4 tips for riding the COVID Express in Style
It doesn’t matter whether we live in a metropolis or a relatively isolated rural region—the ole COVID-19 can still come chug-chug-chugging into our station.
That’s what happened right here at The Hollow this week. We are now isolating together in a small cabin, the only room we have. We’ve been blessed thus far to experience a very mild manifestation of the ’VID, and only one of us is symptomatic, strangely. In fact, only my husband has tested positive so far. He has experienced fatigue and some coughing, and a loss of taste and smell. It’s hard to say where this is going to go over the coming weeks and months, whether there will be long-haul symptoms or not.
But here’s what we know works for us so far:
Not Giving in to Fear
Let’s be honest. There are a bright, shiny array of possible symptoms and issues in the COVID portfolio, and even experts don’t have enough information yet to have a handle on all of them. There are lots of articles online. Some symptoms seem to be common, and others obscure.
My finger developed what looked like a bruise two days ago. Is it really a bruise? Or is it a rare symptom known as COVID finger? (Okay, they call it “COVID toes,” but it happens to fingers, too.) I didn’t smack, cut, or have a bug bite my finger, and I was aware of the symptom, so I started researching it online. The first articles I came up with showed people who had lost fingers and toes. I was getting freaked out until I found other articles that differentiated the necrosis of digits from a much less harmful rash or discolouration that may be the only symptom of the virus for some folks.
A very wise friend of mine, a retired nurse, advised that too much online research might be worse for my soul than simply being present with the symptoms and taking any necessary steps if things should worsen.
Telling People who can Support
Getting COVID isn’t a dirty secret. COVID is a virus—it doesn’t care what nice warm host it snuggles up with. We chose not to be afraid to ask for help. We obviously needed assistance with groceries and water and the like—we can’t get them for ourselves. But the very first thing I did was start to reach out to my family and community and ask for them to send us their prayers, healing energy, and good thoughts (for those who don’t pray or resonate with healy-feely stuff).
I choose to be open to the love and good vibes they are sending. Deep in my bones, I know that this speeds healing. And even if you aren’t so sure, having as many people as possible hold you in their hearts with light-filled intentions can’t hurt.
Practising a Daily Protection or Healing Ritual
Every morning I do a walking meditation on a stone spiral I have laid out in our yard. I breathe, and I set one foot, then the next upon the Earth. I call in blessings from all the directions. With gratitude I thank the Air for breath, the Fire for life force, the Water for hydration, and the Earth for its nourishment. At the Centre I thank the Ether for helping me gather everything I need in my sovereign self. I surround myself in healing light, and spiral that back out to my husband, our cats, our cabin, and All Things.
Starting my day in this way brings me grounding, peace, strength, and equanimity.
What’s your daily ritual? It could be as simple as a prayer, a meditation, or a quiet thought process that invites all the conditions for healing into your life.
Staying Compassionate with Self and Others
Looking within, it’s easy to take a negative perspective on this situation. Not only have I been afraid of contracting the virus for over a year—I am frustrated that despite taking COVID seriously, exercising precautions and being waaay rural, it has still arrived for us.
But frankly, it is what it is. So far we are not too sick. We are incredibly grateful. And we can choose our attitude. It is calming to practice compassion towards ourselves when we are cranky, tired, and feeling like the poops. We extend that compassion outwards, knowing exposure and transmission of the virus were not intentional. It is uplifting to stay focused on the healing of those who received COVID before us and get daily updates from them.
And our conversations with the Health Unit folks who are tracking us are positive, too. They have the unenviable task of checking in, asking for contacts, and trying to help us understand the parameters of our period of isolation. We are forthcoming with them, and we laugh together when we can. I even thanked the nurses who had to probe my brain with a nasal swab. How would you like to have that job? Sheesh.
I hope from the bottom of my toes to the tip of my discoloured finger that you are well as you read this. And if you are not, I send my compassion. May you find the courage, support, inner fortitude, and self-compassion to continue on the healing path.
