Just when I thought NYC was reopening fully, it hit me. First it was a feeling of intense tiredness, then congestion like I’ve never had, and before I could put all the pieces together, I got my test result back: COVID positive.
It’s one thing to know people who have had COVID. But to have COVID yourself is like having an unwanted house guest who decides to sleep on your couch all day. Except, I don’t technically have a couch (it’s still on back order). Instead of dreaming of my upcoming trip to Mexico City or working on designs for new projects, the only thing I could dream about was being able to not blow my nose for 5 minutes.
What Doesn’t Kill You
Luckily, despite being inconvenient, my COVID symptoms did not require me to need oxygen or be hospitalized. Instead, my hospital room consisted of my apartment and my lifeline became nothing other than my phone and my thoughts. I had a lot of time to reflect on the place I was in, even if it wasn’t in a hotel or a new city.
So what place was I in? When I’m sick, I reach out to friends near and far. Not to seek sympathy, but to seek company and support. There is nothing like hearing a friend’s crazy dating story to take your mind off the volcanic flow of mucus pouring from your nose. (What guy lies about their first name and deflates their age by 10 years!? Red Flag!)
And since I had to take care of my daughter, I discovered a creative edge in me that was more than everything. It was my salvation! Who knew the many games that could keep a child occupied when she wasn’t able to be in school with her friends? Her smiles and everyday sweetness were just the medicine I needed to help me heal faster.
Mind Travel
When there’s no place to go, we can go anywhere in our minds; a tropical paradise or a deserted valley; a mountain vista or a deep trench? Oprah Winfrey’s quote, “you are where you are in life because of what you believe possible for yourself,” couldn’t be truer. This self-quarantine was a good wake-up call. It allowed me to reflect upon my values, my relationships, and my actions. Were they in alignment? What conversations did I need to have? What did I need to start or stop doing?
As I’m recovering, I’ve not only regained my physical health, but I gained a lot of clarity. Being able to take a clear view of your life might be the best postcard you ever need to remind yourself of how far you’ve already come.