It certainly is no secret that live is HARD right now. For you, for me, for those closest to us, for everybody. When we say we are living in unprecedented times, we truly are. Nobody could have anything like this coming. Life as we knew it has completely come to an end, and now we are left trying to create our "new normal." I will be the first to admit that I am struggling with everything that this entails and that my last couple of weeks have been rough. Honestly, I am taking this hard. but am doing my best to take things day by day, even hour by hour. I am also doing everything I possibly can that is in my power to take care of myself, and those closest to me. After all, we really are #TogetherApart right now. With all of that said, I'd just like to take a couple minutes to share a few of my "quarantine tips," or what is helping to keep me sane and get through these tough days, while holding out hope for better days to come...

1) Stay Close To Your Support System

-As mentioned very early on in my blog journey, my relationships mean everything to me and are what keeps me going. I am used to seeing those closest to me on a regular, if not daily, basis. Not seeing these people these last couple of weeks has proven to be very difficult for me and is what I am struggling with the most. It took me a long time to find "my people" and to be honest, being physically distanced from them right now just sucks. However, I am forever grateful for technology during this crazy, unprecedented time, because I have still been able to stay just as close with my support system as before. We have messaged, talked on the phone, sent crazy selfies, you name it every single day of this. We are constantly in communication, talking through anything we may be feeling, exchanging "I love you's," checking in on each other, and getting through this together, but apart. I know it's crazy to say, but if it wasn't for my phone, I honestly don't know what I would do or how I would be getting through this.

2) Keep The Faith

-While it is so important to keep your support system close right now, it is equally, if not more so, important to keep Jesus close. I made the decision from the very beginning of all of this that I was truly going to let Jesus be my light and guide through this very dark time, and since the day I have only been clinging to my faith more and more. I have found myself going deeper in prayer, and in Scripture, than I ever have before. I have also been listening to a lot of worship music, taking advantage of different things online to strengthen my faith/keep it strong, and growing in my faith. It really does help. I know it's crazy and believe me, I know how easy it is to run away from Jesus when things get bad, but I truly believe that clinging to faith is one of the only ways we, as a world, are going to get through this. This is perfect time for us all to come back to Jesus and unite in faith. Jesus is in control and is the same, today, tomorrow, and forever. <3

3) Develop A Schedule Or Routine

-Believe me, I know how easy it is to want to stay in bed binge-watching your favorite shoe all day, everyday right now. While I have certainly had my fair share of these days so far, I have found that it is so much better to stick to a routine during this time. Get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time, stay on a meal schedule, have your set remote learning, work from home, and homeschooling time. Know when you are going to be working and when you're not, and try to keep anything you can normal, but do not set unrealistic expectations.

4) Get Outside Everyday

-I don't know about you, but I HATE being stuck indoors, especially this time of year. Sunshine and fresh air are so good for the soul. I have always believed that a walk can cure anything, and that is the same practice and attitude I have taken with me into quarantine. I know that we have different circumstances right now, but to make a very long story short, I am taking care of my aunt's two kids, homeschooling them, trying to keep up with my classes, finish my internship, handle everything else, and stay sane. This has not proven to be easy, but my walk everyday is helping so much, in every aspect.

5) Allow Yourself To Feel Whatever You Are Feeling

-This is hard for everybody. There are so many emotions that people are feeling. Some days are going to be hard. Some days may be a bit easier. Everybody is responding differently, and that is perfectly okay. There is no right or wrong way to feel right now. Every feeling is completely valid. None of us have ever lived through a global pandemic before. There's no book to tell you how to deal with this There's no instruction manual on maneuvering in the midst of madness. Please, please, please do not push your feelings aside right now, and whatever you do, make your mental health and taking care of yourself a priority.

6) Turn Off The News (And Social Media)

-In my personal opinion, the news and the media are making things so much worse, and are doing nothing but inducing fear for all of us. As somebody who has major anxiety and panic attacks, lately, I have not been able to watch the news or scroll through social media in large doses--it just is too hard for me right now, and I have even considered deleting my social media pages until this is all over, but it is one of the way I am keeping in touch with those I can not physically see right now. One of the other biggest things I will say on this topic is to be very careful with where you are getting your news from and to make sure they are legit sources.

7) Practice Gratitude Everyday

-In times like this, it is so easy to just want to give up on everything. It can be so hard to see the good, but I promise you that it is there. Try to find the good in every day, even if it is just something small. Better days are always ahead, and we must hold on to that. Remember that love, hope, relationships, conversations, reading, walks, nature, music, will NOT be cancelled. Yes, life as we know it may not be the greatest right now, but we do need to lean into the good things that remain.

8) Allow Yourself To Grieve Whatever You Have Lost Right Now

-I know that grief is usually associated with death and losing a loved one, so this may sound a little silly, but grief can really be about any type of great loss. In all honesty, so many people have lost so much right now, and we have all had things that have been "stolen" from us. Yes, some of us have lost more than others, but we all have something to grieve right now, whether it's your wedding, your graduation, your job, your baby shower, your trip, time with loved ones, your birth plan, your child's birth day, and the list could go on forever. It is ok to be upset and grieve any of these things. Allow yourself the opportunity to do so. We can not pretend like this isn't happening, that will only make things worse in the long run.

9) Offer Yourself (And Those Closest To You) Some Grace

-Things are tough right now. People are stressed. There are going to be mistakes made. There are going to be lash outs. People are going to say things that they regret. People are going to be extra fragile and extra emotional right now. Things are going to happen that people don't really mean. Things are going to get neglected. You are not going to be as focused. You are not going to be your best self. You have just physically lost much, if not all, of your support system. You are transition to a whole new "normal." This is hard on all of us, and all we are trying to do is the very best we can, day by day, hour by hour. All we can do is love on each other (from apart) and offer grace. A lot of grace. We are all in this together, and the only way we are getting through this is together, but apart.

10) Follow The Guidelines (Yes, I Said It)

-I know that this is hard. I know being away from your people is hard. I know not having an income is hard. I know being stuck at home is hard. I know having your life turned upside down is hard. I get it. I really do. I am right there with you. I am struggling, too. BUT, these guidelines and lockdowns we have set in place right now are so so so important and necessary. We need to all do our part and follow them, to take care of each other and get this thing to end.