SOL20 day 28 - I'm Joining the Spring Fling!

Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 -- Day 28
March 28, 2020
"I'm Joining the Spring Fling!"
*************************************************************

On March 20, Leigh Anne Eck invited all Slicers to a Spring Fling, so that we could have some fun -- badly needed during this stressful pandemic -- and share some self-care tips -- also badly needed during this stressful pandemic! If you would like to read Leigh Anne's post (I would highly recommend it!), you can go here to see it:   Spring Fling Invitation 

So, with only 3 days left in the March challenge this year, I am finally joining the party! Better late then never, right?  ;-)

I am envisioning all of us party-goers at a rustic cabin which is perched near the edge of the side of a small mountain. We are sitting outside in the cabin's sunny front yard, enjoying BYOB beverages while lounging in comfy lawn chairs. On the sides of the cabin, as well as behind it, is a shady forest full of oak, maple, and pine trees. (There are other kinds of trees in the forest, too, but I'm not a tree expert, so I don't know what they all are.) At the front edge of the front yard is a wooden rail fence which protects people from falling down the steep drop-off of the mountain. 

From our vantage point, we can look over the fence to see a large lake in the valley at the bottom of the mountain. The lake, with its crystal blue waters, spreads off into the distance and is surrounded by other small mountains. There are a few boats on the lake: small motorboats leaving rippling wakes behind them. The people in the boats are tiny blobs of various colors, too far away to recognize as people, although we know they are.

The mountains at which we gaze are tree-covered, with just a few homes and cabins barely visible through the trees here and there. Above the mountains is a deep blue sky, dotted occasionally by a few wispy white clouds. A large bird -- an eagle, perhaps? -- soars in the sky above one of the mountains.

It is here in this environment that we are relaxing and enjoying the beauty of nature, our laughter and easy conversations wafting across the yard. We are talking about life, our families, our jobs and hobbies, our hopes and dreams, and anything else that comes to our minds. We are sharing our self-care tips...which is the reason we came in the first place. I listen to many good ideas about how we can take care of ourselves during this difficult time, and finally, I share mine:


1. Make a schedule for each day. Your schedule doesn't have to be written in stone, because we all know that things happen every day that we don't plan for. Just use your schedule as a guideline to help you accomplish the most important things you need to do each day.

2. Find time every day to do something you enjoy. You may have other family members and pets that you need to take care of, as well as yourself. You may be planning lessons for your students, participating in virtual meetings, and teaching online. You probably have household obligations -- doing laundry, cooking dinners, cleaning, etc. You might feel as if you are being stretched to the limits to do what you need to do for everyone else. Even if it's only for a brief few minutes every day, don't forget to allow yourself time to de-stress and enjoy an activity that YOU choose to do.

3. Make at least a little time every day for some type of physical activity. Go outside if you have a chance, and get some fresh air. Walk the dog, play with the kids, do yard work, enjoy a leisurely stroll, go for a run. If you'd rather stay indoors... do some yoga, ride a stationary bike, lift some weights, jog around the house. Most of us are being much more sedentary than usual, thanks to all the current restrictions and closings, and that isn't good for our health. Be sure to schedule some activity into your day to remind yourself to move!


Now, with my self-care tips being shared, I plan to stay at the mountain cabin and continue enjoying the company of my fellow Slicers for a while. Some of you might need to head for home soon. Not me. I'm going to linger.




:-)
***************************************************************
JudyK   March 28, 2020