Lessons in the Time of COVID-19

It is no secret or big revelation that we are living in unprecedented, and frankly, scary times. As we approach almost two months since my state has been on a stay-at-home order, I know I am not alone in feeling the mental effects of this pandemic. 

Collectively, we are feeling more anxious and more scared than we have in a long time. But even in the face of all that, there are some positive lessons that I have been able to hold on to during this time. They aren't much, but if anything, I have learned now more than ever that it really is the little things that make the biggest impact. 

#1 Find time to go outside

Again, no shocker at this one and I am sure that you have seen tons of Instagram posts of your friends on their socially distanced nature hikes, and that is great. But this tip is for those of you who, like me, have been having a hard time getting motivated to go outside.

Even if you are able to stand on your back porch with your morning coffee for five minutes, I strongly urge you to add it to your quarantine routine. For me, I have been going outside to play with my dog, Dempsey. I won't lie - every time I have not wanted to go, but every time I have felt 10000% better.

There's just something about a little bit of fresh air, some sunshine, and some puppy play time to put things in perspective again.

#2 Try a new hobby or pick one up you've been neglecting

Crocheting is one of those hobbies that I have been trying to get into for the last eight years, you guys. I'm not kidding. However, once all of this started, I decided that I was going to pick it up again. I usually have this thing where if I can't pick up a skill immediately, I will quit, but I stuck with it this time and made a new cloth to read my tarot cards on!

Even though my first large project isn't the best and it is far from perfect, seeing myself progress and then seeing the finished product made me feel accomplished and so great - a feeling I definitely needed during this time.

#3 Plants are our friends and have lessons, too

In a similar vein to finding time to go outside, tending to my plant babies has been incredibly satisfying. They continue to grow and thrive even while the world feels like it is collapsing around us. 

And that is a meaningful lesson: even though it feels impossible, we can and will keep growing through this time. Things will change and will get better again.

#4 Events look different, but they are more meaningful than ever

I am one of many that have spent my latest birthday in the middle of the stay-at-home order, but I can honestly say it was one of the best birthdays that I have had in a while. My amazing boyfriend ordered me chocolate covered strawberries that were delivered right to our door, my best friend made me soft pretzels and brought me plants, and some other friends played games on Zoom with me.

Even though it wasn't a huge night out on the town or anything like that, I felt like it was genuinely a great time and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

#5 Community is EVERYTHING

Like me, my adorable niece also celebrated her birthday while all of this has been going on. To surprise her, my sister and brother-in-law organized a special birthday parade for her where we all lined up in our cars with signs and gifts and drove by the house to wave at her and wish her well. They were even able to get fire trucks from the local station.

As we drove by and I had to wave instead of hugging that kiddo for her birthday, I was reminded with how much we need to (safely) show up for each other right now. Even if it is as simple as sending a note to a family member, checking in with the squad in a Zoom meeting, or being one of the cars in the parade, we need each other now more than ever.

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." - Les Misérables

Holy S#$! - Blogging is Hard

My dudes. This blogging thing is hard. Like really hard.

When I started my first blog six years ago (and even when I started this one just over a year and a half ago), I knew two things: I enjoyed writing and I needed an outlet. Because of that, I thought that it would be easy to write posts and to consistently churn out content (Did you just scoff at naive Meghan from years ago? Because I totally did).

Little did I know that blogging isn't just writing posts. It's also taking striking, captivating photos; it's also crafting and telling a great story. 

However, blogging has a not so pretty side that we aren't as open about. In many ways, blogging is a bunch of people selfishly shouting into the void and hoping that someone will read our posts and tell us they liked it. It is spending more time scrolling Instagram, comparing yourself and calling it "searching for inspo"; it's focusing more on the likes than on the true self-accomplishment at putting something out there.

And that is what made it easy for me to lose steam when it came to blogging. As soon as I made it about getting validation and less about creation, it suffered. I quit posting. I quit following through when the urge to write came.

But I have finally learned that, at its heart, blogging is about connection: with the self and with the reader. And true connection doesn't happen without authenticity and purity of purpose. 

So moving forward, I don't know what to tell you to expect from this space. I think finding my voice here is going to be a journey, and I hope it's one that you want to take with me.

Cue the Level Up Music

I hope that when you read the title and opened this blog post you heard the level up music from the Legend of Zelda games in your head. If not, please re-read while doing so - it adds to it, I swear.

Now that that is out of the way: hey there, friend. Long time no blog and I hope that you are doing well. If you aren't doing too hot, remember that better time are coming even if it doesn't necessarily feel like it right now (I know that sounds like crap, but I can back this up).

A few months ago, I was in a really rough spot. I'd been job searching for months, my depression and anxiety were (and sometimes still are) at all an all-time high, and I was totally isolating myself from my relationships. 

In a lot of aspects, I felt like a failure and I felt like it was glaringly obvious to everyone around me. I was constantly questioning myself, my ability, and my worth.

But things finally started to look up for me once I finally got a new job as the Social Media Coordinator for a cannabusiness marketing solutions company. Let me tell you - I didn't know how huge of an impact having a great job can make on your mental health and overall well-being.

I have been with this new company for just over three months now, but I can already feel a bit more of my confidence and belief in my abilities and knowledge coming back. I no longer dread starting tasks out of fear that someone won't like it or that I don't actually belong in my space.

Outside of the workplace, I am starting to feel the drive to create and do more again. I have been lettering, reading, and writing more; and I am hoping to share some more of that with you soon. I got a new plant baby who is doing great (you'll meet him soon!), and I even got to go with my boyfriend and his brother to see my favorite hockey team play recently!

But while things have been getting better, there is still that tiny, anxious part of me that is scanning for the next bad thing, that is telling me there are reasons why I shouldn't enjoy these great moments as much as I am. 

To that part of me, I am saying "Yikes" and moving on. While I might have some more leveling up to do, I am confident in saying I earned all of that XP - and I know you will earn yours too.

Monthly Goals - November 2019

If you haven't noticed already, this week's posts are both me trying out something new that I would like to make continuing series on The Rabbit-Hearted Girl. I want to find ways to start living more mindfully and with gratitude. Social anxiety really makes it difficult to find the happy in little moments, so this is my way of trying to manage that. 

Since Tuesday's post was a wrap up of the month, for the first post of November, I would like to set a few goals for myself that way in the next monthly wrap up, I can review them and see how successful (or not) I was.

So here are my goals for November 2019:

Participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Always put my best foot forward at my new job

Start exercising

Appreciate my friends more

Drink more water

What are your goals for the month ahead? Let's talk about them and keep each other accountable!

Monthly Wrap Up - October 2019

It's the first Monthly Wrap Up, so I thought that I would take a moment to explain my goal with these posts before diving in. As I have shared in this space before, I have some issues with both anxiety and depression. In an attempt to not let either of those bad guys win, I want to be both more thoughtful and more thankful for the things going on in my life. To do that, I want to do a wrap up of each month to remind myself of the fun things I did or goals I was able to accomplish!

October is by far one of the best months of the year, every year. Maybe it just has to do with Fall being my favorite season, but I swear it seems like nothing that bad happens during October and I finally get out of my end-of-summer funk.

Here are some of the highlights from my month:

Spicer's Orchard Trip

There's nothing like a Sunday morning at the apple orchard with your bestie to make sure your October starts off the right way. I am very lucky to have a local orchard close to where I live, and to have awesome friends who love apple picking too!

We even went into the corn maze! I had some serious flashes to that episode of The Office where Dwight creates Hayworld and Kevin gets lost in the maze, but thankfully we only got a little lost.

And of course, no orchard trip is complete without first getting a cup of cider and a donut. I mean it. If you go to an orchard or cider mill and you don't end up getting a donut, you are seriously missing out my friend.

Homemade Apple Butter

What better way to use up half a bushel of apples than to make some delicious homemade apple butter! I had never made it before, but it was super easy and it tastes delicious. Click here for the link to the recipe I used that I found on Pinterest!

The best part? I honestly had no idea how it was going to turn out. I used three different apple types (Northern Spy, Gala, and Jonagold) and I was a little worried it wouldn't be sweet enough, but it was absolutely perfect.

All things considered, making apple butter takes a lot of time, but boy is it worth it! My favorite way to enjoy it is on a slice of lightly buttered toast.

Have you ever tried apple butter? What about making it yourself?

New Job

Even though October was very fun and eventful, it also felt incredibly stressful because I was in the middle of a job search. Since the summer, I had been submitting job application after job application, but it wasn't until just about two weeks ago that I was given an interview and then after that, a job offer to be the social media coordinator for a company near me. 

Someone finally took a chance on me and I am beyond excited to take this next step in my career!

Actually, while you are reading this, I am already at my desk during my very first day on the job. Don't worry: you will definitely be getting an update in a later blog post!

All in all, I would say that October 2019 was full of ups and downs, but it really ended on a positive, hopeful note.

How was your October?

Lowkey Samhain - Ideas for the Lazy Witch

Samhain is less than a week away and if you still have no idea how you want to celebrate the holiday, or you need to do something small because you are still in the broom closet, I have a few ideas to get you started.

Do a short tarot reading/rune pull - Since Samhain is the time of year that we typically consider the easiest to get in touch with the spirit world, it is a great time to do a little divination. So grab those runes or your favorite tarot deck, and find some time to do a quick reading for yourself. 

Not sure what to ask? Since Samhain is the Witches' New Year, consider asking for advice for the year ahead or for guidance on how to proceed in a particular area you want to focus on.

Have a bonfire - As one of the Celtic fire festivals, bonfires are quite common on Samhain. Consider inviting a few friends over, share some treats and wine (responsibly), and be sure to set some aside for as an offering.

Do a small banishing spell - No one wants to take unnecessary baggage or negativity into the new year. Write down anything that no longer serves you (bad habits, small mindsets, etc) on a piece of paper. Then, light the paper on fire (fire safety is always important, folks). As it burns, visualize the thing on the paper leaving you and then scatter the ashes, if possible.

Decorate your altar with photos of loved ones no longer with us - Like I previously mentioned, Samhain is the perfect time of year to connect to the spirit world. Consider decorating your altar with photos of loved ones and beloved pets that are no longer with us, with flowers, candles, and other reminders of them.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, I hope you all have a blessed and relaxing Samhain!

Crafting a Samhain Ritual

Samhain is just over a week away and if you are a serial procrastinator like me, you might not have your ritual ready yet. If that is the case, have no fear, because I have a few ideas to get you thinking about the holiday and what you can include in your ritual to celebrate.

When you start thinking about Samhain, there are a few themes you might want to consider hitting in your ritual: remembering the dead, goal setting, and divination

First, Samhain is considered to be the day when the veil between this world and the spirit world is the thinnest, so it is the perfect time to honor our loved ones and relatives who have passed on. Add something to honor them in your ritual, like an offering of food and drink.

Second, Samhain is the Witches New Year, so setting goals and intentions for the next year would be appropriate. Make a vision board or even a simple list of goals that you can refer to for the rest of year.

Third, like I previously mentioned, Samhain is the day when we are more connected to the spirit world. Because of this, it would be great to incorporate some divination into your ritual. Whatever tool you prefer, do a reading for yourself, just don't forget to write it down and any impressions you get from the reading.

Of course, these are just a few ideas to get you started. There are countless ways to celebrate Samhain, and what is important is that whatever you end up doing feels right to you. It doesn't have to be showy or elaborate - unless you want it to be.

What are your Samhain plans?