I’m reluctant to suggest there are positive outcomes during a global pandemic. My heart shutters for those affected. I wish everyone safety and wellness.

I write from my home, safe and snuggled with my husband, but far from my kids and grandkids. I yearn to hug them.

And even though much of my family and friends live close, some only blocks away, I don’t see them. The best way I can love them is to just stay home.

But I’m focusing on finding some positive things.

Here are 9 positive things I’ve experienced during the pandemic.

I wrote about the diversity of life in my backyard before, but now my senses are keener; my wonder gauge ramped up. I no longer need to go somewhere.

I realize what I have is actually quite extraordinary. The grass isn’t greener somewhere else.

Try this: look up. The sky is limitless and beautiful and profound. We all have the greatest view. In my yard, I have a tree canopy where bees dart about and birds boogie to nature’s music. The breeze sets the tone. It’s never been lovelier. The pandemic forced me to notice and appreciate even more what I already have, literally, in my backyard.

Working from home means less commute time for my family who work. Their work-from-home schedules are also now flexible. And that means it’s not only easier to connect, I actually get more chat time.

Of course, it’s not the same as meeting in person. I miss those great big bear hugs from my boys, one of the things I long for the most. I now realize they help fuel my existence. But, we check in more often and have more in-depth conversations. We share music, discuss art, debate the world’s pressing issues and just connect more. Time with our kids—no matter their age—is priceless. I’m thrilled that the internet is there for us.

Using Facetime or Discord, we hold art nights more virtually during the pandemic than we did in-person before. This might not make sense since the internet was available before the pandemic, but it’s a by-product of the times. And that means we engage more and practice our art more, too.

More family time? More shared art time? I’ll take it.

Below, I share art I created during a recent family Art Night from my subscription to Let’s Make Art. This piece comes from one of the Art Journaling boxes, multimedia art designed for self expression. Read about my other adventures and art with Let’s Make Art.

 

Who knew I could cut my own hair? I certainly didn’t.

I’m particular, vain even, about my hair. I make my haircut appointments one year in advance to ensure it gets styled exactly every four weeks. I even schedule my vacations around those appointments. The pandemic and shelter-in-place forced me to color and cut my own hair for months now.

I only needed these scissors, my color formula from my stylist, and gumption.

I get to snip away—a little here and there—whenever, and it looks great. I even found this cool tool, a Conair Shape Hair Trimmer that helps me trim the bottom, over my ears, and the nape of my neck. It’s currently in high demand since many hairstyling and barbershop businesses are closed. Here’s a Conair Shape Hair Timmer pack of two as another option (buy one for you and give the other to a friend). You can’t go wrong with this tool, which I’ve deemed the 8th wonder of the World. You simply brush your hair with it and voilà! I don’t know how it works. It’s magic.

 

And that’s a positive thing for both of us. We are retired, but we still fish together more than ever now. Ron’s favorite thing in the whole world is me fishing by his side. I’m not really a fisherwoman; I don’t contribute to the catch like his fishing buddies, but I am an apt first mate.

Getting out on the San Francisco Bay in the wee hours of the morning lifts our spirits and sets our attitudes grateful.

There’s nothing like a sunrise to remind you that no matter what, the sun will rise.

There’s so much comfort in that.

 

My book reading is finally surpassing my book buying. Someday is now.

I just finished Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. It proved worthy of the hype and awards and cements the brilliance of the adapted movie. It’s brilliantly written—sure—a masterpiece (it’s on your Someday list, right?), but the memoir of Frank growing up poor in Ireland illustrates that no matter the tragedy, no matter the harshness, no matter the unfairness, as adults, we can create our own happy life. We are responsible for our grown-up life, no matter our growing-up circumstances.

That’s a sound message for uncertain times.

One positive thing during this pandemic is that books are available. I’ve learned to appreciate my books more than ever and vow to not leave them neglected.

I really do have places to go and things to discover, but through stories.

Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are.

—Mason Cooley

Need some inspiration? Check out this list from Goodreads: Best Books Ever

I never made time to paint until the pandemic pushed me to. Boredom is an apt catalyst. It proved a soul-reaching experience; an exercise in creativity. If there’s one thing to relax you, this is it. I also gained confidence in trying something new.

At first, painting overwhelmed me. I found it hard to start. But the tutorials and the wonderful art boxes I subscribed to made all the difference. I’m a bit flustered with myself that I never even tried before now.

I’ve learned in the pandemic that people need interaction with other people. And when you’re isolated at home, who better to connect with—at a safe distance, of course—than your neighbors? I’ve been neighbors with my neighbors for many years. But now, with everyone home, I’ve connected with them more.

My neighbor Cathy and I exchange fresh-caught fish for baked delicacies (her mini fresh peach cobblers are simply delectable!). We keep each other informed about needed supplies (remember when toilet paper was hard to find? And then eggs?) and ensure each other is well.

I mean, what are neighbors for if not to look out for one another?

I’ve also become good friends with my mailman, Juan. My increase in online purchases surely served as a catalyst, but it’s wonderful to say hello and wish greetings to such a happy, hardworking guy on a daily basis. He’s busier than ever with the overall increase in packages to be delivered, but he maintains his cheerfulness and has nary a complaint.

Juan’s positivity breeds positivity. Much like this rainbow.

 

Times may have lulled us into a bit of sadness, but by gosh, we won’t dress like it!

After all, how we dress is art, a creative statement. Is it not?

Now, more than ever, I’ve tried new styles, new designers, and laid my trust to stylists who only know me through my online style questionnaires. Just because I can’t hunt for clothes in brick-and-mortar stores, doesn’t mean I can’t carry on with new and fun clothes.

I wrote about getting savings and shopping online in my last post, and I’m having so much fun as the outfits roll in. I’ve tried new boxes since that post. In all, I’ve received boxes from StitchFix, Wantable, ThredUp, and Front Door Fashion.

I’ve adopted new brands and am embracing new designers and new styles. I’ve learned to keep an open mind.

Surely, that’s a positive thing.

What positive things have you experienced during the pandemic?

I trust that you are well.

Be safe. Be well. Stay positive.

XOXO