So this is not my typical blog post.

But then again, there is nothing typical about the times we are living in.

I want to ask,

What are you doing to stay emotionally healthy right now? How are you taking care of your mind and your spirit? 

I think we can see such a wide array of the state of things from the social media outlets we follow.

We see some hurting and dealing with tragedy.

We see some that have developed strong opinions and a political voice with new found boldness and desire to express.

We see some amazing Pinterest mamas that seem to have been born for this moment. Whose crafts have crafts and seem to not miss one beat or one moment of opportunity during this time of quarantine. 

Whatever camp you may be in there is something we all share, and that's a degree of isolation.

Isolation that was unexpected and isolation that has changed us in one way or another. 

So I want to check on you. It's so easy to retreat and wrestle with our feelings alone. But I truly believe we need each other. We need to hold each other up and offer community during a time of solidarity.

Our emotional well being is nothing to take lightly. We have go be careful not to get so lost in our new roles as full time home keepers, homeschoolers and work-from-homers that we forget to nourish the very heart that keeps those things going. 

I wanted to share with you what I'm doing to take care of my heart and mind these days. 

1. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)"

Despite my desire to sleep in until my kiddos wake up, I've started waking up really early. I need time in the word of God and time praying before I'm ready to face the little crazies that live in my home. It gives me peace and patience needed to be the mom I need to be all day long. I can tell when I skimp and know that it adds so much value to me and my kiddos lives.

2. Exercise.

This one is hard. I'm an immediate results kinda girl, haha. But this is the long road. I know, however, that my spirits are lifted so much when I'm physically active. So after my time with the Lord, this is next on the list. 

3. "The Next Right Thing"

As Ana sings in Frozen 2, sometimes we just have to do the next, right thing. My nature is to cram a much as I can in a day and I get frustrated when I can't accomplish it all. Being at home I see all of the dirt and clutter and imperfection and I want to solve all of those problems. But the result is grumpy mommy and wife, not at all beneficial to anyone. I tell myself that each day I want to accomplish one, one, ONE thing. If i get the dishes done in a day, then I'm calling it a win. 

4. Documenting Our Days

Now this one may or may not be for you, and that's ok! But taking a few minutes each day to just stop and document the mundane and the beautiful helps charge my spirit. These pictures aren't perfect, and by themselves may be very simple. But they are part of a bigger story. A story that in months, years from now will be quite profound and unique. I hope to look back on all of these pictures one day and not remember the virus. Rather, remember the time where all I was expected to do was spend time with those closest to me. 

So here are my 4.  I would love to know some of yours. How are you taking care during these dark and uncertain times? Let's check on each other. Lift each other up. Call each other. Pray for each other. 

We can be alone together.