‘Thank you for flying United Airlines. Let us be the first to welcome you to the San Francisco Bay Area.” I switch my phone out of airplane mode, as a flurry of messages begin to filter through, welcoming me home from Mexico City. A text drops down onto my screen from ALERTSF and my heart sinks:

Urgent Official Health Order: = As of 12:01am 3/17/20 everyone in SF ordered to stay home except for essential activities. Slow COVID19 spread.

I have six hours. The vacation glow melts away, replaced by a growing sense of uncertainty and dread.

Three weeks… and counting

As of today, we in the San Francisco Bay Area have been under a shelter in place order for twenty one days. The order has been extended until (at least) May 3rd. I wasn’t sure that I would post this month. What do you write about on a travel blog, when everyone has to stay home? I also needed some time to settle in (or wrestle) with our new normal and get my thoughts together. We’ve all been seemingly under a blanket of fog, trying to find our collective balance and the ground shifts beneath our feet.

The whole world is experiencing COVID-19, albeit to varying degrees. Some are currently in the thick of it, others still deep in denial about what is happening. I hesitate to complain too much. I have a place to live and more than enough food to eat. My work has slowed down some but not disappeared overnight, as it has for many. My family is nearby and sheltered safely. To be perfectly clear, I am blessed beyond measure.

Sure, there are days when I feel stir crazy. I’d love to take a walk without avoiding other people for fear of getting sick. Trips are cancelled indefinitely. The holidays we will celebrate later begin to pile up- first my birthday, now Easter. Spring, my favorite season, is passing by outside my window.

It’s the Little Things

I am increasingly aware of the things I have taken for granted and now desperately miss. A hug from my mama is like sunshine; the cure for all that is wrong in the world. Who ever thought we’d get to a place where hugs are dangerous? An impromptu brunch or trip to wine country with girlfriends. Family dinners. Roaming the world freely, sans mask and gloves.

And yet, I remain hopeful. Grateful for the smart, brave people who get up every day to work on a vaccine, care for those who are sick and keep our communities safe. Equally grateful for the bus drivers, the man at the community market whose kind eyes smile at me just above his protective mask, my mail lady Janie, the butcher at the grocery store who now recognizes me on my weekly trip and calls me ‘hon’. All the folks who did not sign up to be first responders, but have become everyday heroes who keep our world turning, in the face of uncertainty, fear and a danger we don’t yet fully understand.

Alone, Together

As my world has been forced to slow down, moments stand out- highlighted by solitude, quiet… and in some cases, even peace. Trucks that usually barrel down my street every morning, blaring sirens, jackhammers- have all been replaced by birds chirping and often, complete silence. A silence that is usually only reserved for a small window of time (about 3-5am), now blankets my neighborhood for much of the day. I imagine that quiet may feel eery to some. I’ve decided to appreciate the peace.

I have faith that soon enough I will awaken to jackhammers and the loud hum of the city will return, as will our way of life. My hope is that we hold onto just a small slice of the anxiety of this moment, the lesson. The part of this crisis that makes us value one another and understand we are truly in this life and this world together. I know, that will be a stretch for some. That said, as the proud daughter of a former hippie, the gene is strong. We can do better and I have faith we will.

In the meantime, I’ll be sharing tips for how not to travel, for those of us whose bags otherwise stay packed. As we all #stayhome #alonetogether, here are nine ways to stay sane while under quarantine.

Baking

Baking is my happy place. Give me some flour, sugar, butter and a few hours in the kitchen and I’m golden. Since the first weekend under quarantine, I’ve made snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies, both chocolate and blueberry muffins and an apple pie. My freezer (and waistline) are begging me to stop. Apparently, I’m not the only one who bakes as a stress reliever, as flour and eggs have been flying off grocery shelves everywhere. Pace yourself, and I’ll try to do the same! 😉

Walking 

My neighborhood is great for walks, a blessing at a time like this. As the only real time I’m getting outside these days, I’m savoring my walks even more. KT and I have taken to walking around Lower Haight and even to Hayes Valley, which with all the shops and restaurants closed is quiet and we can literally walk down the middle of the street.

I know many people are hesitant to go outside at all, but I really think the fresh air is important for my mental health. If you’re worried about being around too many people, try early in the morning or on a rainy day (like we caught yesterday).

Dancing at Club Quarantine 

DJ D-Nice has been a lifeline for literally hundreds of thousands of us in the past few weeks. #ClubQuarantine started with 200 people and has grown to 100k+ people, rocking with D-Nice several times a week via Instagram Live.

Imagine having your favorite DJ throw parties at your house. Now imagine you can attend said party in your slippers and yoga pants, sliding past the line outside the club, directly to the VIP section (your couch). Your song comes on and you hit the dance floor (aka your living room), oh and Lenny Kravitz is there, next to Will Smith and Michelle Obama. This is our new normal for the time being and it is pure joy. D-Nice has proven what many of us have known for some time, music heals. Truth be told, I’m at Club Quarantine right now, laptop and all, vibin’ to an After Dark set we’ve all come to love on the evenings D-Nice feels like playing slow jams (and flirting with Halle Berry). I truly don’t know what I’d do without D-Nice and music right now.

Yoga With Adriene

I’d imagine any kind of yoga would be a good idea right now. That said, I’m partial to Yoga With Adriene. It’s been a great support for me, even pre-quarantine. Last year, I decided to start an at-home yoga practice and stumbled upon Yoga With Adriene. Hundreds of videos, available on youTube and free- checked all the boxes. Last October, I managed to do yoga every day for 30 consecutive days, no excuses. Completing the Dedicate series felt like a real accomplishment and I found myself looking forward to my time on the mat. Adriene also has a 30 day program themed, Home … which was created earlier in the year but is fitting for obvious reasons. Whether you’re new to yoga, or have been out of practice for a long time (like me), this gentle practice has been a welcome calming space in what is an anxious and uncertain time.

Letting Go

Most of us have way too much damn stuff. We also tend to have home improvement projects that go unfinished (or never started) in favor of more important (fun) things. When however, “outside is closed” you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish. My garage was no match for me last weekend. After I ended my baking frenzy, I moved on to clearing space- literally and figuratively. Letting go of things is cathartic. It feels like progress, when the world feels like it’s at a collective stand still. Take some time to sort through what you’ve collected over time. No doubt you’ll find some gems along the way and let go of what you no longer need, creating space for the beautiful things you’ll discover when we’re back out in the world again.

Virtual hangouts 

Guys, I think we might have broken Zoom. Many of us have used it for work, but all of a sudden we’re all in search of ways to see our loved ones and well, I don’t know if Zoom was quite ready for us. I’m partly to blame-my birthday virtual happy hour was everything, four time zones and some of my favorite people! Another great option if you want to spend a Saturday night with friends is Houseparty. You’ll find out things about your friends and family that might be new to you… like who cheats at Pictionary, or who hums while they draw, who locks people out of the game room… or maybe that’s just my group of friends. Either way, it’s fun and you can party in your PJ’s… which is a recurring theme with many of these activities.

Gardening

Now to be fair, I haven’t actually gardened yet. I have, however, sat IN the garden, a few yards away from my mama, while SHE gardens. Sitting in the sun, spending time together, even at a distance has done wonders for my spirit. Imagine if I actually get MY hands in the dirt… next level zen for sure.

Practicing Gratitude 

This is undoubtedly a difficult time for all of us. For some it’s tragic and all encompassing, with heartbreaking loss. For others of us, there is fear and stress but largely we will recover and be okay in the long run. I am thankful to still have work. I am grateful for walks through near empty streets with my little sister, moments in the sun with my mama, my dad’s smiling face as he waves at us on his first video chat ever. Life is different now, maybe altered in some ways forever, but some things remain beautifully unchanged.

Day Dreaming 

Now if you’re a natural dreamer like I am, this one goes without saying. For those of you that tend to stay grounded in reality at all times, I gently encourage you to take a break from the 24 hour news cycle and let your mind wander to a happier place and time. If you need some inspiration, feel free to hang out here and dream about where you’ll go when “outside opens again.” Being able to envision a time when we are all beyond this moment is so important. You are entitled to all of your feelings, including joy. Where will you go when the clouds have lifted?

How are you managing during this challenging time? Where are you finding moments of joy?

Wishing you and your loved ones safety, health and peace…