I Can't Live With You
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| PHLUR fragrance, a guilty pleasure |
If you read the title of this post and thought, ‘hey, that’s a Queen song’, you’re right. I was trying to create a title that expressed the realization of things I’ve discovered I don’t need, and the phrase simply stuck. It’s exaggerated because of course, I could live with these things. But I certainly don’t need to.
It’s officially been four months since the chaos began. In March, a lot of people thought we’d shut down and stay in for a few weeks, and life as we knew it would quickly resume. I was always skeptical. Being a lover of science, biology, and somewhat familiar with diseases and vaccines and all that jazz, I just knew we were likely dealing with something far more threatening and relentless.
To say it’s been a challenge is the biggest understatement ever. Within a matter of
It’s safe to say all of us can’t wait to get back to real normal. I know I’m not the only one who refuses to entertain thoughts of or even say the words 'new normal'. In the meantime, here are some things we’ve collectively learned about ourselves and our currently-complicated reality.
THE REALIZATIONS
Realization number one: Hair color is overrated. I confess that my lighter and happy almost-platinum blonde was not my natural hair color, and though it was fun to be bright, I don’t really need to be so light. Not coloring/bleaching my hair has made it healthier and easier to manage. Will I start coloring again after life is officially normal? Oh, maybe, because...change is fun.
Realization number two: It’s possible to successfully cut your own hair. I have a short pixie, which I’d argue is tougher to trim than longer hair. There’s tapering and layering and sculpting and shaping. On the upside, a mistake takes less time to correct, since short hair demands trims more often. I’ve given myself two haircuts since March, and they both turned out pretty dang good. All with a pair of scissors and a comb (no razor required).
Realization number three: You can create decent meals with minimal ingredients and a little imagination. Even people who’ve never been great cooks or don’t have much of an affinity for it have discovered the power of a few random things in the fridge/cupboard. And if all else fails, cereal is awesome at all times.
Realization number four: Putting yourself together in the mornings is an amazing mood lifter. We all haddays weeks of lounging in sweatpants or yoga pants with naked faces and birdnest hair. And speaking of hair, we let it grow; everywhere. Faces, legs, etc. We were hairy, naked unkempt people. But early on, there were a few days I got up and prepped for the day, just like I did before. And I felt worlds better! It created a sense of purpose and motivation. Suddenly, the entire world felt a bit more normal, and everything was a little brighter.
Realization number five: Road trips for no reason are awesome. Even if there’s nowhere to go (whether things are closed or you’re just playing it super-safe), hitting the road, rolling the windows down and cranking the tunes is a powerful release.
Realization number six: Working from home saves a ton of gas/money. I can’t remember the last time I put gas in my car, and that’s a cool feeling. Even with the road trips I’ve taken, the need to fill up routinely has completely disappeared.
Realization number seven: Working from home eliminates traffic and travel time for everyone. Presently, many people are heading outside once again for work, shopping and eating. But traffic flow continues to be much lighter and less stressful. With so many employers adopting permanent WFH plans, it’s likely traffic will remain less crowded for a while, and that’s a fabulous side effect.
Realization number eight: Real human connection, even if it’s distanced, is necessary. The rise of social media prominence over the years led to a major disconnect that’s created a toxic, angry and defensive world. Productive conversations took a backseat to public blaming, judging and shaming. It’s easy to feel empowered behind a keyboard, and charged topics make us quick to react. And while the pandemic has pushed further embracing of digital communication, it’s also made amazingly clear the necessary in-person interactions we need to flourish and thrive. We can’t yet hug again, but simply seeing one's face in person is a precious gift. Phone calls, both voice and video, have become more important than ever. Let’s hope we hold on to that importance. Personally, I’d love to see a decline in cryptic texting, but I know that’s not a realistic hope.
Realization number nine: Not wearing high heels is way better for foot and leg health. Okay, I didn’t need a pandemic to know this. But I’ve literally not touched my heels in months. I used to wear them a couple times a week, and consequently, plantar fasciitis was always haunting me. Since staying flat for almost half the year, I can safely say my PF issues are almost completely gone. Hello, happier running! But oh, how I can’t wait to rock stylish shoes again...
Realization number ten: We have way too many shoes and clothes. The average guy owns about a dozen pairs of shoes, and the average girl almost double that. Let’s not even talk about clothes. Most of us are guilty of buying something we really didn’t need but loved, and simply had to have it. Personally, I’m always careful to consider if/when I’ll wear something, even if it’s gorgeous. If I don’t absolutely love it in the store, I’ll never touch it at home. Alas, I’ve spent a lot of time purging my closet the last few months. And though I already had fewer shoes than most, I donated more. If I have a couple pairs of sneakers, a couple pairs of heels, and some solid boots, I’m good.
Realization number eleven: Running and walking outside is all I need to recharge. I write I because I don’t know if this realization applies to most. Some people are invigorated by social activities, but I’m content to be alone, or with my husband, enjoying a run or a walk close to home.
Realization number one: Hair color is overrated. I confess that my lighter and happy almost-platinum blonde was not my natural hair color, and though it was fun to be bright, I don’t really need to be so light. Not coloring/bleaching my hair has made it healthier and easier to manage. Will I start coloring again after life is officially normal? Oh, maybe, because...change is fun.
Realization number two: It’s possible to successfully cut your own hair. I have a short pixie, which I’d argue is tougher to trim than longer hair. There’s tapering and layering and sculpting and shaping. On the upside, a mistake takes less time to correct, since short hair demands trims more often. I’ve given myself two haircuts since March, and they both turned out pretty dang good. All with a pair of scissors and a comb (no razor required).
Realization number three: You can create decent meals with minimal ingredients and a little imagination. Even people who’ve never been great cooks or don’t have much of an affinity for it have discovered the power of a few random things in the fridge/cupboard. And if all else fails, cereal is awesome at all times.
Realization number four: Putting yourself together in the mornings is an amazing mood lifter. We all had
Realization number five: Road trips for no reason are awesome. Even if there’s nowhere to go (whether things are closed or you’re just playing it super-safe), hitting the road, rolling the windows down and cranking the tunes is a powerful release.
Realization number six: Working from home saves a ton of gas/money. I can’t remember the last time I put gas in my car, and that’s a cool feeling. Even with the road trips I’ve taken, the need to fill up routinely has completely disappeared.
Realization number seven: Working from home eliminates traffic and travel time for everyone. Presently, many people are heading outside once again for work, shopping and eating. But traffic flow continues to be much lighter and less stressful. With so many employers adopting permanent WFH plans, it’s likely traffic will remain less crowded for a while, and that’s a fabulous side effect.
Realization number eight: Real human connection, even if it’s distanced, is necessary. The rise of social media prominence over the years led to a major disconnect that’s created a toxic, angry and defensive world. Productive conversations took a backseat to public blaming, judging and shaming. It’s easy to feel empowered behind a keyboard, and charged topics make us quick to react. And while the pandemic has pushed further embracing of digital communication, it’s also made amazingly clear the necessary in-person interactions we need to flourish and thrive. We can’t yet hug again, but simply seeing one's face in person is a precious gift. Phone calls, both voice and video, have become more important than ever. Let’s hope we hold on to that importance. Personally, I’d love to see a decline in cryptic texting, but I know that’s not a realistic hope.
Realization number nine: Not wearing high heels is way better for foot and leg health. Okay, I didn’t need a pandemic to know this. But I’ve literally not touched my heels in months. I used to wear them a couple times a week, and consequently, plantar fasciitis was always haunting me. Since staying flat for almost half the year, I can safely say my PF issues are almost completely gone. Hello, happier running! But oh, how I can’t wait to rock stylish shoes again...
Realization number ten: We have way too many shoes and clothes. The average guy owns about a dozen pairs of shoes, and the average girl almost double that. Let’s not even talk about clothes. Most of us are guilty of buying something we really didn’t need but loved, and simply had to have it. Personally, I’m always careful to consider if/when I’ll wear something, even if it’s gorgeous. If I don’t absolutely love it in the store, I’ll never touch it at home. Alas, I’ve spent a lot of time purging my closet the last few months. And though I already had fewer shoes than most, I donated more. If I have a couple pairs of sneakers, a couple pairs of heels, and some solid boots, I’m good.
Realization number eleven: Running and walking outside is all I need to recharge. I write I because I don’t know if this realization applies to most. Some people are invigorated by social activities, but I’m content to be alone, or with my husband, enjoying a run or a walk close to home.
Realization number twelve: Making pour over coffee for my hubby and I is a precious morning moment. I always made myself a hurried cup before I rushed out the door to work. When the pandemic hit, I didn't realize making coffee for both of us would become such a lovely and joyful part of my day.
There are undoubtedly other realizations and subconscious transitions. But there are also little things we hold dear; the guilty pleasures we admit we don’t need, but love too much to let go…
There are undoubtedly other realizations and subconscious transitions. But there are also little things we hold dear; the guilty pleasures we admit we don’t need, but love too much to let go…
THE GUILTY PLEASURES
Guilty pleasure one: All-powerful fragrance. Smell has the power to transform our perspective, if only for a moment. I love PHLUR and their entire lineup of perfumes, lotions and deodorants. Having my favorite fragrances in my arsenal of happy uplifting things has made all the difference in the world these last few months, and I refuse to give them up.
Guilty pleasure two: Ice cream helps. I’ve been a fan of ice cream my entire life, but kept a healthy distance from it, save rare occasions of indulgence. Nowadays, I enjoy a small ice cream sandwich once a week, and it really truly does make a dull, lifeless and horrible day a little bit better.
Guilty pleasure three: Manicures and pedicures are (almost) more fun at home. Actually, I’ve been doing my own manis and pedis for a while. But I’ve been taking my time and really treating myself. I miss the paraffin wax, but giving special attention to my hands and feet with clippers, lotion and polish is a great way to refresh and recharge. Bonus: Watching The Office (again) while performing this selfcare is oh so fabulous.
Guilty pleasure four: The occasional trip to the grocery store is surprisingly amazing. Like many, I started ordering groceries online to avoid unnecessary exposure to germies in confined spaces. But I’ve (safely) made rare trips into the store for a card or other item difficult to procure online. And I admit, even though I had a mask on, being in that store, browsing cards...it was way more exciting than it’s ever been. And it was a much-needed treat.
Guilty pleasure one: All-powerful fragrance. Smell has the power to transform our perspective, if only for a moment. I love PHLUR and their entire lineup of perfumes, lotions and deodorants. Having my favorite fragrances in my arsenal of happy uplifting things has made all the difference in the world these last few months, and I refuse to give them up.
Guilty pleasure two: Ice cream helps. I’ve been a fan of ice cream my entire life, but kept a healthy distance from it, save rare occasions of indulgence. Nowadays, I enjoy a small ice cream sandwich once a week, and it really truly does make a dull, lifeless and horrible day a little bit better.
Guilty pleasure three: Manicures and pedicures are (almost) more fun at home. Actually, I’ve been doing my own manis and pedis for a while. But I’ve been taking my time and really treating myself. I miss the paraffin wax, but giving special attention to my hands and feet with clippers, lotion and polish is a great way to refresh and recharge. Bonus: Watching The Office (again) while performing this selfcare is oh so fabulous.
Guilty pleasure four: The occasional trip to the grocery store is surprisingly amazing. Like many, I started ordering groceries online to avoid unnecessary exposure to germies in confined spaces. But I’ve (safely) made rare trips into the store for a card or other item difficult to procure online. And I admit, even though I had a mask on, being in that store, browsing cards...it was way more exciting than it’s ever been. And it was a much-needed treat.
Guilty pleasure five: Gourmet coffee really does brighten your whole day. I love Mercury's coffee. I love it so much, I used to grab it (and my favorite bacon and Beecher's cheese croissant) at least three times a week before heading into the office. Since WFH is now a potentially permanent part of my life, I rarely grab Merc's anymore. But when I do? Well, let me just use this overly-memed pop culture quote: I don't often drink gourmet coffee. But when I do, it's Mercury's.
There will be more realizations and guilty pleasures. The threat of the pandemic is still very real, very present, and persists. It’s not going anywhere for awhile. We’ve yet to learn everything about it, but the more we discover, the better decisions we can make. I know: It’s difficult to know what’s real, who’s right, the best route to take, etc. Seek, read, learn, and dig. Don’t necessarily take everything at face value. Do your homework, weigh the options, say a prayer, and take care to protect yourself and your fellow humans on our tiny little precious planet.
So here’s to more realizations of what really matters, guilty pleasures that are worth enjoying, and treatments and vaccines that are safe and effective.
Please stay well! And stay happy.
There will be more realizations and guilty pleasures. The threat of the pandemic is still very real, very present, and persists. It’s not going anywhere for awhile. We’ve yet to learn everything about it, but the more we discover, the better decisions we can make. I know: It’s difficult to know what’s real, who’s right, the best route to take, etc. Seek, read, learn, and dig. Don’t necessarily take everything at face value. Do your homework, weigh the options, say a prayer, and take care to protect yourself and your fellow humans on our tiny little precious planet.
So here’s to more realizations of what really matters, guilty pleasures that are worth enjoying, and treatments and vaccines that are safe and effective.
Please stay well! And stay happy.
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