I'm definitely overdue for an update on the last couple of weeks of pandemic. That's partly because now that the euphoria of getting to stay home and control my own schedule has worn off, depression has started to creep back in. Trying to figure out what my remote work job is supposed to look like, struggling to keep to a routine and healthy eating and sleeping habits, and missing anxiety-free human contact outside my home are all affecting my mental health some. I feel like I have so many things I need to do now and not enough time in the day to do them all. But my family and friends and I are all healthy, and I'm always curious about the ways we respond to this crisis, whether that's finding connection, gathering what we need, or finding joy in everyday life.
Sidewalk Talk
I think I've said before that one of the best things about staying home right now is getting to walk through the neighborhood. We've been blessed with great weather right now, so my wife and I are getting in plenty of exercise and fresh air. But in addition to the beauty of nature, there's also the beauty of art people have been leaving on their driveways and sidewalks.
The picture above was especially encouraging. Meanwhile, someone else chalked out a fun scavenger hunt list for the neighborhood kids to find. It's nice to see everyone pulling together, even in simple ways, to get each other through this.
Quaran-tea-ne
My wife and I recently purchased a stash of tea to last us through the pandemic. This batch of tea came from Friday Afternoon, a Seattle-based small business with a wide variety of tea blends, including many inspired by fandoms--everything from TV shows to musicians to famous authors. We got four different kinds, but even so, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we got for our money. They even included a couple of free samples. We've tried three out of four teas so far, and they've all been delicious.
Even if you don't have the money for tea right now, I recommend spending some time on Friday Afternoon's website. There's something very soothing about browsing through pictures of loose leaf tea, and the pictures on this site are beautiful and such an aesthetic, framed in gorgeous china cups.
Watch This!
YouTube has also been keeping me company and lifting my spirits, especially when I'm working on the more monotonous parts of my job. You've probably seen John Krasinski's Some Good News channel, but if you haven't, it's an encouraging look at how humanity pulls together to help each other through crisis, with a few surprises along the way.
I've also been enjoying livestreams from one of my favorite channels, British gaming channel Outside Xtra. I love their sense of humor and their less-than-serious take on video game journalism, and I especially love the friendship between hosts Luke and Ellen. They've had to switch to livestreams because of the virus, but it's still such a joy to see them connect via the Internet. And their live Show of the Weekends and Animal Crossing streams always bring a smile to my face (especially seeing everyone from their sister channels get together for a K.K. Slider concert).
Last but not least, I'd like to share with you the quality content of "Seal farts after looking directly at me". I bet you can't guess what happens.
And that's it for now. I'll try to make these updates more regular, but in the meantime, stay safe and healthy!