Living well in challenging times #3....Control the things you can....

We all thought 'this' would go away once we were vaccinated, didn't we. 'This' being the Covid craziness. The mask-wearing, the staying-in, the missed family events, the just plain silliness and sadness and frustration of it all.

It's worn thin, am I right?

For our part, we don't watch the news much any more. We've more or less taken matters into our own hands. By which I mean, we're triple vaccinated, we wear masks everywhere, we hand sanitise, check-in, social distance and generally otherwise behave like hermits, because frankly, that suits us. That's pretty much our personal preference.

I am struggling to find a reason to be angst-ridden any more. I think this might just be life on Planet Earth for the foreseeable future, whether that's 5 months, 5 years or 50. I've always been the person that just goes 'okay, problem, where's the solution', and then just dealt. What, honestly, is the point of doing otherwise??

We just control what we can, and ignore the rest. Why is that so hard for some folk?

Here's what we can control:

Watching (or rather NOT watching) the news.

Finding new ways to amuse ourselves, lockdown or no lockdown.

Finding new ways to 'travel', coz, you know. we LOVE to travel, but can't for now.

Finding new ways to connect with family and friends.

Ensuring a well stocked pantry, so that when supply chains fail, we do not have to panic-buy.

Just being a bit Zen, for want of a better word. What will be, will be.

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas in Middle Sons apartment building in 2021. What a delight. And an event that wouldn't have transpired had not Covid intervened. He only lives where he is, in part, due to impacts of Covid. What a view, seen above, and what a beautiful day we had. Travel pangs satiated. 

That avocado salad, pictured at top of this post was lipsmackingly delicious. Restaurants? Who needs 'em?

For my part, finding a new craft and gift making skill was paramount, and how cute are these Resin bangles I made with supplies found on Amazon...above using cake sprinkles, below using crushed boiled sweets.

I took my appearance seriously, even when in lockdown, and certainly when out and about. Wearing a mask, for me, meant Power Accessorising in other ways. I cannot tell you how many strangers smiled at me, or struck up a conversation with me due to my brooches, earrings, rings and necklaces. It brought joy to them and to me.

I nested at home. A lot. A very lot. I persuaded Husband to build mantelpieces and rearranged, and moved furniture, and repurposed. When we were kids, we used to rearrange our bedrooms during holidays, just for fun. It was a no brainer for decluttering too!

Pinterest, ever the friend of the crafter, inspired the silk orchid arrangement above. Thanks Pinterest. I had everything on hand. I just needed to put it all together.

We ate and continue to eat, a good deal of vegetarian food. Growing a few herbs and soft leafy things, and having dried pulses and beans on hand meant that a mouthwatering meal is always available. Even carnivorous Husband is now a convert. We sleep better, feel better, and we've both lost weight. Above, Split Pea and vegetable soup topped with home made coconut yoghurt. Below, Herbed Vegetable and Ricotta Texas sized Muffins. Yum.

This mindset is not new to me. From a very young age, I intuited that the world was not always the way we wish, and that the only way to navigate it, was to manage your expectations, control what you can, and ignore the rest. But certainly the last two years have tested that mindset stingingly.
I struggle somedays too. As I'm sure do you. But if you just breathe, turn inward, and make home the haven, it's not all bad. Really.
How have you navigated the tough times over the last two years?
...Mimi...