I hope that in the midst of all this chaos, stress, and uncertainty that this message finds you and brings you a sense of peace. I am writing to you to tell you that in the end, everything will be okay and if it’s not okay, well then it’s not the end. What is important at this very moment is that you are here. You are breathing. And you are going to walk away from this post with a better mindset on this than you did when you started reading. I am here to validate your fears and anxieties towards this situation, because quite frankly they are real. They are present. And they are scary. I am also here though to be the sunshine on a cloudy day. To offer perspective and solutions. In every single thing, there is some type of good. This blog is going to be the place that we go searching for the good in the middle of all of these troubles. So the question still stands…how do we walk on. Well, this is how. 

I can only imagine all the thoughts going through each and every ones heads. While we can connect on this to some degree, this experience is different for us all. Whether it be a matter of money, childcare, or being exposed, and working…it is nothing short of scary and stressful. It is times like these where the most essential thing that we do is come together. We cannot allow the stress or the anxiety of this situation to further isolate ourselves from the ones we trust, love, and care about the most any more than it already has. I know that this is not easy, but it is step one. Step two is not too far behind. We have to come to terms that this is the new reality. We have to accept and follow the precautions. Don't take the invincible approach on this one. My feelings are you might lose. Accept that this is happening and let’s work together to find solutions on how to get through. 

For those of you with kids at home, I can honestly say, I know what it is like. While I do not have children of my own, I have a lucky 18 that I get to call my own from 8-4 each day. Now that they are home, and most likely without formal plans yet from schools, this is my advice. 
1. Acknowledge that this is scary for them. They are dealing with this in their own way. They know that it is different and that something is wrong. Unfortunately, they don't have the mindset to sort all of this on their own. They will need your help to reduce their stress and anxiety on this. It is important to not project your fears onto them, but rather allow them to talk openly about how this situation makes them feel. 
2. Make a schedule. Don’t let this become a free for all. The more rigid this time can be, the better off! 
3. Remember they are listening. Be cautious and aware of what you say, the tone you say it in, and the amount that you are talking about this topic. Don't let this consume you any more that you need to. When we live in the future of what if, we have allowed ourselves to become anxious beings. Take this day by day, update by update, breath by breath. 
4. Implement some type of quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a half hour, some designated time where they can be alone and you can as well will allow for this time to be more bearable. I think all parties will benefit from this as it is exhausting on all ends. 
5. Teach them life skills. Speaking as a 1st grade teacher, those little bodies are capable of more than you think. This is a great time to teach them about laundry, dishes, cleaning, packing lunches, etc. Make this a part of their day. It not only gives them something to do, but helps you out as well. 
6. Wine. Self explanatory. No shame. Happy hour is any hour at this point. 

For those of you stuck at home: 
1. Prioritize self care. Take this time to deepen an understating of yourself. There are very few times when life almost comes to a complete stop. This is one of them. Start each day with something to make you feel good. Whether it is making your bed, drinking water, having your coffee outside, doing a workout. Do something to jumpstart the day. There is a lot of times on your hands and that is overwhelming. Start your day by doing something, I promise you won’t regret it. 
2. Do the TORQUE workouts that are being posted on the social media pages. With most gyms closed, this is not the time to do nothing. In addition to the TORQUE social media pages, there is Youtube, apps, Pinterest which are all great resources for some easy, simple at home workouts. You might find it hard to self motivate. The great thing is, everyone is in it together. Get a group together and do some workouts at the same time. Encourage each other the best you can from miles away. 
3. Get dressed! Yep, I know, the sweats are comfy. Being productive in slippers and a sweatshirt is HARD. Put on some jeans, do your hair, and you’ll be that much more motivated to work. 
4. Drink water, and more water, and more water. With the lack of exercise and possibly the lack of fresh produce available, keeping up on your water intake is CRUCIAL people. Especially since bathroom breaks are endless and about 5 feet away, there really is no excuse! 
5. Allow yourself to relax a little. Read some books, watch some new shows, take a bath, sleep in. Letting yourself relax is not a crime, especially in the middle of all this chaos. Being happy you have some time off is not a sin. So soak it up as a positive and move right along. 
6. FaceTime, Skype, etc with your coworkers. They are lonely too. Plan a virtual lunch date, call them on the phone, don’t isolate anymore than you have too. Remember, we rise by lifting others. Let them know you are missing them, because they are missing you too. 
7. Check things off the to do list. Clean out the basement, organize the hallway closet, sort through old clothes, purge, purge purge!! The time is now!! 

Will any of this be easy? Probably not. It’s not our normal. It’s out of our comfort zone. And to top it off, it’s paired with anxiety. It’s a pretty terrible recipe we have at the moment, but it’s all about perspective. Take this time to find the light. Take advantage of this extra time with your kids. They will remember this time of their life for their whole life. Make it a good memory. Have breakfast for dinner. Let them laugh and giggle. Have dance parties in the kitchen at 1 pm because you can. You will look back on this years from now and wish you could all be stuck together for just one day. The time is now to make those memories to one day look back on. Don’t let the virus steal that from you. And most importantly, breathe. It will be okay. It will end. And we will be stronger becuase of it not because we made it through, but because we did it together. And you all know that is my most favorite place to be. 

That’s all I have for you right now. You can do this my loves!! As always, sending love to you and yours no matter where you are in this world. Keep calm and wash your hands.
In health with peace,
Caroline