I don’t remember the last time I bothered to put on any makeup since isolation started. The same applies to dressing up. A lot of the clothes I purchased right before isolation are still sitting in their original shipping boxes in the corner of my room. I guess the uncertainty of when I am going to get to use them has left them in a weird pending state in my head. I have saved a ton when it comes to online shopping because I’m not sure which season to really shop for anymore. I, instead, focus my shopping on ordering spices for my new cooking obsession and then exercise equipment to balance out my constant eating. I have also purchased some really weird self-care products online like a recently bought booty scrub. That kinda thing. It is weird. The scrub is great though.
All the life shuffling going on, and the new interests like cooking with music, reading, and lots and lots of baths have made life feel more felt. I feel guilty about finding any good in this mess, but it is important that we all do. We need to search and hold onto the good in all of this.
I’ve been cooking a lot during this time. Yesterday, I sprung out of my chair in between a work call to start baking a cake. I didn’t know how to bake a cake, but I wanted a cupcake. I opened my recipe book, took out a small tin pan and baked myself what would be one exact slice of chocolate cake. That kinda thing.
I discovered I have cumin powder in my spice cabinet. When did I even buy that?
(Don’t worry it didn’t go in the cake)
With all the time I am getting to spend with myself, I’m developing new interests and following the beat of the moment. It has certainly kept things interesting around my house.
I haven’t been doing a lot of photography and I try not to be hard on myself about that because what has been working for me lately, is not forcing anything. You’ve probably seen my rants on Instagram about not letting the pressure of what others are doing at this time get to you.
After you indulge in listening for what YOU need once or twice and feel all the peace that comes from that, even the most well-intentioned advice feels burdensome and unsolicited.
That kinda thing.
I’ve been redirecting my photography towards the editing side. I am finally getting to those photographs that got dumped in folders and never seen again. Still, there are days I wake up with ideas to shoot and I run for my tripod and get to work!
All in all, in this isolation, it’s been helpful to just be. This situation is unprecedented. We are all figuring it out as we go along. Find some peace in that.