How to Live in Joy

Day 15: How a writing prompt brightened my day!

Today’s piece is day 15 in a 30 day series during this month of May, 2020. It was such a joy to receive this writing prompt about lockdown from Aurora Eliam, CMP and Kevin Buddaeus here on Illumination!

Every day during these 30 days I am writing about the daily joys I find here at home. Things are slowly opening up here in the state of Oregon. Luckily it is a fairly cautious opening, as we still have to be very careful to not get sick and not get others sick.

I feel it is so very important to first think of others during this time. We do not know how fragile other’s immune systems may be. We don’t have contact tracing or lots of testing in place, so we as a family are erring on the side of caution right now.

As of yesterday some non-essential shops were allowed to open. They are still only allowing people in one at a time and I appreciate all of the hard work they are doing. It’s interesting because although there are things I miss, shopping is not really one of them. I am a minimalist, so now more than ever I have found so much joy in what I already have. My husband and I look forward to our weekly grocery pick up and that is all the shopping we need to do right now.

Now on to these amazing questions about lockdown:

1. What have you missed the most during this lockdown? I have missed being able to see my friends and family in person. I used to make an effort to get together with each of my close friends in person for a meal or for coffee or tea at least once a month or every two months. We have had to postpone our plans. We have had phone conversations, texted and done video chats, but there is something truly magical about being in the presence of someone that I really miss. I miss hugging my friends, really seeing how they feel, laughing and crying with them over a special meal. These are the things that I miss the most. The true, in-person human connection.

2. What is the best thing about being in a lockdown? I have found so many positives during this lockdown. I have learned to truly be at myself and give myself plenty of time to just “be” instead of “do” all of the time. I have left plenty of time to go out into the garden every afternoon and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is like an afternoon meditation, rain or shine.

One other things I have loved is having my husband and my son as my co-workers at the same table with me. I am so overjoyed to have them home with me. It has been such a blessing. I love working with them and I am truly grateful that we all get along so well.

3. What has been the worst thing about being in lockdown? Not being able to sit down in a restaurant to have a meal. We have loved picking up takeout meals from our favorite local places, but there is something special about sitting down at a table to share a meal with others and truly experiencing the food, hot and fresh from the restaurant kitchen. To soak in the energy of the other guests in the restaurant and to feel the happiness and joy in the air through the sharing of food together.

4. Who would you have liked to host in your home during the lockdown and why? My sister in law Abby. She is a lot of fun! I am sure we would do a lot of cooking together, make cocktails together and have tons of fun chatting about things. We would probably also work on craft projects together. She’s a lot of fun to be around!

5. What have you discovered about yourself in the lockdown? I have discovered that I can truly find joy in every day if I choose to slow down, notice and observe. It’s been such a fun challenge to really look inward at myself and appreciate that I am a positive being. Most of all I have discovered that I am truly resilient and adaptable. I am loving myself more than ever and know that I will come out of this stronger and wiser.

6. What did you eat (or drink) the most during the lockdown? We have enjoyed cooking a lot of different dishes and also every weekend we have enjoyed takeout from local restaurants. The common theme through this has been lots of coffee and tea. I am lucky that I know a coffee roaster and a tea blender locally, so they can deliver to us! We have also enjoyed treats from our local bakery as well. She is a pastry chef trained in France! Everything is delicious!

7. Apart from sleeping and working, what activities did you undertake the most during the lockdown? I have enjoyed playing “Animal Crossing” with my son recently, it’s fun to both have characters to play on that game. I have also done a lot of writing on this amazing publication of Illumination, done a lot of gardening, cooking, cleaning, walks with my dear husband and son. I have also started to study French so that we can go to Europe when we can travel again. I’ve done plenty of reading, calligraphy and work on my business as well. I’ve enjoyed this time to do all of these activities and I have loved that time has slowed down more!

8. Will you come out of lockdown heavier or lighter? I will come out lighter in spirit, perhaps a little bit heavier in body. However, I am glad that I keep exercising in the mornings, walking in the garden and around the neighborhood.

9. What resource has helped you the most during the lockdown? I would say the daily messages with my accountability partner on WhatsApp. We can help each other through anything! We have become closer and stronger throughout this experience. We have truly helped each other become better through all of this.

10. What is your top tip for other people in lockdown right now? I would say: find things that truly bring you joy in your home. Truly nurture and take care of your home and you will feel the joy. Take care to clean your home with joy and in turn you will feel better.

11. How has lockdown changed you? I believe I have become stronger. I have become more confident in who I am and who I am not. I believe that I have something to share with the world and gifts to offer. I am proud to share those gifts with the world now.

12. If you were to leave a ‘message in a bottle’ for the future, what would you say? I would say: You already have in your heart, soul and body what you need. You don’t need to change, you just need to grow. Just like a beautiful plant, you have all of the elements you need already. Just keep growing and reaching and expanding as a person to reach your highest potential. Share your light and your gifts daily with the world. Don’t be afraid to share them!

One last question, where are you? I am in Beaverton, Oregon in the U.S.

This article was in response to the prompt: Answering Questions About A Lockdown from Keno Ogbo

Below are several articles answering the same 12 questions by the brilliant Keno Ogbo, 🦄 Chris Hedges, Dipti Pande, Kevin Buddaeus, Besom & Bletherskite, Russell Weigandt, Lori Brown, Timothy Key, and Amy Marley.❤️

Today I am tagging: KeepingItRealWithAnnick and Bob Jasper to write their answers to these questions if they haven’t already participated. :)

With lots of love,

Trista

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