You are listening to the Your Empty Nest Coach podcast [kitchen/pans clinking]
Uh – Christine
Yes Christine –
You know with the social distancing implemented due to COVID-19 that your listener’s nest may not be empty right now – and they may be struggling with an unexpected full nest.
[kitchen/pans clinking]
I mean, listen to that racket in the kitchen.
Ooo, you’re right – how about.
You are listening to the Not-So-Empty-Nest podcast with Coach Christine – is that better?
I think for at least for the near future – it might be a good call.
Sounds like a plan.
[kitchen/pans clinking]
Before we get started, please remember that you may leave me audio feedback at any time through my SpeakPipe link or Google Voice Number. If you find yourself wanting to offer advice to my listeners or talking back to me during the episode,I invite you to submit your thoughts there. You’ll find the links to do this in the description of the episode. On Apple Podcasts, click “Details”; on Spotify click “See More”; on Overcast press the I for information button. Get the idea? Of course, I always have full show notes with links to anything I discuss in this episode, and a full episode transcription – on my website. Those reside at Youremptynestcoach.com/P (for podcast) and 79(for this episode’s number). I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Hello, my beautiful empty nest(or not so empty nest – right now) friend! How are you feeling? Tune into that. And then ask yourself if you like how you are feeling. If not – you’ve come to the right place because my job is to make you aware of how much control of your life (through your thoughts and feelings) that you simply hand over to others, or to the happenings of your life.
COVID-19 is a doozy of happening – which you easily could give full control of your mind to your protector who will allow thoughts and statements from others to boss you around. But, if you are a regular listener of my podcast, you know that you have the opportunity RIGHT NOW, to train your protector in a way that can bring you to the other side of this experience feeling peaceful and powerful in your life.
The decision is yours, my friend. I’m cheering you on.
Feel those sad emotions when they make sense. Feel the angry emotions when they make sense but know, my empowered friend, that you have the choice – so choose wisely where you spend your energy.
For today, I am going to give you a quick update on any changes to our family through restrictions due to COVID-19, and then share some of my insta followers answers to my Social Distancing Daily Check-in.
So, where I live in Pennsylvania, last night the governor ordered a stay at home order for our county. Honestly, it doesn’t impact my family much as my husband and I continue to work from home (I am incredibly thankful that we both have that ability for now), my daughter is home from college and has fallen into a routine for her work, and over the last week we only left our home for a singular grocery shopping trip, my final trip into the office, and exercise (my husband is a runner) and my daughter and I walk – ironically, I’ve been enjoying the empty campus where I work – I can walk to it and the paths are wide to make social distancing from others easy to do.
I need to say that I appreciate the work that our front-lines – the health care workers and emergency personnel, the retail, grocery workers, gas station attendants, factory workers (basically if you are working because you have to) – I appreciate all that you are doing for all of us on the planet. I honestly, I don’t even know how to express my gratitude properly.
So my husband was left with the gift of low-immunity when he battled cancer over ten years ago. I’m a bit protective of his comings and goings – and those he is around. This morning, I decided to put household protocol in place for package deliveries.
I put signs on the doors to remind us all (myself included) that nothing enters the house before being disinfected. I flat out put a sign on the front door “DO NOT USE.” – we have a garage door and using that specifically for things will help. One exception that I’m allowing is that we have a deck, heading out on the deck: heading out on the deck for some outside fresh air I’m good with – unless I shouldn’t be – if you are in a country ahead of where we are – and that’s a concern – let me know what your life is like right now.
We officially have outside shoes and inside shoes. If you’ve always been that family – good for you – we have not been, but I’ve now implemented it.
We have no symptoms. However, we are still within a 14-day window of us being out and about regularly – I picked my daughter up from college, and my husband and I were working two weeks ago. Testing, as of THIS day here where I live, is only available under certain circumstances, and is only just now even becoming available – so I expect the numbers will rise in the area because testing is just becoming a thing here.
The understanding that I have of this (as of this date) is that we can be carriers, also, and never have any symptoms, so I am doing these episodes to share with others, as well as a bit of a journal for myself. It will be really interesting a year from now – a year from now, I’m hoping our understanding of COVID-19 at that time will be much clearer.
One thing I would like to do is to give a shout out to our local Wegman’s – maybe this is all Wegman’s – I am not sure, but the protocols that they have in place for their employees – specifically their cashiers is phenomenal. At check out, I was never within 6 feet of the cashier – for a store , that I’m fairly certain normally times their cashiers – this makes my heart happy.
The line for a register was quite long but everyone within the store was respectful of one another’s space. I will note that I was there for the store opening – that may make a difference.
It had much the feel of a Disney park opening but with more personal space – and, yeah, no ride at the end.
I’d like to say – well done, humans on doing what we need to do. If you are in an area that isn’t on lockdown yet in one way or the other – be a good human and do it early. It will be coming. I remember reading about Italy’s warning only a week ago and thinking, “this must be a month away, “ well, we I’m already there.
As for mental space for our family, I’m happy to say that as of today, our family is doing well. I’m quite clear on what is outside of my fence and I am feeling really good about the training I have done over the last year in becoming the Conscious Effective Olympian of my life – or CEO of my life. Presence is huge and I have only become more certain about the importance of learning how to find presence throughout your day. I’ll link in my show notes any episode that may help you through this time.
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And finally, I’d like to share a couple of insta family shares of their social distancing check-ins.
My favorite mental health podcaster, Elaine of angus eye tea, shares that on day four of her social distancing she loved watching the sunset, she found surprising that she worked out, that memes are making her laugh and that she needs help with “Cleaning her house,” asap. Well, she does have time, doesn’t she? I recommended that she pick one thing to clean a day – do you have any suggestions for Elaine?
Another Instagram follower, Laurey, shared on day four of her social distancing that she loves having her kids under her roof; she finds surprising that she’s noticing nature with many walks; the creativity of covid posts is making her laugh, and she also needs help with having her kids under her roof – and yes, this is a huge adjustment. That presence you are gaining when in nature is good to use when you are in your house together – notice details about your family that you don’t normally notice – to help you pull into the present. Do YOU have a tip for Laurey?
And my most recent share, had me on day 8 of social distancing. I love that we have shea butter in the house – as my hands are experiencing some extra dryness and a dose of the shea butter and my hands are super thankful! Something I’m finding surprising is that the entire United States isn’t yet on a stay at home order. The memes are making me laugh, too – those are my funny for yesterday, and I actually couldn’t think of anything I need help with at this moment – so I inadvertently put two funny things – I really am feeling pretty CEO of mY life right now – so that is good – and you can be there too – anyway – the second amusing thing I noted is a video that a professor from Ursinus College made about his new class – I’ll put a link in my show notes. It’s fab.
So, my listener, thanks for making time in your day to spend it with me listening to this. I appreciate you more than anything, I hope you and your family are safe and healthy right now.
If you need support, I am offering free support calls Monday through Friday. Join one or all, however you feel led, and whenever you need it. Consider it a coffee date for those who need a little support in the new not-so-empty nest. No sales pitch from me – only support.
And with that, I remind you that you can handle whatever this day brings, my friend, and you are amazing!
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