I’ve been tracking what bothers me since the third wave of COVID hit Ontario and other parts of Canada. In Ontario, it is causing more lockdowns and more shutdowns. Schools are closed again. People are both fearful and angry. Public Health advice is augmented with provinces invoking Emergency Measures Acts to issue ‘stay-at-home’ orders along […]
Health
The End of 2020
Tomorrow, we see the end of 2020 — aka the year of COVID! There’s no way to think of the year except that it was a beast of a year. For me, 2020 began with the usual hopes, dreams, and resolutions. As is my custom, I chose a word of the year (WOTY). The word […]
The Pandemic and Intentionality
The Stanford encyclopedia of psychology defines intentionality as “the power of minds and mental states to be about, to represent, or to stand for, things, properties, or states of affairs.” The definition of intentionality refers to what is important in relationships or aspirations. It implies purposeful behaviour that is based on beliefs or values. Last […]
The Pandemic and Courage
Last week, I listened to Brene Brown’s new podcast, Dare to Lead. You can listen to the first episode here https://brenebrown.com/dtl-podcast/ As she spoke about bravery and courage for leaders, my thoughts jumped to applying these concepts in our personal lives. As we navigate through the pandemic we need the same type of courage that she sees […]
The Two Little Voices and COVID Decisions
When I make decisions about interacting with the wider world during COVID, I hear two little voices. These voices alternate between encouraging me to go out to socialize and warning me to be careful as the coronavirus lurks everywhere. Before I go to an event, the voices in my head chatter about safety. The first voice […]
My 2020 Pandemic Summer
It’s summer — but the 2020 pandemic has changed most things about how we enjoy this season. Knowing that the virus sneakily lurks and may pounce again keeps me sheltered with my husband in our ‘bubble’ at the cottage. Rates of infection in our part of Ontario are low but that doesn’t mean throwing precaution […]
What’s the New Normal Lifestyle?
I’m thinking about my new normal lifestyle after the pandemic restrictions are lifted. Earlier this month the Premier announced a regional re-opening of businesses and services in Ontario. Best of all, last Friday, June 12, Ontario announced that it would allow people to define a safe social circle of 10 people! I jumped for joy […]
Coping with COVID 19 by Lowering the Bar
During this time of staying home to avoid COVID-19, I’m coping by lowering the bar. Today marks 24 days of staying at home. Consequently, I’ve given myself permission to lower the bar. Filling my days with a sense of purpose doesn’t work. It’s impossible to focus for any length of time when I’m preoccupied with […]
COVID-19 — My Way of Keeping Perspective
Keeping perspective when subjected to a daily barrage of media about numbers of people contracting COVID-19 and numbers of people who die is not easy. My husband and I both fall into high-risk categories for a serious and, possibly fatal episode if we should contract the virus, because of our age. Though not frail, my […]
Psychological Fitness
How much time and effort should one devote to psychological fitness? Many of us pay attention to physical fitness, especially after the December holidays. January is the time of year when people typically start new exercise programs or go back to the gym after a couple of weeks away. Sadly, most of us give little […]
