finding your best self as we tread these unknown waters: basic tenants

By: Dr. Melissa King, pediatrician 

It has now been a month of the King kids being out of school due to the COVID-19 virus where we are following the social distancing recommendations. I haven’t blogged in quite a while and this new “normal” is giving me plenty of topics and actually a moment of time to share with you. The King kids are in elementary school now and this transition to home has been an adjustment for them as they really enjoy school and the socialization with their friends.

In recent years we have become a household eating take out WAY too often, running from event to activity to event, unbalanced in our time at home and in the community. I often stated that I just needed the opportunity to slow down for a bit, to breathe and reorient our focus. As a friend pointed out to me recently -be careful what you wish for, you may just get it!!! 

These times are definitely a new experience. An experience that will go down in the history books for generations to come. Each day I am reminding myself of a few key principles that I would like to share with each of you, thoughts that are helping me to calm my anxieties and hopefully those of my family. These are: 

• Finding the positives in the everyday
• Taking things one day at a time
• Creating your new routines
• Looking toward the future

I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking. The simple beauty of seeing the sunshine, or seeing a co-workers smiling face.

I think that during these uncertain times we are all doing the best that we can and we need to give ourselves grace daily as we figure this out.

Develop your new routine, adjust it as needed. Remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day and next year is a new year. Stay safe, stay healthy, be active and WASH THOSE HANDS!