Checking In by Erin Gratz

Frustrated

2020-03-23 23:43:55 UTC

Sent home from work for God knows only how long and hoping not to see a pink slip soon. Home schooling the kids has been very time consuming and don't know when I'll have time for all my assignments.

Sad

2020-03-24 03:50:05 UTC

Just want things to go back to normal.

Lost

2020-03-24 18:35:16 UTC

I don't know how to feel or what to think. I am overwhelmed and stressed. My heart goes out to all of you. Don't forget, we're in this together. <3

Overwhelmed

2020-03-25 02:03:54 UTC

My work closed down (thankfully I'm allowed a few work from home hours), I have to be sure I can pay for rent, tuition, food, and other bills. My roommates are constantly jeopardizing my health as I already have a compromised immune system. I am shut off from everyone, I cant even visit my family as my siblings are medically fragile as well. My life is in hands of others that I cannot control and that don't seem to care.

Stressed

2020-03-25 03:18:10 UTC

Trying to cope with everything that is going on while maintaining a sense of normalcy. As a student employee I don't have any work to return to which will obviously affect my finances and add stress. Since this is my last semester it adds extra stress to this situation, but being at home with family helps. Just hoping to navigate this new normal as successfully as possible.

Anxious and stressed

2020-03-25 03:56:57 UTC

So very thankful for the staff in the medical field who are overworked and still go back the next day to continue caring for those in need. My husband and I continue to work as our jobs are considered essential so I feel blessed to be able to keep the roof over our heads and food on the table. I do have anxiety because by the time we get out of work at 6pm we rush to stores to purchase essentials but a lot of things are sold out, store after store. I haven’t been able to find any hand sanitizer and although my employer has submitted a large order for it, due to the world shortage, the order is delayed. Most of my stress comes from making sure my parents, sisters and grandparents are safe and that they have what they need so I took the responsibility of going to the store for them and dropping off items at the door so they don’t have go out in the community. I just want people to stay home and stop having parties and just take this serious to flatten the curve so we can see the end of this pandemic. Wishing you all good health and strength through these difficult times. Try to find even 15 minutes to practice self care, we all need it.

Sending positive thoughts to you all.

egratz1 — 2020-03-25 05:06:31 UTC

Thank you for taking a moment to share. Initially I thought I would respond to each of you individually. . .yet, I struggle knowing anything comforting to say right now. Many of you have already said it - we are in this together. There is so much stress, so much uncertainty. Please know I am thinking of you all.

finding a balance

2020-03-25 16:29:52 UTC

As the uncertainty of whats to come continues I have tried this past week to find balance for my home. My husband and I are both special education teachers now servicing our students online as well as homeschooling our own children. Although this is defiantly different we are choosing to spend more intentional time together, more outdoor time (in the backyard), more reading, more brining a calm to any fears my kids may have .

Be mindful...

2020-03-25 17:18:15 UTC

I'm grateful that my friends and family have stayed healthy and safe during this time of uncertainty. I urge everyone, young and old, to be a mindful citizen. You are not invincible. Please take care of citizens near you by appropriately distancing yourself, washing your hands, being kind to others during this time. We can still be kind, from afar.

Unsure

2020-03-25 21:24:29 UTC

I never thought that being social would be a problem for the world. we are forced with new norms. I was recently laid off from my job of working with children and it lets me know how grateful and happy I was to be in the work environment and working with my kids. I will miss them more than words can explain and I hope that this will be over very soon. I pray that we just all keep our heads help high and we remain humble.

Scared & Grateful

2020-03-25 23:09:43 UTC

I am thankful for all those who are working right now to service us from grocery store workers to first responders. My heart hurts for their families who must worry about them. I am worried not everyone is taking this seriously and scared to see what the new norm will look like when we come out of this. I am grateful to be able to still have a job, but worried if my spouse can say the same thing. I am grateful for the family time with my children, but worried about their future as well. Tuning out social media and the news has brought me peace though and I've learned to live in the moment. Praying for us all.

Shaken

kirank1932 — 2020-03-26 02:54:35 UTC

I feel that we have been shaken to see that the world is always full of uncertainties. It worries me that there is an unknown factor taking over the lives of everyone around me. I feel that we have been given an abundance of information that everyone seems to be interpreting in their own way. I just know that I am staying home to keep our frontline workers safe.

Different Emotions

2020-03-26 03:43:19 UTC

Hello to all!
First, I would like to start off with my blessings: remotely working from home, my family's health, sleeping more, and have productivity.
Thankfully, both of my parents continue working. I went to visit my dad in Orange County and have kept in contact with him throughout the week; he is doing well. But I mostly worry for my mother's health due to her diabetes. I have stopped watching the news, do not log in to my social media accounts as often, and have tried to jog around the neighborhood at least 3 times a week. I feel the more I watched social media and the news, my anxiety got even worse. Its frustrating that not everyone is taking this situation seriously, but I can only pray that this is over soon.
On the bright side, I am definitely saving some money!
I pray that you and your families continue to be safe and healthy!

Nervous, but appreciative

tori_williams4 — 2020-03-26 05:02:48 UTC

Personally, I feel incredibly nervous as this time is definitely full of uncertainty - it is hard to be someone who can conduct research when there is so much unknown - I feel like each day there is a change and it's been hard to stay optimistic. I have felt very distracted and it has been very difficult to concentrate especially when so many of us are either working from home, or have lost jobs. Nonetheless, I am very thankful for my family, my job, my students, being able to continue with classes online for some consistency, and my faith. I hope each of you are doing well during this time - you all have been in my prayers.

Stressed

2020-03-30 02:30:59 UTC

Uncertain of what is going to happen next. The preschool has been closed for the last three weeks. Most of our families are scared to send their kids to school. I am not sure how long we could pay our teachers and I will get paid myself. Also, my husband lost his jog. I have two teenagers at home that I need to communicate all the time and assure them the everything is going to be ok.It is so hard for me to focus on anything lately.