March Update - This Is Fine. We're All Fine.

Well, damn. What a month it's been so far. We're all stressed out beyond belief, so please enjoy the many photos of small animals that I will include throughout the post.

As most of you probably are, I'm currently working from home. The manufacturing company that I work for hasn't officially closed, but we're on a skeleton staff. This was only announced this past Friday, when the HR manager returned from her cottage and came back to something that I imagine looked like this:

I have time to write, but I'm not really feeling like it. I feel like watching those terrible, saccharine Hallmark movies and stress baking.

And that's okay.

There's no bad reaction to what is going on in the world right now. This is the optimal time to be gentle with ourselves, but also to practice being gentle with each other.

I read somewhere (probably on The Pattern) that this is a time of unprecedented global tension that comes before a complete paradigm shift. A shift towards a better and kinder society.

I want this to be true. I want us all to come together as people. I want us to be able to stand up for what's right - and that includes a universal basic income for Canadians. I don't want to get super political here, but I think that if nothing else, this pandemic will serve as a reminder for why it's important to have well-funded single-payer health care. The doctors and nurses and other health care staff that are putting their own safety at risk so that we don't have to are heroes (just like the grocery workers, delivery drivers, and everyone else not able to #workfromhome because they perform an essential service).

So, please, try and remember to be kind to yourself and to everyone else during this time. Stay home, but stay connected. When you shop, take enough to stock your cupboards but leave enough for everyone else. Remember to wash your hands and keep your hands off your face (I struggle with the latter as well). Be patient with the cashiers at the grocery store - they're risking a lot for you. Be patient with your family. It's hard to be cooped up (though remember that you can still go out for walks provided you're symptom free and stay away from other people). Help your neighbours if you can, especially if you know that they're elderly or otherwise immunocompromised. Consider donating to a food bank if you can spare a few dollars.

And perhaps most importantly, be kind to yourself. Try not to panic. There's plenty of canned beans and toilet paper to go around. We're going to get through this, and we're going to come out stronger emotionally, with deeper bonds in our communities. That's the dream. That will be the reality.

I want to come out of this and build a better world. We already know how. We just need to take the leap and do it.

#marchupdate #stayathomechallenge #yafantasy #nafantasy #fantasy #faerie #fae #witchyvibes