10 Things I Learned This Spring – Pandemic Edition

You’re always learning. The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world. This is not correct. The world is always moving. You never reach a point you can stop making an effort – Paulo Coelho

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly June. This summer is likely our last in Japan, and honestly, this isn’t the way I’d hoped to spend it. Covid-19 has us sticking close to home, which, as it turns out, isn’t always bad.

I’ve been working hard to let go of the expectations I had for 2020, and instead, I’m working to make memories that will serve us well after we’ve left. I’m doing my best to capture the spirit of Japan in both photos from our area and writing.

The extra time at home as given me lots of time for self-reflection; here are 10 things I learned this spring.

Writing is how I process the world…

I’ve known this for a while, but it’s only recently that I’m learning how crucial daily writing is to my overall health. A few pages in a journal in the morning makes a world of difference. If I put off journaling for a few days, I experience an almost tangible physical and emotional shift.

…and how I learn about myself

I’ve been revisiting my younger self via old journals. I have some with me from as far back as 1999, as well as all the ones from trips overseas. It’s been fun watching myself evolve, and I’m trying to recapture some of the wonder and magic from those early travel adventures.

Jason Weaver is the singing voice of Simba on the original Lion King

He’s also the older brother on Disney’s Smart Guy, which we’ve been watching recently. I suppose this might come in handy as a trivia question one day, so I’m filing it away. The more you know.

An index card with my weekly writing goals makes all the difference

With more time to write this spring, I’ve learned a lot about my process. Every Monday for the last few weeks, I’ll make a list of my writing goals on an index card. It stays out on the kitchen table with my work, and I’ll make a note each day I complete a task. I’m surprised at how much more focused my writing times are, and I suspect it’s a habit I’ll try and keep up.

I’m learning more about the creativity and intricacy of nature

During our bonus time at home, Husband and I have been watching Night on Earth on Netflix. I’ve always had an affinity for nature shows, and this one seemed exceptionally well done [Plus it’s narrated by Samira Wiley – winning!] Via the show, I learned that the Alaskan wood frog practically freezes to death at night. It’s heart even stops beating.

Vicki also taught me a bit about the metamorphosis of caterpillars. While inside the cocoon, the caterpillar dissolves, turning into some-what of a soup. Despite this radical, and seemingly impossible, method of transformation, it’s also thought that butterflies and moths can remember things they learned as caterpillars.

I’m an INFJ and an Enneagram 6

In truth, I sort of already knew these things. I took free tests for both the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Enneagram online. Reading more about the habits of other people in these categories has helped me define and name many of my preferences. It’s nice to know some of my tendencies are shared, and I’m not just weird.

My cast iron pan isn’t as scary as I thought

Husband and I were given a cast-iron skillet for our wedding, but have only recently started to use it. For a while, I was scared to use it. I’d heard how high maintenance the cookware can be, and I always doubted my ability to make it into its best self.

Although I still don’t know what I’m doing, we’re cooking with it more often. It seems to be getting better, but I don’t know if it will ever be on par with Nana’s cornbread pan.

I’ve reinvigorated my at-home yoga practice

I go through phases of at-home yoga. After re-injuring my hip in April, I’ve been more proactive about stretching, and yoga has seemed like a natural next step. But I forgot how much internal work happens on the yoga mat, too. Each day I celebrate my body for what it can do, but I also practice giving it grace for what it can’t. One day I can hit a pose correctly, but the next, I’m shaking and unstable, the perfect recipe for a humble pie. (Looking for an at-home practice? I highly recommend Yoga with Adrienne).

A new coffee recipe (sort of)

Throughout the stay at home order, I’ve seen many of my virtual Instagram friends recreating Starbucks drinks. I’m not quite that fancy. I know I’m late to this trend, but I recently started adding a bit of Bailey’s to my morning coffee. If this is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

COVID is bringing me back to myself

In college, I seemed to have an eye for noticing the small things and appreciating the ordinariness of life. I have one particularly clear memory of a dandelion while walking to the coffee shop downtown. But, somewhere in the busyness of adulthood, I stopped regularly paying attention. The forced slowing down of life due to the coronavirus has helped me reawaken that slow-down-and-smell-the-roses mindset. Like most skills, it takes practice and persistence to form a habit of noticing. But it’s probably one of the best things to come out of this spring season.

This spring has been ripe with change and unknowns. While we’re grieving much of what we thought life would look like, we’ve also been given a unique opportunity for reflection and finding new habits.

What have you learned this spring?

Until next time, friends!