The world has certainly changed a lot since I last updated my blog. Initially, I was going to take a short break at the beginning of the year to regroup. 2019 was an action-packed year for me and I wanted to “get right” for 2020. Then COVID-19 hit and things haven’t been the same since…

I wondered what role fashion plays during a time like this. Is it tone-deaf to talk about style and fashion while people are getting sick and dying at astronomical rates? First responders, essential workers, and medical professionals are putting it all on the line, the world is in a state of chaos, and I wondered how fashion fits into the equation.

And then I heard that Christian Siriano and his team were sewing masks, and other designers were making gowns to help the medical community. GENIUS! I was happy to see the fashion community getting involved during this time of crisis.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to work from home, but that doesn’t come without its challenges. In addition to working, I’ve become a full time teacher to my young daughter, as well as a full time cook. I fell into the routine of wearing pajamas all day, not wearing makeup…and I haven’t gotten a haircut in months.

One day I got tired of seeing myself look a complete mess and decided to dig into my cosmetics bag and get a little glammed up. During the process, I found myself humming and my spirits were lifted. It felt good to see a more put together version of myself.

Putting on makeup was such a small thing, but it made me feel better.

So many of us are dealing with a lot and it’s important that we find ways to deal with any stress we're feeling. I put together a short list of things that I’ve been doing to bring a little joy to my life, and you may want to add some of these to your routine, if you haven’t already.

A walk on the beach can be calming and therapeutic.

Adjust your expectations. It would be great if we were able to juggle working from home, homeschooling, caregiving, and all of our other responsibilities flawlessly. However, that isn’t a realistic expectation considering that the majority of us have never dealt with anything like this in our lifetimes. Cut yourself some slack and accept the fact that everything will not be perfect. Do the best you can!
Pay Mother Nature a visit—in socially distant ways, of course. I take walks in my neighborhood where there are beautiful trees, grass fields, small bodies of water, and beautiful scenery. It has a really calming effect on me.
Do things to help others. Donate to a cause, help a neighbor, or leverage any special skills you have to fill a need. Helping others can redirect your energy and shift your focus to something positive.
Engage in activities that make you feel good. Applying makeup made me feel better about myself. Although I have nowhere to go, I have been doing that a little more frequently—just because. Make sure you incorporate anything that renews your spirit into your daily routine.

Protect your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being at all costs!

Thank you for reading!

How quickly things change...