One Year Into A New Normal

Mirralle Bennet, MHRM 

Self-Care & Wellness Associate

It has been a year since the global Pandemic forever changed our lives. The daily normal is not what it was in March 2019. Some words and phrases that came with a new normal Social Distancing, Essential worker, working from home, home schooling, and a host of others. How are you doing with this new life that we are in? Have you checked in on yourself? Have you been kind and gentle with yourself? Have you taken time to recharge? 

​One word that has kept me going through this new life is gratitude: Taking time to appreciate the small things in life. In self-care, it is important to take a moment of gratitude for the things that you are thankful for, family, friends, your job, health, your home.
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The word essential has a new meaning for me. It is about creating a life with only the things that are absolutely necessary. In self-care this has been the in the moment check in with myself. How I am feeling? What do I need this moment to care for what I am feeling? This can be something simple like opening the door and getting some fresh air for a few minutes, or walking away from the computer, making a cup of tea, getting a snack. Take time, in that moment to be present with yourself.

How have you adjusted to the new normal? Reflecting on the things that have changed, what are you struggling with? What are activities that have helped you cope and make it through the tough days? I have a jar that I put down all the self-care tips that I have come up with. And in a moment when I am at a loss for creativity I go to the jar and pull out something and just go with it.

The new normal for me has been doing away with set schedules and planning. I now take the moments as they come and go with it as well as checking in with myself daily. I also pour into the space that needs love for the day. Honestly, the plan for most days was just to make it through. Now it is about being present in the moment, going with what I am feeling and caring for that feeling.

Have you been kind and gentle with yourself? There is no right or wrong way. There is a way that works for you and is best for you. Be kind and gentle with yourself, take care of your needs, be self-full. It is easy to forget when we are stressed and overwhelmed.

​One thing that I have started doing to help with not getting overwhelmed with tasks is the brain dump. In the mornings I dump out all the things in my head that I must get done that day. I put them in categories:  what has to get done, what can wait, what is not absolutely necessary, and what belongs to others. Then, I work through them. It also helps me to not feel guilty if something doesn’t get done. There simply was no room on the plate for it.

Lastly, I take time to recharge. Pre-pandemic this looked like a trip somewhere, a weekend away. Now not so much, but it is still essential for self-care. This can be taking some time off work to do something that you enjoy, take time to disconnect and shower yourself with the things that bring you joy. Buy yourself some flowers. One of my favorites that adds self-care every day is a bunch of eucalyptus in the shower. It is like a mini steam room.

You are doing amazing, you have so much to be thankful, do not be hard on yourself.

A special thank you to all the front-line workers, essential workers, grocery store workers, mail delivery services, you are all appreciated for all your sacrifices over the last 12 months. 

​Mirralle Bennet, MHRM 

I am a small home business Owner of Global Threads Quilting. Professionally I am in the U.S Coast Guard Reserve, full time I am a civilian for the Army, Logistics Specialist. Both jobs keep me on the go a lot and can be draining at times. In 2017 I got divorced right before an overseas deployment, I had no idea the toll this took on my mental health. I threw myself into work and being there to support shipmates, without taking the time I needed for myself. In a few short months I lost my voice and was forced to take the time I needed to recover. Which brought me to self-care and the importance of taking care of my mental, physical and emotional health. Being away from home and not having my usual outlet, of quilting was difficult, but I had to adjust and learn new ways to care for myself in the most stressful times, listening to my body, and giving it what it needed. I’m excited to share on the go self-care tips with you lovely ladies. Instagram: @Justmirralle_