Hey y’all. How are you doing? If your week has been lame, you’re feeling bummed, or you just need someone to talk to, drop a note on the “contact” page linked here. Ask the number of folks who’ve used it this past month- I enthusiastically respond to every message (honestly because I’m super duper excited to talk to y’all).

But all pen pals aside, I’m feeling

slumpy

this week.

Credit where credit is due, I survived another week, dutifully fed my children (the three ducks who noisily saunter by my window every morning), and did my job pretty well. I routinely exercised, drank nice wine, and checked in with some people I love. I’m a very fortunate person. But I’m still slumpy.

And that’s alright.

If you’ll allow me to drag you down here for a few minutes, I’d like to show you the benefits of this gray, swampy area known as my slump. Because in this not-so-enthusiastic place, I’m starting to gain a pretty good perspective on things. And perspective is about all I’m clinging to these days, as normalcy is pretty f*cking far away. I’m likening my slump to a swamp, which is so perfect for this week, because Kris learned this word in English this week and I learned it in German, so we were taking our nightly walk shouting “SWAMP!” and “SUMPF!” at every piece of land we passed.

Does anyone else feel like they’re stuck in a swamp?

Well, here’s your swamp guide here to tell you something pretty cool about swamps. They’re filled with ROOTS! And you know what I’ve been noticing lately? Now is a pretty fabulous time to get back to your roots (and no, I’m not just referring to your hair color).

I mean, when was the last time celebrities literally did not matter, the make of your car was irrelevant, and there was nothing to dress up for besides your own self worth? Y’all, now is the time to relish in your roots. Don’t get me wrong, not every day is filled with this rooted enlightenment, but I had this realization after spending a few too many hours on my computer, as of late.

You see, the funny thing about having a remote job and living the “digital nomad dream” is that you spend WAY too much time staring at screens. I spend about 8 hours every day solely communicating with my laptop, and while I really love my job, I can’t help but think this is not the best environment for my eyeballs. So when my work day is done, I run towards a change of scenery. I don’t want to Facetime. I don’t want to follow a YoutTube HIIT workout. And I certainly don’t want to check Facebook.

I want to be outside.

Come Friday night, I hop into bed like an eager child, knowing that the next day means a long run or bike ride, as those are about the only activities available in my little quarantine nook in Germany. No Instagram-worthy brunches. No #ootd. No weekend trip to a European city. Just me and mother nature (and Kris).

I can’t tell you the last time I actually looked forward to awkwardly peeing in the woods, mid-bike ride. Honestly, I use to be quite annoying about this. But this swampy, slumpy PERSPECTIVE has made me appreciate even the slightest change of scenery and hours spent outside. How lucky am I to have abundant green space and nature nearby, and how silly would it be to waste that gift? So give me a tissue and send me into a nice line of trees, dammit.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of roots, Kris pulled out a board game the other day, and I just about cried. Normally, I’m not a big board game fan, but this was SO EXCITING. A change of pace. A change of our nightly itinerary. And then we played again. And again. And again. (Ironic, because the game is called “noch mal” which literally means “again” in German.) And last Sunday afternoon, when the quarantine sun was shining bright, I put on my comfiest levi’s and a cute shirt because I wanted to, made an unfancy coffee with zero trace of latte art, sat next to our struggling garden in a generic outdoor chair, and played “Noch Mal” with Kris.

And felt like a freaking swamp queen.

So if you’re feeling bummed or overwhelmed these days, just know that my slumpy swamp and I totally understand. But the nice thing about each and every slumpy swamp, is that it’s YOURS! So do what you need to do to feel better. Get fresh air. Put on shoes that haven’t seen the light of day for 6 weeks. And bring out a board game! Because Instagram won’t solve this problem. No amount of screen time can cure it. And celebrities can’t do much of anything right now besides donate their money.

You do you, swamp master.

And maybe even throw on some jewelry, make a mediocre coffee, and call yourself a queen.

Important stuff

*I’m finding it hard to write about perspective in times like this, when the biggest eye-opener is how many people are quarantined without food. Without access to sanitary conditions. And without basic human rights. Please know that I’m aware of this, and if you are too, consider donating to the following charities:

-All Hands and Hearts

-The World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund

-Alight (what a beautiful name for a charity!)

-Give2Asia for everyone who’s taken a trip to Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. It’s time to lend a hand

How to Feel Like the Queen of Quarantine (Disclaimer: It sure ain't glamorous)

slumpy

Does anyone else feel like they’re stuck in a swamp?

I want to be outside.

And felt like a freaking swamp queen.

Important stuff