The Little Things No. 10

The little things really do add up, which is why every Friday I want to end the week on a positive note with appreciation for the little things in my life that make up a greater sense of joy.  I hope you join me today in appreciating the good, no matter how small.

Because this is about appreciation rather than perfection, I’m not only including my professional quality photos, but some cellphone snaps as well. You can expect to see a more candid look into my life every week with my The Little Things blog posts every Friday.

Dearest Friends,

How are you doing this week? Truly, I want to check in with each of you because we’re all in this together. What I love most about social media besides being able to look at and share beautiful photos and ideas, is the opportunity to connect with other people. If you’re here week after week, I truly appreciate you stopping by my blog and I want you to know that I appreciate you. This is a difficult time right now for many of us and I want to be a good friend, a good neighbor, and a good listening. Let me know how you’re doing in the comments below this post.

This week has been both the most hectic and the most calm week I have experienced since this pandemic reached New England. I went out for groceries at the beginning of the week and picked up everything we would need to keep us from having to grocery shop for the next two weeks (at least). With things reaching their peak here (and just beginning elsewhere in the states), I wanted to do my best to keep out of public spaces right now. Thats every new to me because I usually shop every other day or so for fresh food and I don’t stockpile ingredients at home like my mother and grandmother do. I used to find it to feel wasteful, that it took up too much precious space in my tiny kitchen, and I thought that it would keep me from eating healthy. I have found that, when being intentional, that isn’t necessarily true. I have discovered many healthy items and new ways to store and prolong the life of fresh food.

Tuesday morning I arrived at the grocery store right at opening, thinking I was going at the perfect time, only to discover that the line to get in was already and hour long wait time. Standing six feet apart from my fellow shoppers, I stood in line because I knew this was it for the next two weeks. -I was not going to be going back. I stood behind a lovely woman named Darlene and we actually talked much of the wait. We were both very happy to notice the kindness of strangers throughout all this. It felt a bit nerve-racking standing in line for groceries like that, with people wearing face masks and gloves. My temperature was checked at the door. Americans like their space bubbles, but we’re also used to standing much closer to one another when we talk. The six feet of space feels so distant and unnatural when having a conversation. Yet, everyone was patient and kind. There were encouraging messages on the sidewalks and posted on signs. “We’re all in this together.”

Going into the office just a few hours a few days a week has made my trips into work extremely busy and overwhelming. The pace at our office is usually slow, but steady. But now I find myself doing a weeks worth of work in a short amount of time, plus extra tasks for others at the office, and additional wait times for errands to the post office and the banks. This is not our new normal, but it is the reality we’re living in right now. I do miss the simplicity of the days before this all started. Most of all, I’m a bit sad about this weekend. Months ago, my grandmother had planned a trip to visit us form Florida to spend Easter with the family and that trip was cancelled. We were all truly looking forward to our family Easter picnic together, just as many families were. Although I miss everyone, my grandmother especially, I am also so thankful that we are able to keep people safe. I would much rather keep my distance now so that we can all be together later.

The up side is that I am finally settling into my downtime. At first, I had no idea what to do, but I have been taking off the pressure “to do” and shifting my focus just “to be.” It has been good for my wellbeing. I have been filling that space with healthy activities such as walks, at home work outs, meditation, calling loved ones on the phone, crafts, reading, connecting with friends online, self care, and letter writing. I hope that you too will take a moment to let go of all the pressures of having to be productive and instead focus on simply living in the moment.

These are the little things I am thankful for this week:

This sidewalk message of hope.

 Seeing how everyone is doing their best for everyone else.

Time out in nature.

We’re doing our best to keep our distance and to stay fit and active. It’s all a balance.

Drives with my husband.

I love how Matthew holds my hand when he drives. He did this when we first started dating almost twelve years ago and my heart still skips a beat when he reaches over for my hand.

Bringing back breakfast.

Better yet, I’ve been eating breakfast in bed most days. So luxurious. Most days I’ve been skipping breakfast or eating something light when I get into the office, but now I find myself eating whole delicious breakfasts again. And apparently, I’m not the only one. Grocery stores and brands have noticed a spike in the sales of breakfast foods; cereals, oatmeals, eggs, etc. I’ve been obsessed with avocado toast with friend eggs lately. With so many Americans skipping breakfast (the most important meal of the day), I hope that this trend continues and that we keep it for good.

Our community.

I reached out this morning on Instagram to check in with everyone and see how they’re doing. We’re all neighbors after all. One of my childhood heroes is Mr. Rogers. I love his kindness and compassion for everyone. I want to be that kind of friend and neighbor too.

What are you thankful for this week?

With appreciation,

Courtney