My coronavirus diary–how our new reality began

It has been announced that Ohio is implementing one of the most aggressive coronavirus recommendations. We had just returned from trip to meet our newest grandson in New York City. Things were a bit different. We were traveling via subway and looking at people, wondering, hhmmmm, did they wash their hands? Are they sick, but the subways were busy and it was still the most logical and economical way to travel and most people were still doing it. New York is strong. That is what we kept hearing.

People were living their normal lives. We went out for a brunch at an Italian restaurant, filled but not overcrowded with afternoon patrons. But Monday morning, the day we were leaving, the circuit breaker tripped on the stock market and suddenly, new shows were focused on that in New York City. Stocks were plunging so for those who might not know what a circuit breaker is, it is when they stop trading for 15 minutes to help a disastrous selldown in the market. At the center of the financial district in the heart of New York city, investors are officially worried. Selfishly we are just happy to be leaving New York as the underlying messages from the news channels indicate there may be some changes afoot.

On the plane, which is mostly full, I take out my Norwex wipes and clean the seat back, tray table, the magazine pocket, the armrests and try to wipe the upholstery as well. Mark kinda chuckles.

we get home and the following day we learn that New York’s first confirmed cases of coronavirus have been announced. Whew, we made it out in time.

However, going back to work the following day, Mark has learned that his company is having a meeting about limiting travel. Two days later he gets an email stating that anyone who has been in a hotspot (Seattle or New York) is ordered to we’ll quarantine and work from home. Our new reality starts now!

Connected or Dis-connected?

Our phones can tell us how much time we spend on them and where we are spending it. Experts now are saying to take a break. I have a Google Pixel phone and in the settings I can find my “Digital Wellbeing” where I can find the amount of my screen time, install app timers and create bedtime schedules. In fact, I set my phone to minimize the amount of blue light, I can also use Wind Down to disconnect from my phone.

The first time I looked at my phone to discover how much time I spent on it, I was shocked. And disappointed in myself. We say we are so busy, but could it be we are spending time on social media and not being in the moment with our friends and family?

One change I am making is to remove the Facebook app from my phone. I do use Facebook and Instagram for reaching out to customers in my direct sales businesses, but I find myself scrolling too often. As I tracked some of the time I spent on social media, I pledge to use my computer and phone time in a more productive manner. So will you be my accountability partner? Help me me and let me know if you, too, want to scale back or take some time away from scrolling through apps.

Hello. Be Awesome!

I am over age 50, well, actually over age 60, and I have days when I still wonder who will I be when I grow up? And I run into other women too, who are reinventing themselves, tryingto figure out how to spend their retirement or semi-retirement and not wnating to just sit around and look at the world buzzing about from afar. We are a generation that has had careers, and want to continue to contribute in some way.

Are you watching your grandchildren? Starting a second career? Joining a direct sales company to get a discount on products and sell to a few friends. Maybe you are taking a class, learning something new and developing and redeveoping friendships.

I am a consummate researcher and have been writing in many aspects of my career so let me know what you would like to learn about. I know many experts and I know how to find things out so I would like tohelp you feel connected, safe, confident and happy.

Feel free to ask questions and suggest topics. I will delve into them and report back. Here I am just getting started. Let’s see where it goes.

The world is a lovely place. Let’s find some small , wonder, happy corners and share them.