It has been several weeks of isolating at home for some. And for others, it's even more. Whether you're on the East Coast or the West Coast of the U.S. or in the Middle East or Europe, we're all going through something together: Grief. We are all in mourning right now. We have all lost something. And sadly, some of us might lose someone we love during this.

- Some have lost their sanity. (Me...I am definitely part of that some.)
- Seniors are losing their chance to attend the prom and walk across the graduation stage.
- Some have lost their jobs.
- Some kids are losing their safe haven.
- Weddings are postponed.
- Baby showers and bridal showers are cancelled.
- Women are having their babies alone instead of being surrounded by loved ones.
- We have lost our routine and norm.

With many of us mourning, it's important we remember that it's okay to not be okay. It's OK to be fearful and have anxiety with the state of things. It's okay to not have it all together in a perfect picture. It's so important for us to understand this and be okay with things not being perfect. I think it's a way to remind us that we're human and not robots without feelings and emotions. You shouldn't have to hide your feelings or be ashamed of how you're grieving and reacting to all of this.

While we are all grieving, let us mourn in the way that best benefits our well-being. Grief looks different to everyone. That might mean cooking, baking, working out, or relaxing in bed with a cup of tea and Netflix. With many trying to tell us how to use this time, do what you need to do for YOU. Some of us will celebrate life. That is okay. Some of us will cry. That is okay. Some of us will do a little bit of both. That is okay. And if all you do during this pandemic is survive, that is more than okay too.

@thoughtswithh

Along with grieving together, we are also forced out of our comfort zones. Do you know what happens when we move outside of our comfort zone? We grow and it might not be graceful but it will be beautiful in the end. It will be the end of our old habits and the beginning of our new norm. We're all mourning, struggling, and grieving but this is going to change us for the better.

People usually ignore one another when passing one another on the sidewalk. Now we will make sure to make eye contact and offer a friendly smile. I don't know about you but I definitely wouldn't say hello to a human unless they had a dog with them. I very rarely say hello to my neighbor prior to this pandemic but now we exchange daily hello's and offer a quick check-in to see how we're doing with all of this. Nurses, hospital staff, restaurant employees, teachers, and so many others are being praised for all their hard work and dedication when before their efforts were under-acknowledged, unseen, and taken for granted by many.

People are being forced to spend time at home with their immediate families and they are filling up their time playing board games and cooking together. We are taking this time to put it back into one another and into ourselves for some much-needed self-care. Kindness and offering support and care to strangers are the new normal right now and I am here for that atmosphere to stay. Today, we're giving a hand to one another without any care of something in return and it's so beautiful. We're all just hoping to add a smile to someone's day or make them feel appreciated for their effort during this pandemic.

There are nonbelievers starting to believe in a higher power. Those who never prayed before are closing their eyes and asking God for help and a miracle. I was moved to tears when I drove by the hospital in my hometown where people lined the sidewalk praying and singing to show their support for hospital staff. People all over the world are joining together to pray for one another regardless of what they define their religion. I don't know about you but I'm praying more and for the first time in a long time - I cannot wait to go to church.

Yes, we're all grieving and there are moments stolen from us that we won't get back. We need to validate those feelings, thoughts, and emotions before we move to the growing part of this pandemic. Yes, it's scary. Yes, this sucks. Yes, we're losing moments and people. And yes, It's not fair.

If we only focus on the negatives of this pandemic, it will win.

Don't let this evil virus take over more than what it's already taken. Stay kind long after the pandemic ends. Keep thanking people for their hard work. Crave relationships and prayer, whatever that may look like. This traumatic pandemic is going to have an effect on people's mental health during and long after this is over. The best way we can win is by continuing the love we are sharing today with one another after it ends. Making each day count towards our happiness and not letting moments slip by.

We will be better people coming out of us. We are going to be better for ourselves, our kids, and our World. With so much sadness, heartache, and the cons of this pandemic, the positives are going to outweighs the negatives. Our world is coming together rather than falling apart. Instead of ignoring how this will affect our mental health, people are checking in on one another. Instead of going through this selfishly, we are facing this selflessly.

As you grieve and grow, do what you need to do for yourself, be kind to yourself, and to others. You might get lonely and your thoughts and emotions might tell you differently but you are not alone. This virus cannot and will not break us. It might shake us but it won't weaken us. We are in this together and we will come out of this pandemic kinder, more loving, and thoughtful on our relationships and connections with one another.

The time to support one another is now. And tomorrow. And the day after that. And for always after that.

@thoughtwithh