March 22, 2020
I began sheltering in place last week, and after a few days of totally unstructured time without the framework of water aerobics classes and other activities to give shape to my days, I decided I needed a daily schedule or I would waste this gift of time. I had seen on Facebook schedules that parents were drawing up for their children, suddenly home with the closing of schools, and used those as my guide.
So here is the Daily Plan I put together for myself:
8 to 9 coffee and news
9 to 10 shower and dress. blow dry hair
10 to 12 morning project
12 to 1 lunch, walk
1 to 3 afternoon project
3 to 4 nap
4 to 4:30 dinner prep
4:30 to 5 glass of wine outside, weather permitting
5 to 7 dinner, swim (when pool opened)
7 to 9 evening project, weekdays
Netflix, etc (Sat-Sun)
9 to 10 Bedtime prep, play dulcimer
10 Bedtime
After about three days, here is the Revised Daily Plan:
7 am wake up, stagger to kitchen, give cats kibble
7:15 to 8 read terrible news on iPhone in bed
8 to 9 or 10 sleep with cat purring ecstatically on tummy
10 am stagger to kitchen, make coffee
10:15 to 11 drink coffee and read more terrible news, try to remember
when last showered
Maybe shower
11 to noon Do something productive
Noon Maybe get dressed…or maybe not
12:30 Eat something
1 to 3 Do something productive and/or read more terrible news
3 to 5 Sit outside, watch birds, drink wine, read terrible news
5 to 6 Eat something not requiring much cooking
6 to whenever Binge watch Netflix
??? brush teeth, wash face, go to bed
This is rather a challenging time, Kristin! Your days sound similar to mine. I really miss going to the gym, or just going out to a bookstore or even at this point being able to go to the grocery store. I’ve really been staying in alone. It’s just been a week. A week ago Sunday, we had planned to have a family birthday party for three of our birthday members, and canceled it at the last minute as we continue to hear the need to not be together. So that was disappointing, but it was the best choice.
Hang in there, Kristin, and we will both get through this successfully.
Thanks, Elaine. Yes, it is hard to lose the bit of structure that we have in retirement. Of course I have taken poetic license with the “real” daily plan, but have decided it is ok to go back to sleep in the morning, to be only somewhat productive (one or two things done? hoorah!) and not to expect too much of myself in these trying times…and so hard, as you say, not to have time with loved ones. Sending love and hugs, Kristin
This made me laugh, which was much needed. Stay safe!
Yes, I thought we all could use some laughter…plus a reality check!
I love your blog posts!
What a true and honest post here.
Basically the same as I’ve experienced with the kiddos as well 🙂
“Give yourself Grace.”
Alisa 🙂
“Give yourself grace”–a wonderful quote, thank you.
Kristin
Such a relief to read your post to the end. Made me feel so much less like a slug in this socially frozen world. It’s a struggle to be productive in the current environment. One must try to filter out the apocalyptic news and try to focus on each task. The trick being to find a task one can muster the energy to tackle! Everywhere I look here there are things to be done. I guess just trying to focus on one task at a time–as you did in your original plan–might at least result in there being something to show for this enforced time at home.
Thanks for posting. Look forward to further reports from your outpost!
Hello, Willow, glad this post resonated with you. As one of my friends said, we need to give ourselves grace. It is ok not to live up to our expectations of ourselves. Right now I am giving myself a pat on the back if I get one thing accomplished each day…and I record it in my daytimer. Do what calls to you, not what you think you should be doing…at least that works for me. “We are swimming to the other side.” Kristin