When You’re Stuck Between Gratitude and Frustration

It’s so easy to get caught up in the fear and frustrations of our stay at home order. To get wrapped up in the what if’s? The planning for the just in case. The worry, the isolation, the concerns on the impact all this will have on our homes much less our nation. I’m constantly having to pray away my fears. I’m also stuck between being so grateful for the blessings my household currently has; compared to so many others who are in a much more intense dilemma. Keeping your glass half full is effort. 

Gratitude

Not going to lie to you…after a month of staring at my khaki walls and losing track of what day we’re on; I’m getting close to over waiting out this Stay At Home Order. I get it, our world is in the middle of fighting a pandemic. We are trying to flatten the curve. All we’re being asked to do is stay our booties home. It’s not that difficult. But yet, it is pretty difficult. If you are an extrovert with toddlers.

Gratitude

My kids and I are stir crazy. We miss our friends and school, and I’m pretty sure they’re tired of seeing just mine and their dad’s face every day. We’ve crafted, sang, done school work until we’re blue in the face; and we just need to see something new now. The feeling of entrapment is starting to settle in, and the battle to fight civic duty and emotional well being has begun. So what’s the solution here? It’s joy & gratitude. 

Choose Gratitude

Gratitude reminds me that my sweet husband is able to still go to work while others can’t. I think of the house full of food my grubby toddlers get to snack on all day. The air-conditioned home I live in with electricity and internet! In 2016, after the flood, we didn’t have a kitchen or a put-together home. All I’m being asked to do is sit in my home. I don’t do well feeling trapped which is what I’m struggling with the most. But, oh how gratitude and thoughts of gratefulness have helped me distract those feelings.

Choose Joy

Find joy in the mundane. Find time for yourself. Even if it’s just to put a face of makeup on; so you can remind your husband he has a hot wife and not a homeless person for a partner. It’s a five-minute shower, and a FaceTime chat with a friend. Even if you have to scream at the kids in the middle of your convo; and y’all are having to restart the same sentence five times. It’s ordering a new book. It’s starting a journal. It’s watching your kids play peek-a-boo and chasing after the new puppy. It’s a glass of wine after a hard day. It’s appreciation, for your health, for your income, and for your home. “Joy comes in the morning.” Tomorrow is a new day; right now find your joy in the mundane. We’ll make it through; and when we do, come find me. I have a hug waiting for you.

Baton Rouge Family Fun Ambassador – Courtney Cotharn-Lambert

Courtney Cotharn-LambertI am a Design Consultant, Event Planner, and Doula. My hope is to help a mom: plan her baby shower, design her nursery, help her during labor and birth, and lastly help plan the baby’s first Birthday. Find me online at www.courtneyaid.com

“A one stop support shop for all her baby needs.”

 

 

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