Life in the time of Corona

It’s been a while since I’ve had many adventures, but I thought I’d share how things are going here in Cuernavaca. It’s been exactly a month since I’ve returned from Oaxaca, and I’m doing my best to adjust to quarantine life. I’m here at the house that I’ve been staying at, with Tere and the two cats (I was corrected when I called them cats…they are los cositos preciosos), and taking care not to venture frequently, and to wear my facemask outside of the house, wash hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer when necessary.

Like the rest of the world, things are quiet outside, pretty tumultuous inside (my mind). I’ve been working from home for the last 5 months, so that part’s not new. But there’s a new anxiety that has fallen upon everyone and everything, and things just seem so much heavier. This is in STARK contrast to the world I’ve been living in for the last 5 months in which there were few worries, and happy travels. This experience is just so strange. It’s something I never thought we would be dealing with in my lifetime. It’s surreal, but so very real. In the last month, I’ve added to my caseload and extended my hours, and done my part to meet the growing mental health need. Through this I’ve learned just how unique each persons’ experience is. I’ve got some clients who are not working at all. Some are working from home. I have a few who are still working, and I’ve hardly talked to this group at all because they’re so busy. I have some clients trying to manage home schooling their kids while working. And all this on top of whatever brought them to therapy in the first place. All the while, I’m grateful for the position I’m in. I’m grateful to have a job, but one that’s not too stressful. I don’t deal with high risk clients that might be suffering from severe depression, or who might be in dangerous, abusive relationships locked at home with an abusive partner. I don’t work with kids, in which therapy would very much halt because of the nature of therapy with young people, as well as privacy concerns if they need to talk about things they don’t want their family to hear.

Supporting local business and
craft breweries with carry out
service!!

In case you’re not aware, this is hard for therapists! We’re holding everyone’s stress and fear for what’s going on, and trying to process our own at the same time. I’m sure I’m not alone, but I have not been coping very well. It’s been a while since I exercised and took really good care of myself, which is frustrating for me because I spent the last 5 months living in somewhat of a self-care bubble and had gotten really good at self-care! I now have about the same number of sessions per week as I did when I was just a clinician at PWC, and man is it tiring! But let me tell you a little bit about what I’ve been doing, and how I’ve been coping.

I celebrated my anniversary
of my first trip to Cuernavaca!

First and foremost, thank goodness for the cats! They have been providing so much comic relief, and something to focus on aside from how much stress is outside the door. We spend a lot of time fawning over and complaining about the kitten, and worrying about the cat (who’s in a cone, and can’t defend herself against a kitten who ALWAYS wants to play). Most of the pictures in my phone from the last month are of these cats. I’ve never been a cat person really, but I think I’m forever changed. I see their value. (But I still want a dog😉.) I’ve also been cooking more! I made cold brew coffee (because I’m finding I need that afternoon pick-me-up that I didn’t before) and some simple syrup for cocktails! I also made pizza!! Baking is not super common here, and the use of the oven required that I clean out the boric acid first. But I decided that it was necessary, and made us homemade pizza last Saturday! I also played around and made potato pancakes! They went over pretty well, and I was so happy to be cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, because if I were home/in my own apartment, you better believe my kitchen would be busy!

Keeping busy making pizza:)

I’ve been keeping busy enough. But something I keep coming back to is my family. I sure miss them. I know if I were home, I still wouldn’t be able to see everyone. And if we weren’t in a pandemic, I still wouldn’t be seeing them for a while. But it’s awfully hard to be going through such a difficult time, and feeling so far away from them. We’ve done all the zoom calls, but I am really looking forward to seeing them in real life! I’ll be going home mid-June, and I am looking forward to it!

Poor preciosa had to have a cone
for three weeks! She's feeling
better now:)

The thing I’m finding the most difficult and frustrating is how much conflict this is creating. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. This is bringing out the best of some people, but it seems like it’s bringing out the worst in others. And in some cases, there is such a lack of empathy for people, and more focus on the economy, the bottom line, and what luxuries are missing. And the risk of infection is still very high. We haven’t seen quite as much infection as we would have BECAUSE of social distancing. And it makes my heart very heavy to see people being cavalier about the effects of this virus. Being disrespectful to people that are working for essential businesses, or heaven forbid the hospitals, and not considering how much these people risk by exposing themselves every day. I hope all this is over soon. I know people need to work, and I know there are many people who are suffering major consequences of not working, of being socially isolated, or of being at home in an unsafe environment. And there’s no easy answer for what’s going on here. But be kind to each other, and put humans first, and I think we’ll get through it. I don’t want to get political or start a debate, but I have been feeling so sad and heavy, and I just wanted to share.

I love you all, and I hope you’re well. Stay safe, and take care. And feel free to reach out and chat if you’re feeling lonely! Now excuse my while I go play games over zoom😉