Hello, Posse!
I hope you are all having a great day. I am still working on setting up all the programs I need to start doing a podcast for the Wednesday Whatever blogs. It might be a few more weeks before I'm ready to go. In the meantime, I have been trying to relax.
I have spent the last few years writing everyday, either on the books, blogs, or making ads to post something every day across my social media. In that same time, we had a lot of lockdowns here in Germany. My husband and I have not gone out a lot since the CoVid19 pandemic began. Most trips out are only for necessities like doctors visits and the few business trips Pedro has had to take. We have gone out once in a great while to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary or run a few errands when we had to go out anyway for a doctor's visit.
This is such a change for us. We used to go out almost every weekend to local markets, the movies, just to walk along the Rhein and we each took a trip back to our respective homelands almost every year in addition to taking a vacation together somewhere every year even if it was just a long weekend a short train ride from home.
While I realize not being able to take a vacation is a "first world" kind of problem, it can still be stressful when it's something you are used to doing. This past December I hit a real wall. Which was part of the reason I put off the release of part seven, Into the West: Family Ties. I needed a break.
I have been a vegetarian for about 12 years, but the last few years I had fallen into being more of a "junk food" vegetarian. After all even potato chips are vegetarian. I had been eating a lot of crackers, bread, and veggie "meats". With the CoVid19 lockdowns here in our town, I have not been able to go to the gym regularly since the pandemic started. I also used to walk to the grocery store one or two times a week and carry all the groceries back. Now we have them delivered. With my exercise level dropping drastically, the result has been gaining 20 pounds over the last two years and having my anxiety level get out of control.
I have been doing yoga again to help me relax and revamping my diet. I have been pulling back on some of the social media posts and just making sure to keep up with the blogs. I am adding the podcast, but that was something I had been looking to do for a long time and it would be one less blog to write. Plus, with my background in broadcast news, I do have a headstart on this so it's not a lot of stress to do this set up.
Reading posts online from my friends, I know I am not the only one who is dealing with burnout right now. People around the globe are feeling disconnected and stressed and I think it is starting to really show in how people interact with each other online. The internet has always been a place where people feel free to comment things they would never say to someone's face, but it seems to be getting a lot more snarky.
So the question is, what to do to combat burnout? Seeing as how I am not a health expert, I would like to direct you to an article on Healthline, COVID Fatigue: How to Cope with Pandemic Burnout (all red text lines are links).
Exercise and a healthy diet can go a long way to help your mood. Having self-care days can help too. Here are some great small businesses that can help with this:
Wise Oak Soapery - all natural, handmade self-care products
Happy Feet Reflexology - reflexology and relaxation information
Lovie & Co ICT - handcrafted chocolates, spice blends, and more.
Reading can also be a great escape from the stress of life. These books are a great place to start.
Mark L. Redmond - The Adventures of Arty Anderson, western juvenile serial (because kids need stress relief too)
Lance S. A. Nielsen - Diamonds in the Sky, Sci-Fi book series
And of course my own books:
Stephen Burckhardt - Into the West Saga Serial, historical fiction/western series
I hope you are all doing well and continue to find peace and purpose in your life.
Have a great Wednesday, posse!