| Remember months ago when we said that 2020 was going to be our year? What happened? Who would have thought 2020 would have begun like this? Not me! It has been 6 weeks of experiencing this pandemic play out. If you are like me, it has been difficult understanding all that has been going on in the world. If I am being completely honest with you, at first I did not take this virus seriously until a couple weeks ago. When the word got out about COVID-19, I just thought that it was something in another country so we would not have to worry about it, but I see that it is affecting us all. I think we can all say that this season has been interesting right? With all that is going on, I have had my ups and downs. Some days, my challenging days consist of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a form of depression triggered by the changing of seasons according to Healthline.com. When I started college in 2014, I began to experience weird thoughts and emotions that would affect me during certain seasons. Some weeks ago, I found myself feeling: hopeless, unmotivated, irritated, confused, and alone and I found myself having a hard time wanting to spend time with God. If we relate, sometimes it can be challenging to get out of this kind of funk. Sometimes I convince myself that this pandemic is allowing people/the world to R E S T … well kinda, but when reality + emotions hit, it is not that easy. It is hard sometimes to ignore all that is going on in the world and I think everything began to affect me some weeks ago. While going through this funk, I began to think about what I could do to combat all that I have been feeling. If what I have been writing about relates to you, I hope my advice helps in some way :) Here are 5 ways that have helped me in this season:
Oil and incense make the heart glad, and the sweetness of friends comes from their advice Proverbs 27:9 2. Allow yourself to feel. By allowing yourself to feel, you are allowing yourself to process how you are feeling. While taking time out to feel what you are experiencing, try naming what you are feeling, such as sad because … or irritated because … or worry because … naming your emotions can help you process what happened. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 3. Prioritize your time with Jesus. Since being out of work, I have had more time to spend with the Lord. Some days I am more motivated than others. I have found it calming in this season to go outside, sit on my yoga mat, listen to my worship music (I have been loving Maverick City Music lately), journal, cry … just be with the Lord. Because of the pandemic, a lot of things have stopped and a lot of my distractions have also stopped which has given me slowness to help me hear God throughout the day. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 4. Get some S U N. Going outside has helped me tremendously during these crazy weeks. With prioritizing my time outside, I have been able to go on walks, go on prayer drives, exercise outside and get some fresh air. Did you know that sunlight can increase serotonin which aids in mood boast? Did you know that sunlight also gives us vitamin-D which can help with depression? Getting some sun can help more that you may think. With that being said, make sure you are wearing you sunscreen! From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 5. Give yourself G R A C E! I hope you understand that this season is crazy for us all. We all are struggling some way -- somehow. Everyone that I have talked to has been going through the motions and it is okay! It is okay not to be okay. Allowing ourselves to be imperfect is beautiful, yet difficult. In this season along with every season, the only hope we can cling onto is Jesus and because of Jesus, we have been given grace, so we deserve to give it to ourselves as well :) Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord 2 Peter 1:2 |
Welcome back
Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends
or
LOG IN WITH FACEBOOKNo account? Create one
Recommended for you
Tumblr
1. You have a Gold Card
Whether you know where your physical shiny Gold Card is that you were sent in the mail (mine is happily in my wallet) or you simply see the Gold Card on the Starbucks app, your Gold Card symbolizes your membership status with Starbucks. My Gold Card status is good through the end of 2017. Naturally, we addicts have no problem maintaining Gold status each year since we have around a drink a day.
2. You know how to use the mobile app like it’s the back of your hand
From mobile ordering to finding a Starbucks that’s open past 9 p.m., the Starbucks app has got your back. The app is basically an addict's best friend. It holds my Gold Card in it with my balance, all of my Star Rewards, coupons and the power to mobile order. Without it, how would we be able to find a Starbucks to get a late night Chai tea latte at 9:30 p.m.? With the mobile app, I've got the power of Starbucks coffee at my fingertips.
3. You mobile order is saved and ready to order with the push of a button
Early morning? Don’t want to sit in the drive through line? We addicts know that the mobile ordering is the solution. All I have to do is go to the order tab on the app and right at the top is my usual drink, grande iced Caffe Americano. I simply click "order," leave my house, grab my drink off the counter, and head off to work. The glares I get as I walk past the line of people waiting to order or receive their drinks are unreal, but what can I say, I’m smart and order ahead.
4. The baristas know you by name
Each one of the baristas knows you by name when you walk into the store. Now some of the drive-thrus even have cameras in them and when you pull up they see your face and say “Hey girl! Want your usual *insert drink here*?” Having the baristas as your friends is a perk, you know them, they know you, and most importantly, they know exactly how to make your drink perfectly.
5. You can’t get through the day without at least one Starbucks
Well, I average two a day so maybe I’m a super addict. A girl’s got to have her espresso in the morning and tea in the afternoon though, right? Most addicts will have to start their mornings out with a coffee or whatever their drink of choice is. If we addicts miss our morning caffeine, we will most likely be grumpy and the best thing to do is get us some caffeine ASAP.
6. The amount of caffeine that you can consume in a day scares most people
During this past finals week I managed to drink 12 shots of espresso in a five-hour period. Granted, I did start shaking around 8, I downed them like a champ and proceeded to write two papers and take an online exam. Caffeine = productivity.
7. Most people around you question why you go to Starbucks everyday
*Sigh* Non-addicts -- they just don’t understand an addict's need for a delicious cup of Starbucks everyday. It’s basically a necessity in our lives and there’s often criticism from those who don’t believe in caffeine or even worse, they prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee over Starbucks. Some people tell me that I don't need my Starbucks everyday but caffeine isn't an optional, it's necessary.
At this point, everyone around me has realized I’m an addict and while there has been attempts to intervene and halt my addiction, all attempts have failed. I’m a proud Starbucks addict who enjoys their finer coffee. So fellow addicts, keep on drinking Starbucks and block the haters out over a nice hot cup of Starbucks.
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Featured![christmas tree]()
![best wishes for Christmas]()
![theatre cast]()
![couple winter]()
![Christmas Socks Fireplace]()
