LIFE DURING QUARANTINE

Many writers tend to be introverts by nature, so holing up inside for days isn't too much of a hardship for us. But for weeks on end? Even for me, it's a bit much. The few things I enjoy out in the "real world" like thrift store shopping and going out to eat with my fiancé have become no-gos and I'll admit I miss my old normal. What the new normal will be for all of us is anyone's guess, but here are a few positives for me that have come out of this crisis:

My teenage son, who was supposed to graduate from high school this June has been home for over a month now. I'm sad I won't get to see him accept his diploma in a cap and gown, but he's thrilled to never have to attend school again. Due to all his free time now, I've taught him to play Scrabble and turned him on to some great films he had never seen before, namely the original Friday the 13th (still a classic in my eyes) and Silence of the Lambs. We've also re-watched some favorites from his childhood like all the Toy Story and Shrek movies, which caused us to become all nostalgic and warm and fuzzy.

Even though I'm still going to work, when I come home I have more time to work on my witch potion bottles. One of my favorite thrift store finds are bottles, which I then bring home to decorate with paint, candle wax, insects, charms, beads--really anything that strikes my fancy. Even though I'm not working on my writing, I still feel like I'm creating something. 

I get to spend more time with my animals. We have 3 cats, a dog, and a bunny, and they LOVE us being home all the time. I think it's because they receive more treats, but I'd like to think it's because they crave our companionship and affection. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

What I haven't been doing more of:

Cleaning my house
Working out
Writing
Learning a new hobby or skill

So, if any of those dumb posts on social media are shaming you into feeling like you should be more productive during this whole isolation, please know there are tons of folks like me who are simply taking it all day by day, hour by hour. We're no more productive now than we were before this whole pandemic happened, and a lot of us are experiencing anxiety over the future and just trying to keep it together. AND THAT'S OKAY.

The important things to remember:

Stay safe. 
Be kind to yourself and others. 
And for the love of all things holy, stop hoarding toilet paper because I still cannot find it anywhere and I'm down to 2 rolls only!



Tiffany N. York believes no one should have to wipe with paper towels, everyone should limit their news intake right now, and the fact that there's less pollution, more sea turtles hatching, and pets being adopted is a beautiful thing. Visit her website (which hasn't been updated in a year, so now would be the perfect time to do that, but...meh) at tiffanynyorkauthor.com