Joy of the Day, Day 25: TGIF

In this new era, I find that time stretches out and then snaps back quickly, expanding and contracting in strange, sometimes jarring ways. The days roll by willy nilly, without any real markers to distinguish one from the next. But, maybe because of the fact of school days still being school days, however loosely interpreted they may be, Friday still feels like an accomplishment—we made it this far!—and so a reason to celebrate our successes.

The things that made today feel special are all things that I thought nothing of in the pre-pandemic times:

I touched base with a few friends I hadn’t talked to in a while—just a couple quick calls and texts. It’s amazing how much more energizing and important these little reach-outs are now that I feel a little bit starved for the physical/social connection/closeness I have always taken for granted.

I listened to Dave play a beautiful new song live from his house in honor of Earth Day—it always settles my soul to hear the voice that in many ways and for a long time has sung the songs of my life’s soundtrack.

I engaged in basic self-care: a ten minute Peloton stretching session, a Starbucks latte (now a very rare thing), and take-out sushi for dinner with our whole family.

(Fun fact: we’ve had more family dinners in the last six weeks than we’ve had in the last year.)

I’m glad for the shift in my world that refashioned these unremarkable things into cherished gifts. I’m grateful to arrive at Friday feeling light and on track, instead of dizzy and depleted—ready to celebrate and savor the beginning of another weekend in the time of New Normal.

Today, the feeling of Friday is my joy. #joyinplace