Tips + Reminders For Staying Positive + Focused During The Pandemic (& In General)

This pandemic is lasting a REALLY LONG time. Maybe you’re feeling weary, worn out &/or highly stressed. Please know: You are definitely not alone! I have some ideas to help lift your spirits & keep you focused on what’s important (to you) & your (life) goals!

Whether you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP) or not, we’re in this pandemic together. It’s taking a collective toll on all of us. I was recently asked how I manage to stay positive & focused - almost one year in. Here are a few thoughts & tips for you. I’ve created 3 tidy categories - although obviously there’s overlap & intermingling between them.

Staying Focused:

Meditation + Mindfulness - My mainstays in life. Also, my “Happy Place.” M+M help us focus in a way that’s difficult to describe until you’ve actually tried them. A very simple exercise: Take 5 minutes each day to relax & focus on (pay attention to) your breath. Breathe in that which nourishes you (Love, Light or Peace, etc.) & breathe out that which troubles you (Overwhelm, Anxiety or Stress, etc.). 5 minutes per day. That’s it - for starters.

Routines: I’m not a real routine-oriented person (I relish flexibility) but am trying to stick to a “routine with wiggle room” while working from home & running my business. Routines can help reduce stress while increasing productivity. Create one that works for you; maybe one with wiggle room?

Accountability (Buddies) + SMART GOALS - I know; this doesn’t necessarily sound like a whole lot of fun, but having an accountability buddy works! Try it - for exercise, personal or professional goals. SMART goals = Specific + Measurable + Achievable + Realistic + Time-bound. For starters, work on one SMART goal per week. Document your progress in a notebook or journal.

List-Making - I’m a major list maker! This practice really helps organize the myriad of thoughts in my over-active brain. I have lists for my lists; lol. You may want to check out this lovely book: The 52 Lists Project by Moorea Seal.

Limiting Distractions - Fairly self-explanatory. Be mindful of screen time, scrolling, television time, etc. We all have the same amount of hours in each day. What matters is how we spend those hours!

Staying Positive:

Connection: Make sure you stay connected with yourself (first & foremost), friends & family. Connection is absolutely imperative for our mental/emotional + spiritual well-being. (There are so many interesting & unique online groups, classes & activities too. Check them out. learn something new & make new connections & friends in the process!)

A Gratitude Practice - A true game changer! I recommend thinking about 3 “things” for which you are grateful each day. List & possibly journal about them in a special notebook/journal. My 3 for today are: The feel of Spring in the air + a lovely “business” zoom meeting early (!!) this morning + time for relaxation & replenishment.

Movement/Exercise = VITAL for our mental/emotional & physical health. Movement & endorphins do wonders for our overall well-being! People are discovering so many creative ways to exercise & stay fit! From online dance & yoga classes to “at home” trampoline jumping to long walks in different neighborhoods. You may want to challenge yourself to a SMART exercise goal with an accountability buddy!

JOY: Make time for things that bring you JOY. It has been a heck of a year - especially for those who have lost loved ones to the corona virus (&/or have/had the virus themselves). A special “shout out” to our healthcare workers & many other essential workers. We must remember to focus on that which brings us joy. What brings you joy? (Hint: journal prompt.) Please make time for JOY & CELEBRATION daily!

Limiting news intake: Especially if you’re an HSP, please limit how much news you watch or read. Stay informed (Yes, please!), but don’t overdo it.

A Few Additional Suggestions:

Self-Care - Those of you who know me a little (or a lot) know that Self-Care is near & dear to my heart! This past year has been ROUGH. Practicing loving self-care tremendously impacts both our focus & our mood (staying positive). Reminder: Good sleep & proper nutrition are key facets of self-care. Self-care is a very important part of health-care!

Stay on top of your health. Please remember to keep up with your healthcare appointments - dental, ophthalmology, mammograms, wellness checks, acupuncture, etc. It’s very easy to loose sight of our necessary appointments in the midst of a pandemic!

Woo Woo Spirituality (+ Crystals): Woo may or may not be your thing. I respect that. I happen to like it & have been learning a bit more about crystals as of late. (I was enchanted by rocks as a child…)

And finally, if you’re really struggling with your mood &/or your focus, I recommend that you speak with a professional - your M.D. or nurse practitioner or psychologist/therapist or psychiatrist, etc. Reaching out is a courageous step! These are difficult times. Please get the help you need.

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts - a place where we can welcome new friends & celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Check out my video below!

(That’s my beautiful new + sparkly amethyst gemstone in my hand!)

RESOURCES:

Take a peek on Amazon for books about meditation + mindfulness. One of my all-time faves is: Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn (1994).

Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lammot - Ms. Lamott is a rare gem; love her!

Atomic Habits by James Clear - I’m reading it now!

There are oodles of beautiful journals & notebooks on Amazon too. Have fun window shopping!

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Hi; I’m Mary - a Highly Sensitive Person, cat lover and guidance counselor for adults. I love helping young women navigate life while caring for their sensitive souls.

Please follow me on my Facebook Business Page. If my work resonates with you, I think you’ll enjoy joining my email list & receiving my free HSP Manifesto. Hope to connect with you soon!

Love + Meow.

❤ Mary

TSS 🐈

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