-Normalcy is key in times of uncertainty-

GOOD MORNING!!! Happy Monday! I know that I am not the only one who needed to double check what the date was before writing it. This quarantining is sure doing some interesting things to say the least, and not knowing the date or even the time is definitely one of them. I wanted to write to you all today about this new reality we were facing. I know that while it is still new, we are starting to settle into it. The first few days were TOUGH. I mean, everything that we knew to be our lives, somehow was stripped away in a few news conferences. And there we were to put the pieces together. Make it less scary. And figure out a plan of just how we would come to accept this. I know it left me feeling very anxious, uncomfortable, and just overall not happy. I was frustrated that my students were being taken away from me. That my beloved gym had to close their doors. That I was a risk to my grandparents. It scared me in a way I had never been scared before and I did not like it. Not one bit. 

So the days went on. I tried to find a new normal. Like did I still wake up at the same time? Did I eat eggs and toast for breakfast now because well I had the time? Was I supposed to shower and get ready for work? Or were sweatpants just fine? Should I eat lunch? Was I even hungry? So many questions running through my head at one time. It was overwhelming. It was different for sure. And there was no guidelines on how to approach it other than trial and error. So thats what I did. And let me say I lived in that error area for a few days. At first, it was great. Because it was that long desired break and slow down that I had been begging for. Until it wasn't just a long weekend. Soon I didn't know what day it was. I had eaten way too many snack. I hadn't worked out. Did I even shower? Who knows. And then I  woke up and realized that this was more than a long weekend. This was a new reality and the only way it would get better is by making it better. So I decided to start realllllyyy small. I showered. And then I decided I was going to blow-dry and straighten my hair. Then something else amazing happened. I put on make up and real clothes. And suddenly, it was like my whole outlook on this changed. I was ready to work and be productive. I was motivated to get done early so I could sneak in a walk/run. I felt like me and not just some lazy couch potato who was annoyed that Netflix had the audacity to ask me if I was still watching. (seriously, they should temporarily remove that feature during this pandemic. obviously we are watching!!)

From that day on, I had a little bit of life in me. Was I automatically adjusted to both DJ and I working from home in a small apartment? No. But did I feel a little bit more like myself. Absolutely. I think that through this time of unknown, that is the key. To find that things that we know and are comfortable with and do them. To bring a sense of normalcy into this trying time. And if we can’t, then we need to create a new normal. Whether it is walking around the neighborhood on your lunch break or reading before bed every night or doing a workout just to hear the instructors voice. Whatever it is, make sure it takes you to a place that is closer to you. Will it be the same? Of course not. Because the circumstances are different. But is it the best option at the moment…you already know the answer. So let’s keep doing it. I cannot tell you how amazing it has been to see everyone connecting via social media. I mean really, all the workouts, the FaceTime happy hours, the education that is taking place. It is seriously amazing to see how although we are distant in a physical sense, we are more together than we have ever been in an emotional sense. That ladies and gents is how you take lemons and made lemonade (with vodka in it for obvious reasons). 
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Togetherness has never been more important than now. And TORQUE tribe, this is a skill we mastered a long, long time ago.We need more things that fuel hope and set fire in hearts to keep on going though this tough time. We can do this. We already are. We just can’t stop, and I know that we have the best army behind each and every one of us holding our hands along the way. Remember, you don't have to run, you don't have to walk, crawl if you have to just don't stop moving towards the day that we can all be together again in friendship and love. That’s the silver lining. And that is what I keep on the forefront these days. It you guys. You are giving me the strength I need to get through this. 


With all my love and endless air hugs, 

Caroline