Looking for the Silver Linings in a New World

Adaptability as an idea is very interesting to me. It constantly amazes me how easily animals adapt to new surroundings (as soon as two days, really). People always say that their pets, dogs and cats alike, often adapt quickly to new situations like moving or a new baby. Even, children adapt way faster than grownups. Why?

Trying to find the good in things

This new pandemic world is way different than anything we have ever experienced in our entire lives, in our entire histories as a human race (well, maybe one another time sounds familiar). And it always surprises me that, even though we’ve been going through this for months now, people haven’t adapted, let alone tried to find the good side of things. Now, please don’t get me wrong: I know the devastation that is happening outside my four walls. I understand things are bad but, under my control, I can choose to see some of the good things, too.

Adapting to a new situation

I gave up one of my jobs because I did not feel safe going into schools or being around people. Thankfully, there are some (not a lot) but some virtual options for me. The kids I teach are amazing. They are so mature, easy-going, and ADAPTABLE.

We frequently talk about virtual learning and how our lives have changed, but not once have I heard one of them complain about it. I am sure they are not happy with the circumstances. They miss their friends, they miss their school, and they miss their teachers. But they are aware and they are okay with what they must do to keep themselves and their peers safe.

RA has helped me adapt a little easier

Otherwise, nothing really changed for me. I have written about how my RA made me better equipped to handle the pandemic than the average person. I’ve even written about adaptability in the same context. But, the more I think about it, not only did my RA help me adapt to this new situation a little easier, but I was able to see some good things in the gloom.

Seeing the good things

Well, first, I went back to school. My classes are all virtual so I can take them safely from home. Second, I can stay home and spend every waking moment with my pack. My girls are getting older and I don’t know how much time I have left with them.

Third, I saved a massive amount of money by not buying gas for the car, eating out, or coffee. I still get the occasional cup of coffee and I buy a ton of snack food that I shouldn’t eat. But given that I go out way less than before, those things have also diminished.

There is less prep time for well, everything. I don’t have to worry to pull on decent pants, or put on makeup or even brush my hair. Do you know how many spoons I save not doing those things? I don’t even shower every day now. If I stay home and do absolutely nothing, is it necessary to shower every single day? I say no, especially since showering takes up dexterity and energy I don’t have.

I can make a cup of coffee just minutes before a class starts. I don’t have to prepare for lunch and just make it right before. There is no commute, there is no traffic, and there are no annoying long lines at the grocery store.

Doing the best that I can

RA is a difficult disease. Things changed drastically for me after I was diagnosed. Things were hard. I was devastated. I wondered how I would live with a disease like this but, the more I lived with it, the easier it got. I even found some silver linings mixed in with all the coal.

The pandemic is another “RA”, for lack of a better term. I have to navigate it the best that I can and hopefully, in time, find the good things that came out of it.