Another month has passed, and this year continues to hit me hard when I least expect it.

In just the past few weeks, I’ve lost someone who felt like a second father, almost lost my mom, missed Halcy-Con that we’d been so excited to attend, endured two hurricanes in as many weeks, and had to cancel several trips we were looking forward to.

It’s already been a rough year, with so much loss, hospital stays, and illness in the family. Just when we thought things were starting to improve, the universe knocked us down again.

Now, we’re back in survival mode, taking it day by day, knowing the rest of the year might be a wash in terms of plans. I’m trying to figure out how to minimize the damage from this latest round of crises, and how to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It’s likely I’ll feel exhausted again, but what’s most important is recognizing our limits and not letting them derail us.

For example, even though my birthday weekend plans were canceled, I still took the time off and had a staycation to rest my mind and body. There was a moment last week when I hit my mental breaking point, but I’m incredibly grateful to have a wonderful husband who let me cry and vent about the unfairness of it all.

Over the weekend, he made sure I prioritized my mental health, so I could start the week feeling refreshed and a little more hopeful. Still, I’m hesitant to fully let my guard down, as I’m back in that fight-or-flight mindset from earlier this year, bracing for the next blow.

But I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been trying to do all year—lean on friends and family, not take on everything by myself like I used to, and focus on what brings me joy. I’m making a conscious effort to appreciate the small things each day and remember what I’m grateful for.

The biggest lesson I’ve taken from this past month is the importance of making time for myself and my loved ones, especially during these isolating times.

Below comic by the Artists at https://www.tubbynugget.com/