Ok, here we are many more weeks into self-isolation and spending exclusive time with our spouse / partner / family / pets / thoughts … whatever.

Is there a breaking point? Do we go a bit nuts with this isolation and/or exclusive contact??

YES!

Not all the time, but … I am feeling that, periodically, I am ready to pull mine (or someone else’s) hair out. It may not even be a real person or being.

Just AAAUUUUGGHH! (Hands on face)

As we know, communication is the key to any interaction. Take that key and try to fit it into every lock, all the time, in every circumstance. It doesn’t work.

My husband and I have been excelling at this enforced home time with each other (and our three cats – that, I have to say, provide some comedic relief).

That said, after all this time, there are signs of irritation for no reason coming to the surface. Shorter fuses.

My Life Tip #4 – What Do You Mean By That?? has fallen to the wayside.

We are in Uncharted Territory.

I’m sure we all are. Singles, families, couples, roommates, seniors.

Life is Strange and Different.

How do we deal with these new challenges. How do we deal with being with someone or more than one, or none, all the time??

Either way, I believe that this unique circumstance is forcing all of us to look inward.

To examine who we are, what picks us off and what we appreciate about ourselves and others.

It also forces the opportunity to evaluate our lives. That is a tough one.

Today’s (normal before Covid) world is so busy that not many of us have the real time to look at our homes, our relationships, our lives, our goals, our friends, our choices …

We run on the wheel and try to keep up without skidding out or falling off.

For better or worse, here we are now.

Time to slow down. Time to think.

Time to converse – with your spouse / partner / family / pets / self.

Here is where the GRRR comes in …

Spouse – That weird idiosyncrasy they had was cute is now irritating? GRRR

• Solution? If you can’t find the cute, try not to yell and go out of your way to understand they are in the same mindset.
• Hug

Partner -Business – You think your staff are screwing the pooch? No idea what they are doing working from home? Productivity? GRRR

• Give some leeway as they may be dealing with the above.
• Perhaps brainstorm ideas for when the world is again open – have an open Zoom day.
• No hugs – Me Too and all that …

Family – Everybody is needy. What do they expect of you???
GRRR.

• Connect – more than you have in the past when you were too busy.
• See how they are doing – You Have Time!
• Even if they are people that don’t think the way you do and lives have diverged, this is a Perfect Time and Reason to reconnect!
• Mend bridges that were burnt – Life is Fragile and Finite, as we now see…
• Make plans to get together if possible. Really, do it, life is short.

Pets – nothing to say here – Life’s Joy (except perhaps our cat Caesar who talks all the time) GRRR!

• Actually, no GRRR here at all – I was wrong.
• Love them, you are their everything.
• Life is better with them.

Self – this is a Big One and The Key to All! Yes, we will all be fat and pale and so-very-hesitant to break out … YIKES!

• Go Easy
• So will everyone else
• Be kind to yourself as well.

Give up the GRRR – understand when it happens that it is a passing aggravation. Understand that, primarily, it is really you trying to adapt to this New World.

Unless, of course, the person or thing giving you the GRRR feeling is a complete whack-job or dink-hole!!

Then, it’s not on you. Power on.

Be Well.