A Week in the Country, Week Seven in the Time of Transition

It’s heading towards dusk this Saturday evening. We’ve left the city for a short stay in the Catskills. The air Is fresh, the bird songs ever present. Our arrival was greeted by running ground hogs. On my walk of the vast property, I saw a leaping buck, ducks, yellow, blue and black with red birds. It feels good to have left the endless concrete for greener pastures. I love New York City and have no desire to reside anywhere that requires driving to get from one spot to another. Though taking a road trip is a nice change of pace.

This time of transition has been a bit overstimulating. I may not be doing the same amount as I had pre-pandemic, but my mind is swimming in new choices. And I’m not alone in that. That is why this time away from my everyday environment is so helpful. I may still be overthinking new possibilities, but I am doing it from afar. In this regard, I am not also looking at every corner seeing something I have yet to do or didn’t even know needed doing.

I am processing and resting in turns. Finishing this after a night’s sleep, this morning is foggy. I had wanted a colorful sunrise, but instead was left with a misty grey. Soothing rather than exciting. Tomorrow rain is upon us. It will literally dampen our plans for hiking. Instead, I may cook, do some yoga, and write. Ease rather than activity. I am not always a go with the flow kind of gal. I like to have plans, mapping out a way to accomplish them. But these two days away give me the opportunity to move away from old habits and adapt to my surroundings. A new lesson in the transition.

Self-Care Tips:

· Slow down. Take yourself out of the clipped pace of your every day and see what that space provides

· Create something out of leftovers. Give yourself a new take on an old dish.

· Write a list of what you want to maintain from the lock-down, and come up with ways in which you can institute them as things continue to open up.

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