and I think just not having to race off to drive my kids places in the evenings like I normally do. We greatly miss “normalcy” but have also really enjoyed the slow down in some ways too. It’s been long enough now, though- I think we are ready to pick it up a bit!!
Hi Kae!! I love that you’re in Wisconsin! We traveled there a few years back for Nicks brother who lived in Madison and it was BEAUTIFUL!! I sure hope things are getting a little better there now that we’re a few months into this whole thing. And we’re obsessed with daily walks, too. They’re just the best ever! And, we have very much enjoyed the slow pace of things as well. I’m sure after all of this passes we’ll say that we sure missed the “slowness” of the world in 2020. 🙂
Hope you have a great week and are soaking up that fabulous Wisconsin weather for me!
I’m a new reader. Found your blog when feeling uninspired and blah and I was looking for a running blog to read.
Anyway, I feel just the same. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of June now. I can’t wait for this pandemic to end.
I love your consignment shorts, soooo pretty!
Hi Christina!! I’m so glad you stopped by!! I’m right there with you girlfriend!! Surely soon this will all blow over…but not soon enough! 😉
Have a fabulous week ahead!!