Social Media break – 3 month update

Updates after nearly 3 months away from Facebook and Instagram, social media break.

March 28th, 2020 –

Life-

Where to begin.  We’re two weeks into almost full quarantined time here at our house.  Skylar, the oldest, is home from college. She came home early March for Spring break and classes got switched to online so she’s been here since.  Overall we’re handling things pretty well I think.  Bruce is still working, admittedly I selfishly wish he was home with us too but I’m grateful for the consistency in our income and routine.

We already home schooled with Aspen so that hasn’t changed, I’m grateful that we already had a routine to stick to when things have gone into stay at home mode.  (For those reading this in the years to come, I’m referring to the Covid 19 / Coronavirus pandemic.  We live on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota and currently both states have stay at home orders in effect.)   I’m grateful for our yard and some sunshine this past week. We’ve done some extra hiking and walked through the woods, and almost nightly hot tub time has saved my sanity.

Graham, the puppy turned 5 months old today. I’m starting to see glimmers of hope that he won’t be a chewy, bitey dog. Teething is wearing me down though, I admit.  I’ll make sure to share some pics in my next update of him.

Work –

Work has stayed on track as normal for a March. Slow with customers but I’ve been working on 2 portraits, I’ve also uploaded 3 free drawing tutorials to youtube.  You’ll also start to notice some revamping to my website.  I’m working to make things clearer on each page and have the Sacred Hellos remembrance page much more comprehensive.  There has been a little social peer pressure to rejoin facebook mostly. This has come from businesses that have Facebook groups. As much as I know undoubtedly there is value in the Facebook groups, I’m staying true to my year off and honoring the commitment I made to myself. I know that the peace of mind and clarity I have right now as a result of my FB break is worth more to me for 2020 than the groups and I plan on sticking to that.

Little clues keep popping up that tell me things are changing ever so slightly within me.  For example I completed putting images on 200 or so ornaments yesterday in between drawing sessions.  For the first time ever, all 200+ have the same design. They were all Father’s Love 2020 ornaments.  This seems simple, yes. However in all the thousands of ornaments I’ve created over the years I also do a variety at the same time. I’m not sure why.  Not sure if it’s an artist thing, an subtle ADD type of thing or what.. but this time it was methodical and practical.

Social media:

So let me say that the last three months have been stranger than I’d say almost any time over the last decade in my life.  I’ve talked a bit about my Grandpa’s death and the week and a half of time in the hospital before that, then the Covid 19 pandemic.  Millions of people orders off work, staying home, connecting via social media.

However other than the day I mention last month where I had to grab a photo for my Grandpa’s funeral I’ve kept my profiles dark.  As much as I’m sure there is an extra gift of connecting with people right now via Facebook and Instagram, and I’m sure I’ll forever be left out of a subculture that is occurring as everyone comes together during this time; I’m totally okay with that.

The last few weeks has been very calm here in our home, I attribute much of this to me being off social media. I have no added drama, no hysterical or uniformed posts entering my brain space. Instead it’s peaceful and calm.  My anxiety is down.  I’m staying informed with occasion news watching and articles but really being off social media has allowed me to maintain my energy levels.

I have two sisters who are both nurses, I worry for them. I worry for so many that are on the front lines. My heart breaks for anyone’s families and loved ones who passed during this time.  Funerals not held, feelings stuck in a holding pattern of unresolved states. There is so much I still do pray for and send positive energy towards.  Within my own home though I know the best thing I can do is provide a place of softness, a place of comfort and health, a clean space.  This is a time of bonding and a time of unexpectedly having us all together under one roof. For this I’m so grateful.

Soulful noticings  –

I’m still loving my outdoor time as much as I am able.  We are planning our summer garden, ordering seeds, and planning our yard out for summer. It’s fun and I find myself fully engaged.

Even with all that is happening in the world right now my anxiety levels are really low, almost non-existent.  I feel in control, I feel creative, inspired, and even hopeful.

It’s large I know but I hold a hope for society, that people coming together will really change some things.  Earlier tonight I spent a few minutes watching a news clip of people cheering for the nurses around various cities, even re-thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  There are so many brave people around us and I love that they are getting the thank you they deserve.  Even in this time of incredible loss and unknown there is still so much to be grateful for.

Thanks for following along with me here. Sending you each wishes of peacefulness and hope right now.