Covid-19 Positive: Being Sick is No Fun

Rethink with Gratitude

Recently being diagnosed with Covid-19 sent a rush of overwhelming thoughts to my brain. Will I survive, will my family be safe, what did I do to contract this illness? I had to reach deep within myself and connect with God to assure myself everything will be ok! I prayed day in & day out, holding onto that faith. My partner, Bre is seriously the one who helped me get through & maintain that faith. 

Through tragedy often comes triumph and creativity. I was able to use the quiet moments in solitude to brainstorm and create. My blog was born from sickness but inspired by Milove of Life.  As I look around my home, I feel the love and creativity it took to create this cozy space; from the over-decorated fireplace mantel to the bedside table used as a side table in my living room. Thoughts and choices made to help my home function and my pockets thrive. Pieces chosen from second-hand stores to my local T.J.Maxx all encompass my style on a budget.

Living in Contra Costa County in the SF Bay Area during the beginning stages of the Corona Virus pandemic was pretty scary and unpredictable. The outbreak occurred at local schools to grocery stores in my tight-knit community. Going to work each day as an essential employee honestly felt like we were putting our lives on the line. The local government wasted no time implementing health procedures to ensure the safety of the community. The rush to shut down non-essential businesses and activities made sense, as did the immediate stay at home order. 

I get my steps in at Target aimlessly walking the isles in search of anything that catches my eye. That changed overnight. I relied heavily on apps like Instacart for groceries and Amazon for essential items to keep my family and me safe. I’ve been an Instacart user for over a year, I couldn’t have been more than thankful for the employees of that service.

Within weeks of the stay at home order, my company decided to enforce that order as well. My partner and I both were furloughed from April to June. At first, quarantine felt like an extended vacation, but the reality set in that we were amid a global health crisis. Runs to Target were far and few, T.J.Maxx, Ross & Marshalls closed their store indefinitely; my shopaholic world began to close in on me. 

Forced to online shop for items I usually would need to touch, smell, and decide at the last moment I don’t need didn’t sit well with me. So I began to rethink those habits and rethink my space. I took a look around my home gathering inspiration and had to think of ways I can make what I have new. Rearranging my living room/ dining room configuration kickstarted my vision. Inspiration from Liz Marie, Amanda from This Crazy Life, and Kathryn from Do it on a Dime; helped keep me motivated to decorate, maintain, and love my space. Each day I tackled DIY’s, organizing challenges, cleaning, decluttering projects all around my home to keep my mind off of what the world was facing. 

The months flew by, as was my presence requested back at work. Being back at work was bittersweet, I missed my coworkers and the challenging tasks of my job, but I couldn’t help thinking of the risk involved with being outside during this global pandemic. Unfortunately, within 3-4 weeks of employment, I began to experience symptoms of Covid-19. All the caution I’ve taken for months felt like it went down the drain. Here I am Day 13 of my mandatory home quarantine. The first days were rough, a lot like having the mild flu; fever, body aches, chills. As the symptoms were under control I began to feel a spark of creativity. I began to reflect on all the peace my home gave me and the joy I felt starting and completing projects around my home, I knew I need to share this with the world.

Covid-19 gave my family and I more reasons to show gratitude and to be thankful for each day we are present on this planet. Do your research, follow recommended health guidelines, do not feel exempt from this illness. We have to beat the spread and keep our loved ones safe! Overcoming this illness has made me stronger and more grateful for my life. As I expand daily on my past and current endeavors I love that I have a platform to share my journey, projects, goals, and more! 

If you or any loved ones are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 please refer to https://cdc.gov or contact your health professional!

Stay safe Family!

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