Feeling All The Feels

Living through a Pandemic is hard enough in itself. So many have lost loved ones, jobs, homes, physical and mental health, and we have all experienced isolation. Another problem with living through a Pandemic is that Life is still happening. Life is not always easy. I can hear my Mom's voice saying to me as a teen, "No one ever said life would be easy Kathy." I am 100% sure I've used that line on my girls. But it's true. Living life's ups and downs felt more manageable before Covid.

Everything feels extreme right now. I don't think I am alone in noticing this. Emotions are more pronounced. The highs are super high and the lows are unbearable. Never have I sensed and witnessed in the world, such happiness, joy, contentment, anxiety, fear, anger, love, care, grief, and sadness. It has become common to experience multiple emotions simultaneously.

I am the type that Feels all of the feels. I am lucky to have some friends that share that curse or blessing with me, depending on how you look at it. I feel people's feels and empathize with them. If they are sad, I am sad. If they are angry, I am angry with them. If they are happy, I am happy. Everything feels extreme after a year of a Pandemic. I love my morning quiet coffee time, of devotions, news, candles, and getting my head on straight before I walk out the door. Right now I LOVE my quiet morning coffee time and I want to marry coffee! Coffee is absolutely one of the best things on this Earth. Don't even think of messing with my coffee. Extreme.

I have always loved weekends, who doesn't, right? Right now, I LOVE my weekends! I want to get down on my knees on Saturday morning and sing praises to Saturday. Thank you Saturday, thank you for being here, and thank you for being You, Saturday. Extreme.

I am a School Administrator. I love what I do. I love our Staff. I love our Students and Families. Being a person who feels all the feels does not make my job easy. Neither does Covid. I want to fix it all, but I can't. I want to make everyone happy, but I can't. I want to give everyone what they want or need, but I can't. What I do know, is that I work with people who are doing absolutely everything they can do. We have been on the front line. We didn't ask for that, it just happened. We keep showing up and we keep doing what needs to be done. Extreme feelings and all. Some days are easier than others. Being able to see and interact with students is appreciated now more than ever. Being able to sit and talk with a colleague in the same room now, is a gift. Extreme.

If you have not recently laughed so hard that you cried, I highly recommend it. Call that friend or relative that you can do that with Now. Last night I was with my Mom and sisters at one of our favorite pizza places. We haven't been able to do this in over a year. We were giddy with laughter and excitement. The waitress greeted us like a long-lost friend. When we got our wine, we toasted to celebrate the moment. It was extreme. The best part was when we started laughing, at my expense as usual. We were laughing about an incident that happened to me. We met before dinner to do some lingerie shopping. Sounds strange but that's what sisters and Moms do. We buy bras together and then go out for pizza and wine on a Friday night. I wish I could go into more detail, but it's best that I don't. There are tears in my eyes now of laughter just replaying it in my head. My point is this: It never felt so good to laugh so hard that we cried. It was fun. It was therapeutic. It was extreme and I LOVED every minute of it. I still feel the feel of a high from last night almost like a runner feels after a run.

My friends, feel all the feels, extreme as they are right now. Recognize them, name them, own them, feel them, let go of them, and move on. Stay present and take care of yourself. You are the only one who can.

Show Extreme Kindness. Give Extreme Grace and Forgiveness. Love each other in an Extreme Way.

Peacing Out For Now,

Stay Healthy in Body and Mind,

Kath