Life in a box... 2 months later

It’s been 2 months since things have more or less shut down for me and my family.

Looking back in retrospect, a lot, and not a whole lot has transpired. I spent the first couple weeks - well call this Stage 1 - I was trying to make sense of it all and figure out what to do.

Stage 2 I shifted into a moping stay home and avoid things lifestyle. This got old quick and shortly after I decided I need to do something other than get up, watch the news, eat, and watch TV, spent a lot of time at the movie store.

That was lame and lazy.

Then in stage 3 I decided to start walking, maybe listen to some audio books. Then it progressed to “I really enjoy this, maybe I should set a goal.” Now I’ve gotten my goals in and I’m making great progress towards them, and now I need new goals!

Stage 4 is, now I need hobbies. I didn’t really have any hobbies before because I was too busy.... yes... I was too busy. My daily life was getting up, struggling to get 3 kids up, drop them off at different schools at different times. Commute to work, meeting, meeting, emails, meeting, emails. Then I would leave work drive back to pick my kids up from 3 different schools at 3 times, get home. Feed the dogs, night school for 1, cheer, orchestra, church meetings, school activities, and sometimes dinner! Weekends were spent folding laundry, cleaning, and maybe getting a fun activity in every once in awhile.

Now, I’ve got this time, and a true passion for making something happen. Gardening is such an addictive pleasure. Walking and listening to audio books and trying to learn about self improvement are also such a good release. I’ve been blowing and going since I was 21!! Never took time for myself, in and out of gyms but never consistently, never finishing books I started, and not really getting a chance to discover what made me tick!

These hobbies have given me purpose outside of only being a father. I would hate describing myself to people because I didn’t have much to say about Joe. So, now I’m onto stage five.

Stage 5 will be wood working. My dad has always built little things here and there and as much as I hate carpentry, I think I might like it. Either way we’re gonna find out. The only way to know if you like something is to fail at it and se of you want to keep trying.

The point I’m trying to make is, moving forward should always be a goal, at least for me. The world coming to a grinding halt only helped me realize, I don’t want to be stagnant. I want to keep moving, I don’t ever want to just find myself standing still ever again.

So, here goes nothing! 40 days to go...(maybe).