Be. Here. Now.

By Amy Stewart, LMFT, CST

The researcher part of me has been fascinated by the weekly up close and personal dip into so many folks’ lives as we’ve all similarly muddled our way through this uncharted territory. The highs and lows have very much been shared. And, over the past few weeks we have collectively hit a point where we’re lamenting the coming of fall and sliding right into the memory of last winter. This is completely valid anticipation of the cabin fever of last year AND it’s so easy to disappear into that negative spiral and get lost in the way it might be AND…

…we’re not there yet. 

Remember to be here now, to practice gratitude for the moment we are in without immediately erasing it with fears about what’s next. We all too often effortlessly find ourselves slipping into the future, “It’s so gorgeous working from the porch today, it’s going to be awful being stuck inside all winter.” Change it ever so slightly to, “It’s so gorgeous working from the porch today, I’m so grateful for this moment.” 

The end. You and the moment. 

And remember to take your moments. To go outside. To find an appropriately spaced slice of grass and sit in the sunshine, to go for a walk in the breeze. To indulge in socially distanced park hangs. To grab your now-ubiquitous mini cooler and blanket combo and head out into the world. 

It is going to get cold again, it is likely going to remain unsafe to socialize indoors for any extended period of time, and that time is not. yet. Continue to take care of yourself and if you need to curl up in bed with the Great British Sewing Bee (this is a thing, I am a fan) by all means do so. But don’t forget to check in with yourself about whether you’d rather go for a walk or sit on your stoop while you still can.