Typically I love living by myself. Just me, my cat, and everything exactly how I like it. It’s peaceful, it’s quiet, and there’s no one to fight with over the remote. But right now we are all living in this new temporary reality, “Shelter in place.” The hope is that if we can all stay home we can save lives by containing the virus that has caused a global pandemic. We all understand the importance of stopping the spread and those that don’t have lost their choice as government mandates and executive orders have been enacted to ensure that we can “flatten the curve.” But for me and for all those that live by themselves this has taken what has always been my safe haven, my inner sanctum of peace and serenity and has now turned into mandatory solitary confinement. 

The first week was almost comical- getting to work from home in my pajamas, eating whatever I wanted and staying up too late watching Tiger King, but after that first-week restlessness started to settle in. The house was too quiet no matter how loud I played music or turned the TV up. I started having conversations with my cat just to be able to use my voice (she was entertained at first but now is ready for me to leave her alone). Pajamas all day while seemed fun at first now just seems depressing. 

So, I started the house projects that I had been putting off for quite a while- getting some painting done, pulling weeds in the garden, re-organizing my closet and pulling clothes that can be donated. But eventually, you run out of things that you can do. I’ve rearranged my living room furniture twice, started one of the many “at home workout videos” that are circulating during this strange new age, and even committed to finishing a blanket I started crocheting but still, time seems to pass so slowly. While I can think I have it bad I can’t imagine the pressure that parents are experiencing now being forced into a homeschooling reality, especially those with multiple school-aged kids and working from home full time. I can’t fathom how those that are deemed “essential” are handling the stress of potentially being exposed and bringing this virus home to their families. I don’t know the same anxiety that those that work in restaurants or are self- employed are feeling as this indefinite shut down has no end in sight. I don’t have the same tension building in my home as personalities are locked in and relationships are put under a microscope. 

What I’m getting at is – we are all struggling. Whether it’s from the anxiety of how you are going to pay your bills next month, how you are going to teach your kid this newest math problem, how you are going to possibly go into labor and deliver when the hospitals might be the most dangerous place to be, or whatever your situation might be. Right now there is no one that isn’t affected by this. We are more than a month into this new world and no one can tell us when this might subside. We need to all be more intentional with those around us, not letting this “six feet apart” social distancing turn into forgetting that our neighbors, our friends, our families need just as much connection and community as we are fighting for. That a smile and a wave will not spread the coronavirus but denying one will spread more fear and isolation. That reaching out through a text might not seem like a big deal but to a mom who has reached her breaking point as she yells at her kids one more time, to a husband worried about providing for his family, to the nurse scared to come home and expose her loved ones, to your elderly neighbor nervous about going to the grocery store, to your co-worker whose only interaction is with her feisty cat, that text might be the lifeline that gets them through the day. 

While we are all asked to “Shelter In Place” let’s not forget to extend love, grace, community, and connection to those in our circles. Let’s not let this virus take away our humanity and our compassion. For when this is over I can only hope that there are stories that flood everyone’s news feed on how communities rallied behind local businesses, stories of community and compassion as we didn’t forget amidst our own fears and anxieties to extend that helping hand to those around us. I can only hope that this time of social distancing makes that reunion in the real world that much sweeter.