It’s a strange time of our lives – self isolating, social distancing, and lock downs across the world. It took a bit for it to really sink in what our new normal is going to be for who knows how long. I have found this time to be confusing, frustrating, and scary, but it has also allowed me to reflect and be thankful for all that I have.
I’ve felt frustrated and sad being unable to get into the mountains. To de stress I take alone time in nature which I can no longer do.
Frustrated that I cannot work on one of my most important goals – learning to trad climb. I have a trip booked to go to Yosemite in September 2020 and I want to be leading 5.9 trad by August. But I cannot accomplish this if I can’t get outside and climb real rock.
I finally got onto the medical team for Expedition Oregon but the event has been cancelled.
I can’t have dinner with my parents and my boyfriend because of social distancing.
At a time like this, it can be easy to focus on all that we have to give up. All the difficult changes. All the loss across the world.
But we can take a different approach to the situation and look at all that we have. And create new habits and new goals.
We can change our thoughts, feelings and therefore change our energy. And when you change your energy you attract more positivity into your life.
Take this time to reflect on your beliefs. How are you interpreting the COVID19 situation? Do you believe it’s the end of the world? Or a time where we are all working together to prevent the spread and take care of each other?
You can change how you feel about the situation by changing your beliefs.
As well as looking at what you are gaining rather than what you are losing.
I have gained more time for other activities – reflecting, reading, meditating, learning, laughing, dancing, singing, playing, running in the yard, exercising, new skills, and so on!
I have had more free time to share love with my boyfriend and his son.
I have gained so much. And I am learning new ways to de stress. It used to be time in nature, the backcountry or the mountains. Now I go to the yard stick my feet and hands in the ground and breathe. And I am actually really grateful for this because I have found that I can let go of unwanted feelings much easier now because I can do so in my own yard rather than having to get away to a trail.
We are lucky here that this is happening during spring. The weather is getting warmer and the birds are out. Take advantage of the sun. Get outside, sit in the sun and breathe. I promise you it will help. You will feel better and more connected to yourself.
A pandemic can be difficult and scary, but it’s also a beautiful opportunity to be with yourself. Reflect on who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to do with your life. You can be and do anything. It’s all determined by what you BELIEVE. If you believe you can, then you will. And I believe in you. I believe anyone can start over. Anyone can change. You just gotta believe in yourself.
Start small. Envision the life you want, the big goals. Then think of some small action steps that would get you even a bit closer to where you want to be.
I could be frustrated that I can’t get into the mountains and become the Mountain Medic that I want to be. BUT, I can still work towards this goal. I am doing an online Avalanche Safety course. I am reading about crack climbing. I am enhancing my medical skills through practicing assessments on my family and reading my pathophysiology textbook. I am practicing my rope skills and gear placements in pieces of wood instead of rock. I am getting strong for the mountains by strength training and practicing climbing movements on the indoor bouldering wall. The climbing gym closed so my partner and I made a bouldering wall and a pull up/hang board in the closest. If you feel like you can no longer do something because of the COVID19 changes, get creative and find another way to do what you want.
Also, being able to climb real rock is a luxury. It’s not something that I have a right to. Nature is a gift that we get to share on this earth. I am lucky I can drive to some crags and be in the Adirondack Mountains within 8 hours. But that is a luxury. Its not a real problem that I cannot access the mountains during this time of COVID19. Real problems would be lack of food, clean drinking water and the deaths that are occurring around the world.
It’s up to you how you spend this time. Take advantage of all you have gained rather than what we have lost.
Sending love to everyone. I am grateful I get to start in the Emergency Department next week. I have never felt so fortunate to be able to work. COVID19 has encouraged me to feel extremely grateful for all that I can do and all that I have.
Peace and love,
Kirsten
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