Hello, fellow mamas! I’m thrilled and honored to be here with you for the next 4 weeks to talk about all things ‘quarantine wellness’ with you!
Full transparency here: I write today’s post sitting (alone) in my car, down the (quiet) street, around the corner from my (loud) house, as it is the only place to get any QUIET time these
days.
For many of us, when we hear the word ‘wellness’, we think ‘exercise’ and ‘clean eating’.
While those are absolutely huge pieces to the ‘wellness’ picture, for me, wellness starts with mindset. We can have all the tools, the meal plans, the trainer, the exercise equipment, the kitchen gadgets, etc, but if we don’t focus on changing the thoughts that are keeping us stuck, we will never see sustainable results.
Our first day of quarantine in Oregon started March 16th. I remember the feeling when I heard schools would be closed for 2 weeks. (2 weeks- HA!😄 What I wouldn’t give for that to have been true!) The kids were excited for an extended spring break.
I’ve worked from home as a virtual fitness coach for the last 7 years (since I was pregnant with my littlest guy), so I was prepared and confident this wouldn’t be much of a change for me (insert evil laugh here). I was actually excited to slow down our frantic pace for a bit and spend some quality time with the kids.
Goodness gracious.
Working from home is NOT the same as working from home while sheltering in place. Throw in trying to keep our kids engaged in distance learning, keep them entertained, fed, bathed, and alive and before we know it, our own self care is non-existent.
First things first.
I knew once the initial excitement of an extended ‘break’ subsided, we mamas might start to feel a little bit stretched, a little tired and anxious. Helping others set their mindset from the get-go would be crucial.
Our first week of quarantine, I shared this post on Facebook about being in control of our thoughts and setting intentions:
“Kids are out of school for (at least) 2 weeks.
Businesses are shutting their doors left and right.
Every other FB post is fear based.
We need JOY!
Yes, it is absolutely possible!
We need to focus on what we CAN control right now.
We CAN control how we move and feed our body and our mind.
And my friends, those two things alone will make a WORLD of difference in how you feel right now.
Although life may look different for a while, there is so much we can do to remain in control of our life.
❤️ I intend to get outside a little bit everyday. This will be easy now that my littlest just learned to ride his bike without training wheels and wants to ride all the time. ☺️
❤️ I intend to stay committed to my morning routine even though I don’t have to get the kids up early for school.
❤️ I intend to practice being in the moment more. I got really good at appreciating life after my cancer diagnosis, but need to get back to really staying present and patient.
❤️ I intend to show more gratitude towards my loved ones and remind them daily how blessed I am to have them in my life.”
It seems like it was forever ago that I wrote that post. In reading it again all these days later, it causes me to take inventory on how well I’ve done with my intentions. Like you, we do our best.
One thing that has worked for me during this time of sheltering in place is by seeking to begin my day with ensuring that my intentions are aligned with my thinking.
Why?
Mindset matters, my friends.
The quality of our thoughts will shape our lives.
I love this quote from Lao Tzu:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
The thoughts we tell ourselves will impact how we go about days.
The way we conduct our days will create habits that will lead us either closer to or further away from best life. This will be a season of our life unlike any other in the past and most likely unlike anything we will ever experience again in our future.
Think about how you want to emerge from this time. Think about the memories you want your kids to have about it. Think about the lessons you’ve learned that you want to carry with you as you re-enter the world.
I firmly believe we can go one of two ways with this- we will either be set back, having simply survived this time. Or we can emerge stronger than ever, thriving, having grown through it. Having taken this time to better ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
For me, setting my mindset for the day means starting with my devotional. Rooting my day in God’s Word gives me perspective like no other. I can square my shoulders, stand tall and proceed with confidence as a daughter of the King. I pray for guidance, strength, and patience with my kids, my career, my spouse, myself.
I set my intentions for the day. For my mindset, my workout, my schedule, my nutrition, my presence with my family.
If you’ve been struggling with achieving sustainable results, take some time to be alone with your thoughts. But, before even beginning to set any goals, work on your mindset.
What are the thoughts you are telling yourself? Where did they come from? Are they true? What’s been the hardest part of quarantine life for you?
Let’s talk about these questions and more during our live chat on May 7th at 7pm in the All Mom Does – A Community of Moms Private Facebook Group Page.
-Shelly Simonsen
About the Writer
For over 20 years, Shelly Simonsen, a fitness and nutrition professional, has been helping others in their pursuit of healthy living. As a mom of 4 children and a cancer survivor, Shelly is on a mission to help women find their voice, get unstuck and create the confidence to live a life of freedom.
Recently Shelly founded The Shine Studio.
In her own words; “I’ve had a vision in my heart for nearly a year; a vision to create an ongoing virtual wellness community where we could all stay engaged each day.”
With The Shine Studio, Shelly imagined a place full of joy and positivity, support and encouragement from each other and herself as well as a sharing of resources members all have found to support their collective of healthy living lifestyles. The Shine Studio serves as a ‘hub’ where all members of the community feel they can just hang out with one another.
