Issa panoramic. You never realize how much you rely on personal space until it’s seemingly taken away. We found out just how much we got on each other’s nerves. Fortunately we figured some stuff out that really helped us.
The first thing was to explore our space. Everyone needed a place they could get away from everyone else. The kids had their rooms so that was great. We also utilized our bedroom, living room, den, and back yard. We made sure to spend time away from each other as much as we spent time together.
We took some time to improve our spaces. Put in work on the front porch and the back yard so we had more options. We installed some WiFi mesh routers to improve connectivity throughout the house.
Another thing that helped was the fact the we were essential workers without an option to work from home completely. We still had to leave the house.
We took drives. We got dressed every day. We went outside. We cooked together. A lot of “we” in this post. We did have to sacrifice some personal time, some me time, some adult alone time, but we also started some new things we really enjoyed.
We started setting up little date nights. We would get some wine, put some music on and find random questions online. Then we took turns answering them. We learned a lot about each other and we had some good fun. That also fulfilled one of her love languages (quality time) and it led to one of my love languages (physical touch 😜). This time also helped us get the kids on track with their chores. It did not help get us on track with paying allowance.
We did fall into some common pitfalls. Spent too much money at BevMo trying out new cocktails. We ate way too much and kept falling back on the excuse that this is an unprecedented world event and we can use food and drink to help us cope. At some point we had to say no, this could easily get out of control.
It seems strange that we have adjusted to this new way of life. Masks, social distancing, vaccines, the Rise of the Karen, civil unrest, racial tension, political insanity. The list goes on and on. Don’t let your home be a source of stress. Let it be a place of comfort and rest.
Psalms 91:9-11 (KJV)
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
