Social distance goes
on, and I’ve forgotten
how to hug people
Continue readingpandemic
Reflecting on a Year of the Pandemic Lifestyle
It’s a bit cliché to write a reflection on the pandemic year, but I’m going to do it anyway. It’s been a long year, and it’s also been surprising to me how I’ve gotten used to pandemic lockdowns. Like most people, I was very nervous in the beginning, especially because of my mental health concerns. And as 2020 dragged on and all the terrible things that happened, it hit me emotionally like everyone else. But the pandemic lifestyle hasn’t been all bad.
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Before COVID (a 6-word story)
Family (a haiku)
Durable People (a poem)
we are durable people
roughing thru pandemics,
storms, & various other
upheavals toppling
societal norms
the breaking point
must come sooner
rather than later
when frozen pipes,
price gougers, &
relentless deliriums
make folks show
true stripes
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Emerging (a poem)
traveling the dark tunnel
there’s no end up ahead
only pitch-black fear
innocent cries I hear
the virus has destroyed us
but in our weakness
we find strength
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What I’ve Been Doing for my Mental Health
January was a decent month for me, and I figured I’d give an update on things in an effort to advocate mental health. I’ve written about mental health a bit on this blog, but it usually falls by the wayside compared to the fiction and poetry stuff I share.
Over the past few years, I’ve developed some mental health routines. One of them is to track my mood every day on a phone app called Daylio. The app is free (I think) and it’s a great way to keep me present. It does feel weird to gather so much “data” on my mood – I can see charts, etc., broken down by day of the week, month, all sorts of things. But it’s still great.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, but it’s going to look a little bit different this year. Like many, we’ve decided to not do an in-person meal with my family, opting instead to exchange food with my mom.
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Wearing my Mask (a poem)
I don’t mind wearing a mask, do you?
It’s a symbol of safety, respect for others
our brothers + sisters living in this crazy world
boys + girls just wanting peace
something to eat
shelter from the storm
born in this age of COVID + conflict –
we rest in our bubbles, away from the troubles
I smile at you behind my mask
you see my eyes bright, hopeful
you know I love you.
(Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash)
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Coping with Uncertainty
We’re living in dangerous times. Some people (like my girlfriend) seem to be able to cope with it better than me. For me, though, a lot of the things going on in the world have me feeling very on edge.
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