This mess is confusing. I get it. I’m confused too, I think most of us are. One minute we’re happily skipping along through our daily lives anxiously awaiting Spring and the next BAM! Lockdown, we are all going to die, the economy is halted, your travel plans are canceled, and work tells you to stay at home! Out of nowhere. Unless you are an “essential” worker, like me.

So us essential workers might be freaking out a little bit, but here are some ways we can “keep calm and carry on” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wash Your D*mn Hands

Really, people, I’m not sure why this needs to be said. I was slightly shocked when all this hit the fan and I went to the grocery store the buy my (weekly purchase of) handsoap, only to find the isle completely empty. Completely. Totally. Empty. So did everyone in the area JUST NOW start washing their hands? Ew.

If you are still going to work, the grocery store, out to get coffee, whatever, just use common sense. Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Don’t lick public property. You get my point. Proper personal hygiene is an amazing thing, even when not in a pandemic.

Again, still slightly concerned about all the people who just decided to buy handsoap for themselves and their family. But I’m glad the world is learning to be cleanly.

Unplug From The Madness

Listen, I am the first person to get on social media and get lost in the abyss. By the time 3 hours of nothingness has passed, my anxiety is through the roof. I’m ready to actually give in to my husband’s crazy plans and let him build an underground bunker, buy 17 guns, and start growing and canning our own food for the apocalypse. (Side note, the growing of the food we might actually do one day, but not because I’m a doomsday prepper.)

The news is basically just as bad. Does the news even understand the word “good”? Do they ever report nice, happy, sunshiney things? Not from what I’ve seen. Remember the news isn’t always hard facts. Sometimes it’s inflated fear-mongering to make a “sensational story”.

I’m from South Carolina. We know how skewed the news can be. If you’ve ever seen a South Carolinian make national news, I’m sorry. I promise we aren’t all missing teeth. We know what hairbrushes are. And our names are not all “Bubba”.

Practice Some Self-Care

Don’t let this totally throw you off your routine! Especially if you are still required to show up to work on Monday.

Eat healthy, nourishing foods. Don’t panic eat (but if you do I’m not going to judge you because I may or may not have bought an excess of sugary foods during all this mess). If you’re trying to avoid the grocery store, I know fresh foods are probably hard to come by. It might be a great time to sign up for a local co-op produce box. I know several local farms in our area do them and have adjusted their pickup stations so there’s less contact.

Keep exercising. Yes, I know your gym closed. Get outside for a walk. Watch some yoga videos on YouTube. Do some squats in the kitchen. We live in a camper and my husband and I are both moving every day still in some capacity. No, he’s not able to go to his three hour a day gym routine, but still.

Sleep. This goes back to turn your phone off. Staying up until midnight reading all the latest stats and horror stories is only going to make you a grumpy bear in the morning. Make sure you are getting enough rest. Rest boosts your immune system, which you probably want to be in pretty good shape right now.

Remember Your Purpose

I know going to work every day when all your friends and family are at home chilling sucks. But remember why you are doing what you are doing.

I’m assuming you chose your profession for a reason. You probably didn’t just throw a dartboard and say “welp, it landed on nursing, here I go”.

Even if you aren’t in the medical field on the frontlines helping to save people’s lives (thank you so much by the way to all the medical personnel out there, what you do is truly amazing!), if you are still working you are helping people in some way.

If all the grocery store employees went on strike and walked out, no one would be able to eat. We need those people to be there with a smiling face to check you out, to stock the shelves, and to manage the stores.

If all the bank tellers went home, the bank would close up shop and you wouldn’t have access to your funds. Or anyone to help with your debit or credit card or online banking issues.

If all the police officers said sorry boss, not coming in today, there would be pandemonium and madness in the streets. You then wouldn’t be not leaving your house because of fear of getting the Cornoavirus, but fear for your personal safety and if you would make it back.

And Remember Keep Calm And Carry On

Above all else, be kind to your fellow humans, animals, and our planet.

No one knows what tomorrow brings, whether there is a pandemic or whether it’s just a regular Tuesday. You can’t predict the future, and you can only prepare for it to a certain extent, so the best course of action is to always choose kindness. Be grateful for what you have, share what you can, and treat other people how you would want them to treat you.

Also please note, this was certainly not written to be any sort of medical or opinion guide on the Cornoavirus. I am not trying to debate consipracies. I am not trying to change your opinion. This is just a reminder to everyone to smile and laugh about the little things today.

And I’m simply reminding you to “Keep Calm and Carry On” during COVID-19.