How I'm Finding Joy During Uncertain Times

How are you doing, friends? We are doing well -  trying to make the most of these strange days we find ourselves in!

Uncertain times like these can manifest themselves in a myriad of ways... and some not so great, like fear, depression or sheer madness from staying home all day every day. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly every industry and has affected us all in different ways- from our health, to our finances, to our emotional wellbeing. In that vein I'd like to share one way it has impacted me personally, and what I'm doing to find joy in these uncertain times. 

My husband, Matt, and I were looking forward to our honeymoon in April. It was going to be the most luxe, extravagant vacation we had ever been on, because we had a lot to celebrate... us! We were going to spend two weeks in South Africa cage diving with great white sharks, seeing the Big 5 on safari, sipping wine in South African wine country, followed by a trip to the Seychelles for island hopping, scuba diving and relaxing on the white sandy beaches. We had been planning it for months and were crushed when we realized we wouldn't be able to go. 

I went through waves of emotion, from feeling sorry for myself, to being mad that our honeymoon was taken away from us, to now realizing that things happen and we just need to make the best of our situation. We will reschedule it for another time, but until then I'm focused on being happy in the moment.

So on that note... here are some things I've been doing at home that has sparked joy for me - I hope that if you're struggling these may help you too. 

1. Having a bouquet of fresh lilies on the counter - they are so beautiful and make our home smell amazing. I love waking up to see if new buds have opened.
2. Sipping tea. I've been making pots of loose leaf tea nonstop. My new go-to for stress + anxiety relief is our Let It Go herbal tisane. The organic lavender and chamomile are delicious together and offer calming aromatherapy benefits as well. 
3. Going for runs outside. It's been a sanity-saver to get outside and get some fresh air on nice days.
4. Repotting indoor plants. Many of my plants have never left the pot they arrived in, smh... but now I have no excuse not to repot them!
5. Cooking and baking. With the extra time at home it's been nice to create home cooked meals that are nourishing and delicious. Some favorites: Baked Salmon with Rosemary and Lemon, Chili, Chicken Curry over Cauliflower Rice, Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds, and Paleo Banana Bread (this mix by Simply Mills is my favorite - I add in a fresh banana and chia seeds and it's so delicious). If you want more inspiration check out the Steeped Series on our blog for delicious tea-infused recipes.
6. Virtual happy hours with friends. Getting to chat and see people's faces has been wonderful. Thank you Zoom and Facetime!
7. Movies and TV shows - I'm compiling a list of new ones to watch and would love to get some reco's! We recently watched Shawshank Redemption (LOVE) and are watching episodes of Homeland and This Is Us. 
8. Photography. We get gorgeous natural light and it's the perfect setting to take product photos. The cover photo and these photos are thanks to the quarantine! 
9. Working on new tea blends. I'm so excited to share these soon!
10. More things I'm planning to do - paint a picture (just need to find a wall for it first), work on a puzzle with my husband, and virtual yoga and workout classes.

How are you finding joy right now? Please share! I'd love to hear how you all are doing and add more joy-filled moments to my list. 

xx 

Theresa