As difficult as this pandemic has been, I’ve been trying to notice small silver linings. I’m grateful for a chance to embrace a quieter, simpler, more mindful way of living.
Mornings still hold a bit of chill, but the sun has been shining more often. Spring’s shifts in weather feel especially meaningful right now; each change is an invitation to notice something new from my living room window.
Gentle breezes set the trees in motion and the sea catches the sunlight and sparkles. Salt air drifts through the open window and I find myself appreciating the clean, fresh scent of the outdoors more than ever.
Lately I’ve watched a magnificent blue heron glide over the yard and perch on the shed outside my window while I work. He’s a large, patient hunter—likely scouting for a snack in the neighbor’s pond. I feel sorry for the fish, but I’m moved by the reminder of freedom: the effortless ability to rise up and go wherever you please. The small freedoms we once took for granted—running out for coffee, meeting friends, spontaneous outings—feel like distant memories.
We’re learning a new normal and finding ways to make the most of it. I don’t like that so many are suffering or living with fear, and the unknown is unsettling. Still, I’m deeply thankful for the sacrifices people are making on behalf of others. For now, we are asked to stay home—and we get to stay home. We are safe, healthy, and together, and I recognize that this is a privilege not everyone has. It’s a gift we shouldn’t take for granted.
Here are a few things I’ve been doing to bring a sense of calm to my home:
- Being present and noticing simple moments of beauty.
- Cutting and arranging flowers from the yard to brighten indoor spaces.
- Turning down the volume of the outside world and savoring quiet.
- Praying for others instead of dwelling on worries.
- Using a diffuser with calming essential oils and taking deep, steady breaths when I feel tense.
- Taking walks and short drives on quiet streets, greeting neighbors from a respectful distance.
- Keeping gratitude lists in my journal and notebooks so I remember the small gifts of this season.
- Cleaning our home with gratitude for this warm, safe shelter.
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