There are lots of conversations on social media and I’m sure in offices, homes, 6 feet apart in lines in front of walmart… about how society will change after the Covid-19 stay at home orders are lifted.

And, I don’t know anything about that. I’m not in tune with that thinking. I just keep doing what I can, that is right in front of me.

I bake, sew, quilt, talk to friends, teach, train, practice gratitude, garden, keep bees, walk, pray, hope. What is certain, is that life is uncertain. I am not guaranteed the next breath.

Here’s what I feel about my experience, though, so far. I will be even more diligent to use my time and resources well. I have made a crate full of Christmas gifts and fun things for our home, and it’s not because I have more time. It’s because I’m not allowing a temporary lack of focus, turn into a trip to town to buy something I might not have needed in the first place.

I do that a lot, apparently. And, I’ve also discovered, with intention and planning, I can go 2 weeks without driving into Lincoln, Nebraska. And, with even more planning, I can get all the essentials done, plus some extra visiting with my favorite shops, in half a day.

I know for some, cabin fever is setting in. I do remember that being more pronounced when my boys were little and weeks of super cold or rainy weather kept us all inside, cooped up. I was ready; ready to get out of the house and into some sunshine.

So, maybe I have an advantage, as a quasi-empty nester.

I also have so many things I love to do, and want to try, and I get distracted easily by the next shiny object, which might send me to town to pick up one thing.

I think there’s balance to be achieved there. Or, maybe just more thinking on why I get distracted, what distracts me, and if that’s a good or bad thing.

I do know, I intend to make fewer trips to town, without sacrificing my essential relationships in town. That alone, probably reclaims a full day to create, instead of windshield time.

So, I’m not that smart or interested in trying to guess how or if society will change after this. I just keep living with what is in front of me, and appreciate the beauty in ordinary and simple things.

I’d love to hear what creative things, if any, you’ve been doing during this Covid-19 stay at home period. Best way, is to find me on Instagram!

Your friend,
Anne Dovel