Praying this letter finds you happy and healthy! I know there are a lot of mixed emotions as things start to reopen so here are my top 5 tips to keep in mind:
- Keep our local businesses in mind as you begin to start eating and shopping. They need our support desperately to rebound from the downtime.
- As you visit businesses be sure you check their websites, social media outlets or call them to verify any special instructions, requests, hours of operation, etc that may be in place. Some restaurants are continuing to just offer carryout/delivery for a little longer and some stores are requesting limited guests or that guests wear masks.
- Keep other people in mind as you begin to venture out. People's emotions are spanning from absolute "fear" to "it's just another day" and it will take a lot of time to adjust to our new normal. Do not be offended if someone else is not on the same page as you are. Try to imagine their point of view and spread as much love and happiness as you can muster.
- Smiles do not, I repeat, do not violate any social distancing or no-touch policies!! Find things that make you smile or laugh out loud and share them as you encounter others. Everything is so heavy right now and sometimes it can be hard to find on our own. Find your inner goofball and let the grins shine as you go about your errands!
- Whether you are interacting with a person in a line or a business employee/owner remember that patience is critical during this transition. Emotions are high and stress is rampant, so it will only take a spark to set someone off. If you find yourself in a situation try to take a deep breath and a mini-timeout. We're all human and have our shortcomings and we can all use a bit of grace as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters.
If you're like us and climbing the walls to get out and about remember that this will be a process and our world has changed drastically in a very short period of time. Venture out as you feel comfortable and try to take things easy. Go with the flow, be flexible and share joy. I will begin posting events and activities as I verify specifics with businesses.
Love and hugs,
Heather
