What is Essential?

Essential:

Adj: absolutely necessary; extremely important.

Noun: a thing that is absolutely necessary.

How many weeks has this been? Is it still April? The days are blending into one another, much like my thoughts, and don’t even get me started on how much I’ve spent on groceries. No one in this house can stop eating, myself included. Having a home office located in our kitchen isn’t exactly ideal for me.

I get it. Some of us quarantine better than other—that’s a given—but all of us are starting to feel the walls closing in. Especially here in dreary Michigan, where a sunny day is as rare as a unicorn.

Or is it? As I write this, sunlight is streaming through our front windows with blinding strength. The kind of bright that makes you want to wear sunglasses indoors. The kind of sunlight that is whispering something to me.

Dream, it says.

Dream of a better day ahead of you.

Think of what you want to do first when this quarantine has lifted. I know the world is going to look different, but what from your pre-quarantine life is essential to you?

For me, it’s getting together with friends. The Friday happy hour or Sunday funday. Being able to give a friend a random hug. Working in an office.

Shopping at Target without a mask.

I know, these things sound frivolous when people are fighting for their lives with this virus. Or you’re one of the brave souls who put on your work clothes and head into the hospital every day. I know your wishes are far different than mine, and that’s okay. We all have a different take on this pandemic and will struggle/deal with it in our own way.

There are no instructions on how to quarantine properly. No pandemic guidebook to ease your worries. We have a few more weeks of this and need to keep our eyes on the future and our hearts in the here and now. Be kinder to yourself and those around you, everyday, and remember this isn’t something we’ve ever been through. There are no right or wrong answers.

So, for today, I want you to take in the sunshine and the warmer temperature - wherever you are - and trust that you are exactly where you need to be. We will get through this with more awareness of ourselves, and create more understanding and a grateful world in the future.

And when in doubt, read something wonderful.

xo, Mo