So how is everyone doing, really?

The main differences I find for myself compared to usual are:

• Inability to not seek information on covid as soon as I sit in front of a computer/pick up a phone. I PROBABLY know enough already. It's not doing anything. But I still read & check....
• Less patient. I usually don't get pissed at things (like spilling something, dropping something, stuff not working the way they should, etc.), but theses days noticeably more. I don't usually swear at an object.
• Harder to get motivated to do stuff, or to keep focused for some time. Except running, which is probably the only part in my life right now that's ~normal. But then the high from the run lasts 1 or 2 hours and then I'm back at the starting point.

It may not seem much to some. But on my personal scale of not right this is quite bad compared to usual...

Tim Stich wrote: All of you guys wishing for cats, just go and get one. I've had my tabby for four years now at least and he's been great. I used to be a big dog person, but a cat for someone living alone is much better. I no longer live alone, but my feline and I stick close together and share the bed most of the night. It's always reassuring looking into an animal's eyes, as they have no idea what chaos exists in the world if you are keeping them relatively safe from it. 

You don't have to tell me about cat love. We adopted two in 2000 (right after Ruby Tuesday, whom we took in off the street, died). Had to put Owl down in 2015 and Flip a little over a year ago, after a very rough year. I'm still sort of mourning and neither of us had been ready to start over, but now we're both starting to feel it.

Franck Vee wrote: The main differences I find for myself compared to usual are:

• Inability to not seek information on covid as soon as I sit in front of a computer/pick up a phone. I PROBABLY know enough already. It's not doing anything. But I still read & check....

Same here.

• Less patient. I usually don't get pissed at things (like spilling something, dropping something, stuff not working the way they should, etc.), but theses days noticeably more. I don't usually swear at an object.

This, too.

• Harder to get motivated to do stuff, or to keep focused for some time. Except running, which is probably the only part in my life right now that's ~normal. But then the high from the run lasts 1 or 2 hours and then I'm back at the starting point.

Same, except for the running - can't stand running. Instead it's the home ski fitness program and then the upper body climbing-specific routines.

BTW, ski fitness is all about core, balance, and endurance, not just leg strength. If anyone is tiring of their rock routine.......

wendy weiss wrote:

Me too. Looking at the Humane Society website. But also thinking cat food, kitty litter, vet visits. More reasons to have to shop.

Plus you might turn into a cat lady   

I have an antique tiger that my grandfather picked up from somewhere (no, he didn't kill it) that is nice to lay on, so that serves as my pet these days (and he doesn't jump on the counter)

I noticed I am a little more hyper and sharp on the internet (Hit my post limit the other day, which is hard to do as an Admin), but I think that is more to do with having to be super focused with the crazy fast moving market lately and having to spend more screen time prepping and watching things  to make sure I don't get smashed. When I do get time, I am lucky to have a yard with gardens and I can walk in the woods in back  so I can still be in nature, which is super important to me. Just to be able to sit outside while having a coffee, smell the air and see the plants coming up is very soothing and gets you out of the internet/ news head.

wendy weiss wrote:

You don't have to tell me about cat love. We adopted two in 2000 (right after Ruby Tuesday, whom we took in off the street, died). Had to put Owl down in 2015 and Flip a little over a year ago, after a very rough year. I'm still sort of mourning and neither of us had been ready to start over, but now we're both starting to feel it.
 

I know it's difficult to start over, but with shelters overflowing with cats, a few of them would really appreciate it. i plan to keep having cats for the rest of my life.

Franck Vee wrote: The main differences I find for myself compared to usual are:

• Inability to not seek information on covid as soon as I sit in front of a computer/pick up a phone. I PROBABLY know enough already. It's not doing anything. But I still read & check....
• Less patient. I usually don't get pissed at things (like spilling something, dropping something, stuff not working the way they should, etc.), but theses days noticeably more. I don't usually swear at an object.
• Harder to get motivated to do stuff, or to keep focused for some time. Except running, which is probably the only part in my life right now that's ~normal. But then the high from the run lasts 1 or 2 hours and then I'm back at the starting point.

It may not seem much to some. But on my personal scale of not right this is quite bad compared to usual...

My writing (all of it...dissertation, social media, emails...) has become riddled with typos. Subjective-verb agreement, errant apostrophes, missing words, flat-out wrong words.... I've  been stressed and had difficult times andin the past, but this has never happened before. It's a bit unsettling.

*Edit: case in point....

I'm in the last semester of my PhD.  Or at least, I was.  The inability to perform experiments in lab for an indefinite timeframe might prevent me from graduating on time.  I'm worried about getting a job after this blows over since the market has crashed.  

Usually when things get too stressful or I start feeling too bleak, I go climbing/skiing/hiking.  It's been my way of healing and managing stress since high school.  Can't do that anymore, so I've been reading a lot instead.   I feel like a squirrel trapped in a cage.

Etha Williams wrote:

My writing (all of it...dissertation, social media, emails...) has become riddled with typos. Subjective-verb agreement, errant apostrophes, missing words, flat-out wrong words.... I've  been stressed and had difficult times andin the past, but this has never happened before. It's a bit unsettling.

That is interesting. I have noticed the last few days I have had a harder time with word recall from the stress. I think I'll make some time for a baking day. I find doing something like that or gardening really helps

Mark Straub wrote:   I feel like a squirrel trapped in a cage.

Despite all your rage?

Yep, Another case in point for struggling with work, writing, and complex thoughts.

Gardening was really good, until the weather turned to shit around here. But I got my yard somewhat cleaned up, started seeds, and transplanted a few early greens into the greenhouse.  

Mike Lane wrote:

Despite all your rage?

Ha.  I think I'll go listen to the Smashing Pumpkins now, thanks.

Frustrated ...  I wonder if you would be as well ?... I live in Canada 2 miles away from a bridge into the USA and only 60 miles away from the big, mostly lonely and empty Northern Adirondacks, a safe place to continue climbing. The border is now closed so I'm stuck in Canada with almost no where to climb  ... and I'm not sure how much climbing I'll be doing later ....I'm a nurse expecting that it's going to be a busy summer.
 . ....

really weird times, but i guess that opens the door for doing a lot of interesting things...

been going on more long distance runs, focusing on my breathing and presence...

peace

I'm a restlessness wreck, hard to focus on productive more complex projects, cooking and baking alot, waiting for the snacks to run out, drinking more alcohol, resenting all sidewalks.  

The ADHD is running rampant, but I’m doing my best to funnel that energy into training so I make something productive out of all of this. I’m starting to feel stronger on the hangboard, which I think is one of the things keeping me from spiraling into a depression. That, and getting outside to run or walk every day. I’m quite stressed about school now as I’m graduating college this semester, and many of my classes don’t transition well to online format. That, and my job search is basically nix since I’ll be working in the performing arts industry, which is dark for the time being. I’m really just trying to keep my head up at this point, and focus on the day to day and the small things that I can change or improve.

ben jones wrote: really weird times, but i guess that opens the door for doing a lot of interesting things...

I really liked what Nina Caprez wrote on her Instagram: “What could I learn from this, that I could not learn any other way?”

I've been trying to use this thought as a starting point for reflection and journaling. So far I haven't written as much as I'd hoped to, but I'm at least ending each day with a few minutes of journaling instead of staring at screens. I think it helps.

In Québec, the government has shut down any non-essential services & businesses.

It is not strongly enforced by the police forces. They may ask people who do not respect the public health policy to leave, but there isn't necessarily a legal penalty, as far as I know. But still, in practice most things where shutting down today

In that list of essential services, they included the SQDC (Quebec's Cannabis Society), which is the government-run weed shop.

So essentially, Quebec just declared weed an essential service.

Mike Lane wrote:

Despite all your rage?

That’s not even close to the lyric

B P wrote:

That’s not even close to the lyric

It still worked. You made the connection too.

Mike Lane wrote:

It still worked. You made the connection too.

Yeah but it just made me rage