Have you been struggling the last few weeks on establishing a new normal? The Coronavirus has turned our world upside down and many of us are searching for an anchor. It feels a little like Bill Murray’s Groundhog’s Day. Wake up. Make breakfast. Manage workload. Tutor kid. Make dinner. Walk the dog. Watch TV. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. 

How can we create days and weeks that allow us to be mom, caretaker, wife, and career woman while at the same time feeling like you’ve accomplished something? Here are 4 lessons and tools I am using that helped me go from disoriented to chill.

Lesson 1: Chill Out

It’s easy to get caught up in the drama of the outbreak. Between social media, the news, and Zoom calls with friends I found myself worrying more and allowing fear to dictate my actions. At some point I had enough and realized I wanted to focus on what I can control, help my community where I can, and surround myself with people that inspire me and fill my mind with positive vibes. 

Tools That Are Helping Me Chill Out:

1. Stop watching the news

2. Limit my social media time

3. Practice acceptance. This means accepting my situation for what it is. This allows me in to find more peace with the stuff that is out of my control. (See my blog How to Live with More Joy in Your Life for more on this topic.)

4. Listen to podcasts such as Brene Brown, The Life Coach School, & Supersoul Conversations,

5. Walks/Runs

Lesson 2: Time with My Family is a Gift

I have two teen boys. Both are more interested in TikTok and SnapChat than hanging with their family. Since our social distancing started we’ve been on hikes, family walks, and have set a two hour block each day for family time. We’re around each other all the time and I know that soon enough time like this won’t exist. 

Tools To Help Honor Family Time:

1. Create intentional family time & demand their presence

2. We watch TicTok together as part of our night time routine

3. Play rounds of H.O.R.S.E 

4. Do yard work as a family

Lesson 3: The Power of a Schedule

The first week all of us were home together was a disaster. As parents we were frustrated with managing our boys, we were fighting, and none of us felt like we were getting anything done. Once we introduced a schedule our lives changed. The kids' helped make their schedule which included school time, exercise, family time, chores, and down time (aka xbox time).  A bonus is we don’t feel like we are fighting screens. 

Tools for Scheduling:

1. Make a schedule, post it, and reference it daily until they know what to expect

2. Pinterest has some good ones for a reference. 

3. Make a personal schedule for yourself

Lesson 4: I Have A Lot To Learn

This experience has flipped our lives upside down. I don’t in any way want to dismiss the horrible things happening around the world. I know people are dying, moms are having to decide who eats in an effort to feed their families, and people have lost their jobs. What I am learning is the power of the human spirit.  This is seen in the health care workers like my sister risking their lives to help others. The cafeteria workers now feeding thousands of families a day in our community. The restaurant owners donating proceeds to their workers. We’re all trying our best to survive this pandemic. It’s from these amazing people that I am learning so many positive things about the human spirit. 

Tools for Reflection:

1. Be open to what the universe wants to teach you. 

2. Support your community and find ways to help if you can. 

3. Listen to respected spiritual leaders who share a message of hope and love.

We talked about 4 lessons I’ve learned to help me go from disoriented mom to chill mom over the past few weeks and my hope is you benefit from these lessons too. If you are looking for a way to develop more resilience and live with less stress I want to help you. Book a free 30 minute Discovery Call today for an opportunity to discover how you can go from disoriented mom to chill mom.