It’s okay to be interrupted

(3-minute read)

Okay, so it’s March 2020, my aunt passed away (not COVID-19 related), the pandemic hits the U.S. and we are ordered to shelter in place, my job issues a work-from-home (WFH) mandate for the foreseeable future, just as I was talking about career growth with my manager. I had no idea—like many of you—that two years later we would still be dealing with the effects of COVID-19…unexcepted deaths, illness, weight gain, anxiety, etc.

My life had been interrupted.

I got used to staying in the house day and night. It was all I wanted to do, even after the at-home mandate was lifted. I was used to going to the grocery store for fun (essential businesses never shut down), eating my anxiety, binge-watching Netflix and Amazon Prime, online shopping, and working overtime. I stopped working out, stopped walking the dog, basically stopped caring about…anything because…

My life had been interrupted and I didn’t know how to get back into my routine.

Fast forward to 2021, I was able to continue discussions about my career path and ultimately was offered a new WFH position at my company (yes, there is a story there lol). What that meant was a lot of positive things, but it also meant I never had to go back to the office if I chose. I was free to continue feeding my fear of being around people again by staying home and retreating into my shell.

My life had been interrupted because I had to get used to my new normal.

Midway through 2022, and I realized I am still not back to pre-pandemic Maya. How can that be? We, as global citizens, are getting back out there, returning to the office, hanging with friends, traveling; and somehow I haven’t caught all the way up. I don’t feel like myself quite yet. If I’m honest I’m feeling adrift…lost in the sauce (or the churn for The Expanse fans out there). The pressure to “be okay” again and get on with life is overwhelming at times. I find myself going through the motions because…

I had been interrupted, but the story is not all gloom and doom.

I’ve prayed and I’ve picked up a few strategies and tips from others who are feeling the same way. The biggest one is to find joy where you can—for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Find reasons to smile, even if they seem small. A million little things add up to something big. So, I’ve decided to start going into the office once a week and going back to spin class. I realized these were more than just day-to-day activities for me, they are two VITAL pieces of my identity. I cut out huge portions of what makes me, me because…

I had been interrupted.

Just the simple act of writing this blog post is therapeutic for me, taking a hard look inside to identify where I’m struggling and speaking life to those areas. So, there is hope on the horizon. Good news through the gloom. Healing on the other side of helplessness. I’m reminding myself daily…

It’s okay to be interrupted.