The Silver Lining

Originally written and posted by me on June 28, 2020

Now, probably more than any other time in the last while, is it super easy to be pessimistic. The universe really has it out for us. The market jumping up and down, the leader(s) of the country are not acting like leaders, and let’s not forget the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. You know, that one that’s starting it’s second wave?

Those are just the big things. There are a bunch of little things too, like not being able sit down at a restaurant, a bunch of our favorite places are still closed, and Facebook posts constantly arguing whether or not people should be wearing masks in public places (just do it).

The list goes on and on. 2020 sucks.

At least, it does if that’s all you focus on. Reframe it. What’s good about 2020?

Well for me, I have been able to spend a lottttt more time with my boys. With the stay at home order, I worked ten weeks from home and I got to seem them basically all day every day. I spent more time with my wife, too, although she’s less stoked to be sheltered in place with me than my two kiddos. On top of that, I was able to learn a bit what it’s like to work remote. I don’t think I would have easily found out what that was like otherwise.

I have also had the opportunity to really think about what is important to me. In March, when shit was really hitting the fan, it seemed like the whole world stopped to take notice of the things in their life that actually mattered. My list is probably the average list: the health of my loved ones, everything else second.

Reframing the big stuff helps to dull the stinger. What if the second wave forces us back into a strict stay at home order again? The silver lining is that we already know how to work with it, we get to spend time with loved ones, etc.

I’m a believer of finding the good in the little inconvenience as well. Here’s an example:

I really hate folding laundry. I had to do it today. Aside from doing the dishes, it’s the worst chore. Carrying the dirty laundry down the stairs? Cake. Throwing it all in the washer and dryer? Easy. But folding it, and stopping what I am doing so that it I can do it early it enough so that it doesn’t get wrinkled? Nah dawg. It’s too slow. Somehow I’m not good it. My shoulders start to get sore. It just sucks.

The upside, though? A few precious moments to myself in my room, without kids, door closed, HomePod playing a selection of Mac Miller songs. The pros of the situation outweighed the cons but such a large margin that I didn’t even consider being bummed about having to do the chore.

Every once in a while, in break room conversation, the distance of my commute to work comes up. 45 minutes. Most of the time I get an “ugghhhh that sucks!” Maybe it would if we didn’t have great music, audiobooks, and an endless supply of interesting podcasts. My commute puts me in a mental state halfway between vegging out and meditation. Honestly, I think I would be bummed if I had a short commute to work.