One of the things I have missed most during COVID and being sheltered at home has been dining out. It was a way of seeing my friends and socializing. When my family came to visit, trying new restaurants or visiting old faves was a big part of our plans. Or those times after a long day, it was a way of unwinding. Instead of making dinner, saying, "let's go out to eat" as a treat. With COVID, all that has changed. Everything closed down, including our beloved restaurants. Other than essential workers, we were at home with no place to go except shopping for food or essentials. This created stress for everyone on so many levels:
Not being able to get together with our friends. Many of us discovered we are social beings.
Not having a change of scenery. For months. Most of us like variety.
Having to change our routines, whether we wanted to or not. We like our routines and don't like to change.
For those working from home, trying to balance working remotely, often with others around who are working or not working, and the rest of life, including preparing meals.
Not moving as much. Getting up and going out is a form of exercise!
This has certainly been true for me. I was not used to spending so much time at home and honestly, preparing meals three times a day plus clean up. Everyday. While working. But an interesting thing happened, as I started to use my kitchen more and slowly accept the change, I became aware of the flow and how to use better and care for it. I even realized I like to cook and have become more in tune with what's in season -- something I always wanted. I paid attention to the rhythm of my day and week and, based on that, now plan where to shop. I even started ordering some things online rather than going out, something I never did. Whether I knew it or not, I was adapting to what is instead of hanging on to what used to be or what I wanted it to be. Feng Shui is about many things, but especially about creating balance and flow in your space and life. When I work with people, one of the first things I ask is, tell me about a day in your life and your flow. At certain times, we all need to adjust to and create alignment with who and where we are today to create balance and flow in ourselves and our homes. One of the many benefits is we can slow down and do some of the things we have always wanted to do but didn't have the time or space to do. Even do that project we've been putting off. For me, it has been tending to our garden. In addition to flowers, we are growing herbs and vegetables, like lavender, basil, rosemary, cilantro, sage, thyme, tomatoes, basil, and zucchini. Recently, I started to think about painting again, especially flowers. Funnily, as I've adapted to life as it is, I've started to feel the joy in little things again and feel moments of true peace and abundance. And even though restaurants are starting to open and people are beginning to gather and socialize, hopefully wearing masks and practicing social distancing, I am content for now to not jump in.
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I would love to hear how you are adapting to the change and what you are discovering for yourself. #EverydayFengShui. It's all right here.
With love and blessings, Kate
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