The world has changed a lot since I last updated this site. Effective yesterday, the state of Michigan ordered a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” rule. We can leave our homes for medical needs, essential groceries, and some forms of exercise (walking, hiking, biking as long as you maintain the proper six feet apart). Since I work in retail, my nonessential business was closed and I find myself home for the next three weeks.
I fully realize my privilege in saying that so far my life has been mostly unaffected by this. I don’t have to worry about trying to work from home, I don’t have children home with me that I’m trying to care for on top of everything else, and I already had a fair supply of food and necessities at home before this began. My biggest concerns are my parents staying safe and they are now both at home as well so hopefully, they will be okay.
I wish I knew the right things to say. I know a lot of us, myself included, struggle with mental health issues in good times, and these times being far from good, are really pushing us to our limits and beyond. I’m trying to build a new normal for myself in all of this so I can have a baseline, but I’d be lying if I said I knew what that is yet.
There are a lot of celebrities and other online resources that are going live on their social media accounts almost daily. There are musicians hosting live concerts from their living rooms. People are coming forward and coming together in new and fun ways. We will get through this.
I’m going to leave now. But check in on your favorite local business and see how they’re doing. Are they still open? Can you buy a gift card to support them while still keeping everyone safe? Check on your favorite musician, especially the gig workers and the independent ones. Are they offering live-streamed concerts where you can chip in a few dollars to their PayPal or Venmo? If not, do they have merchandise available for purchase online?
I know a lot of authors had book releases recently and their book tours have been canceled or at least postponed. Check on them. Maybe buy the digital copy of their book if you can. I know one of my favorite bloggers and authors, Anne Bogel, has taken it upon herself to set up a virtual book tour for herself and several other authors to give them a platform to speak about their new books. Check it out here at Stay at Home Book Tour.
So there you have it. My days are all over the place right now, but I’m trying to get into a routine. My main focus has been trying to support as many local businesses and creative persons as I can. I hope you are all well and continue to be so. Take care of yourselves and each other. And stay home.
