Uncle Andrew Cuomo got on the TV the other day and told me that I might have to stay in the house for nine months because of the Coronavirus.
Coronavirus. COVID-19. The Rona. Miss Rona.
This virus goes by many names but she sure is turning the world upside down and inside out. So, let’s identify the problem. We have this disease, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus. As Uncle Andrew Cuomo said, the virus started moving like a freight train and then upgraded to bullet train. People seem to be dying left and right. Every day, a new celebrity hops on Instagram to tell us they have the virus. (Honestly, first Idris and now Prince Charles…I’m shook).
So, what have we been told to do? Stay inside and ride it out for maybe three months. Or six months. Or, as I said, nine months. But, to be honest, when Uncle Cuomo said nine months I almost threw my remote into the television screen.
Nine months?
Do you all realize I could grow a child in my uterus in that same amount of time?
A whole new human life!
It can’t be done.
But, I am coming to the realization that it doesn’t really matter what I think. It’s about the greater good and I just couldn’t live with myself knowing I infected someone’s family member and put their life in jeopardy.
So, here we are. Forced to “shelter-in-place” for the greater good while, let’s be honest, sacrificing our mental health on most days.
Most of us are used to going to work or school. We are used to meeting friends after we are done with our days. We head to the gym or maybe just back home to Netflix. Some of us Netflix and chill (more power to you!). But, the point is that we have these routines that Miss Rona decided to upend.
So, how do we as poppin’ Black millennials stay inside and save the world while saving ourselves?
Meditate
Now, I know. Meditation seems like one of those mental health buzzwords. As someone who claimed that they were simply too tired to meditate, I get it. I used to just fall asleep. I really did not get the point. But, I truly feel that there is a type of meditation for everyone. Now, my mother loves to listen to instrumentals. I, personally, think that is boring as hell (Sorry, Mommy, I still love you though). So, I prefer to listen to guided meditations from Abide. It’s a Christian guided meditation app. But, if that’s not your cup of tea. Both Shine and Calm offer guided meditations. And, your meditations don’t have to last forever. But, when all you see on your TV is doom and destruction, it is nice to sit and be still for two minutes.
Create A Schedule
This is a little easier for me because I’m a student. As one of my friends affectionately calls our new online school, I have to log into “Da Crib University” every day. I have assignments, exams, and a degree to obtain that simply does not care that I am in a global pandemic. So, I have to block out my day to get these grades. But, if you don’t have a school or a strict work schedule, this time is tough. I advise you to take your trusty Google calendar and block out a schedule with a friend. Keep each other accountable. Leave room for rest, work, eating, and sleeping. This will hopefully help you feel more balanced.
Take A Break from the News
Do you know what this unprecedented time reminds me of? The Summer of 2015. That was a particularly hard summer for the black community. First, it was that police officer that busted up that pool party in Texas and tackled a poor teenage girl to the ground. Second, it was Rachel Dolezal (…enough said). Third, we had the tragic massacre at the AME Baptist Church in South Carolina. Every day, it seemed like things were getting too painful or confusing to bear. Finally, a lot of my friends and I had to shut off the news. Unfortunately, as a community, we are used to turning on the news and witnessing horrible things happen to our community. In those and, especially in these times, we have to hold space for the news. But, we also have to recognize when it’s too much.
Take a break from the tweets, pings, updates, and breaking news updates and do something that brings you joy.
How are you getting your mind right during this time?
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