The Quarantine Magnification Effect

During this unprecedented time when some of us (like your friends in Michigan) are under an order to stay home, we rely on social media to stay in touch with our friends and extended families. We are not having a problem staying in touch with the immediate family for the most part we are locked down with them.

Being in close quarters for an extended period of time with anyone can be hard, even those we love. Everything that you appreciate is magnified and everything that is irritating is magnified. I am lucky to have 2 people locked down with me. But that means every in-person conversation is with these two. And being that they are father and son their thoughts, ideas, and opinions are very similar. As are their mannerisms, and annoying habits. This is why I spend about ½ my words each day on pets.

Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for my family being with me at this time, but it is stressful and new and I think my husband and I have had a year’s worth of fights in the past month. We are getting to know each other super well. Which I am sure will make our relationship stronger in the end.

What I am learning is to be more aware of my responses to things, and to try, yes try, to give more grace to those around me. I have struggled with anxiety and deep sadness during this time. I can’t say I have been rational and kind every moment. It would be unfair to expect everyone else to be.

That being said. In an effort for good self-care, I try, again, try I am nowhere near perfect, to share only positive energy both at home and on social media. Sure there are frustrations, but there are also creative solutions and opportunities. There will be disagreements, but they can be discussed with respect for the perspective of the other party.

I refuse to consume and feed on negativity here on social media. I will take this time to focus on magnifying gratitude, opportunity, kindness, and compassion. I ask that others do the same. Be a light. Be supportive, understanding, open-minded, caring. If that is too much to ask, that’s fine, just know I will not be engaging, and I will not be responding, and that will be because you will no longer be showing up on my feed.

It’s like on the plane when they tell you to put on your mask first. I’m putting on my mask first.

“It is not what happens to you, but how you respond that matters” -Epictetus