Gratitude during COVID times
Let’s face it, it’s hard to be positive right now. Everything is stressful —the upcoming election, the rise in COVID cases everywhere, and the uncertainty about the future. Times are hard for all of us.
The past weeks have been really hard for me. I was laid off from my full-time job a few months ago, as many people right now have been. I’ve been actively applying and interviewing, but it’s a tough job market right now. I am lucky to have been able to pass on some offers because the salary was too low or it didn’t feel like the company was the right fit, but I’ve also been a finalist for a couple of positions that I didn’t get and rejection is hard. I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that things will work out, but I do put a lot of my self-worth into work so it’s hard not to feel deflated at times.
It’s also particularly hard this week because my partner, Lou, and I have had to change some plans we were looking forward to. Pre-pandemic we had booked a trip to London and months ago had to make the decision to postpone that trip. It breaks my heart a little every time I look at the travel books on our nightstand. We switched gears and a couple of months ago booked a trip to Ohio to visit my sister, her husband, and our nine-month-old niece. I haven’t seen my sister since February, which is the longest stretch we’ve ever gone without seeing each other. Since cases are on the rise in Ohio and we have quarantine rules if you travel outside of New York, we had to decide to cancel that trip as well.
Everything is hard right now, but I have to remind myself how incredibly lucky I am. I have a partner, friends, and family who love and support me. I have a fuzzy little bunny rabbit whom I adore. I have money in the bank, access to healthy and delicious food, shelter, and even if I can’t travel right now, I live in the greatest city in the world.
I’ve started listing and taking photos of things that I’m grateful for every day to remind myself that although this time in all of our lives is challenging, I’ve got a lot in my life to be thankful for.
What are you grateful for?
