This is a tough time for everyone.
Depending on where you are at in this crisis, I am quite certain that there are days when you do not feel as though you even want to get out of bed.
I hear you, friend.
I have had my share of tears and worries and anger and fear.
I am starting to learn how to get through it though, and maybe some of my new-found experiences can help you, too!
The one event that woke me up was when someone reminded me of how absolutely lucky I was to have two beautiful little faces to stare at and two little bodies to curl up next to and cuddle with.
That is when I realized that I needed to stop having my own little pity party – just because the world has stopped, our lives have abruptly changed and I felt so all alone.
I wasn’t alone.
I had two precious children in this with me!
And they were the greatest sunshine I could experience! 
I am going to share with you what I did to make myself feel better and become more productive when all I wanted to do was curl up in a closet somewhere.
Trust me, if I could beat these feelings – you can, too!
Step 1: DO NOTHING!
Give your emotional and mental bodies a day off and just do absolutely nothing for a day or two or even a week (if your life allows that!)
Now, I know, you still have to attend to the children, but other than meeting their absolute needs, just don’t do anything else if you don’t want to.
The laundry can wait.
So can the dishes (you can eat off of paper plates for a couple of days!)
Bills? Ah….they can sit on the counter (as long as they won’t become over due!)
Just give yourself a well-deserved break.
You have been fighting to keep everyone’s spirits up, juggling work, trying to figure new ways of shopping, keeping the house up, making numerous phone calls to find health insurance or argue the cable bill….
For crying out loud, if anyone needs a break, it is YOU!
So, today, you do nothing.
You lie on the couch and just stare out the window.
Or take a nap.
But give your mind and your emotions a break!
That is number one!
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Did you do number one?
Ok, step two….
Step 2: Watch a Movie!
I’m not kidding.
Put on a good movie.
Maybe it is something that you have been wanting to see for a long time and just haven’t had a chance to sit down and watch. 
Try to line up the kids’ naps so that they go down at the same time or get them busy with a project and then lay on the couch with a blanket and just watch a movie.
Now, I know what you’re thinking….
Nope! Don’t even say it!
I KNOW what you are thinking….
But, remember, this is about you, too, and you need some self-care.
This will help.
I promise.
Just sit down…
and watch a movie.
Got it?
Good.
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Did you do it?
Ok, on to number 3….
Step 3: Make Lists!
Listen, I know that this sounds stupid, but….
Lay on the couch or on the bed (wherever you prefer)
With a pen and paper (not your phone)
What?!
That’s right!
I said, NOT YOUR PHONE!
Get a pen and some paper.
Lay down
And start making lists.
Why not your phone?
Because it is an easy distraction and can cost you more mental energy.
Trust me on this.
Just pull out the old fashioned pen and paper and you will thank me later! 
Start making lists.
Make a grocery list.
Make an inventory list (what items do you need to continue to survive this pandemic?)
Make a list of things that need to be done around the house.
Make a list of phone calls you need to make.
Make a list of clothing everyone is lacking (do you need a new bra? Tired of seeing your husband in that shirt with all of the holes in it?)
Make a wish list of things you would like to have.
Just make a bunch of lists!
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Did you do it?
Fabulous!
Now onto number 4.
Step 4. DO the List!
Every day….no matter how hard it is to get out of bed…pick one item on a list of your choice and just do it. 
Get it done.
Great!
Then check it off.
Choose another item on the list.
Get it done.
Super!
Starting to feel a little more motivated?
Yeah….as you get going, your energy will pick up.
You will feel better about the accomplishments you made, no matter how small.
Sometimes, especially in this instance, we get so overwhelmed that we do not know where to start and our “blues” just make everything even more unbearable.
So, you will see that a paper/pencil list will get you moving and feeling good again!
Step 5. Play with the Kids
Oh my goodness….this one has been so hard for me….
I cringe when my 3-year-old son (who is also having a really hard time with all of this, by the way….remember, kids are missing their routine, friends and family, too!) runs up to me and says, “Mummy, you want to pway wif me?”
Sometimes, I actually find myself full-on blurting out, “No, Ryan, I don’t want to play with you.”
(God, that’s so mean! I hate myself for that!)
But then I always feel bad and force myself to get on the floor and play cars….or blocks…or ice cream shop.
Or sometimes, I am so down that I cannot get into anything and I just sprawl out my entire body all over the floor and just lay there.
But guess what?
Even that creates a fun, playful event for my son because then he can just climb all over me and he is happy with that!
And I am happy with the pressure he puts on my back as he steps on it!
Listen, you don’t have to force yourself into a full-on imaginary game with your child in order to “play.”
Just be present.
Sit down on the floor next to your child while he builds a block tower. 
Every once in awhile, throw a block on so that he knows that you’re in it with him.
But, you are mentally drained, my friend, and I give you lots of credit if you just move your body from the couch to the floor and let your kid use you as a mountain to climb!
Because I know how hard that is – just moving from the couch to the floor!
Once you play one activity, you will probably feel more motivated to do another…and then another…
The kids will lift your spirits!
And you should let them!
You Can Do It!
It is rough, but you might just need that little bit of a push to get going!
And once you get going, you can do it!
And once you start doing, you will start feeling better!
Sometimes, we just need a little drive in our step to get us moving!
I have been in ruts before, but it wasn’t until now that I really realized how to get out of them.
These 5 steps will get you moving, too!
Even though the world looks grim, there is still so much you can do, everyday, to keep going and feel good and productive again!
Hang in there, my friend.
You got this!