Tag: living

What COVID Taught Me About Preparedness and Self-Care

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

I’ve adapted in simple but meaningful ways. Two parts of my routine that have changed are when I go grocery shopping—I now go during the day—and how I immediately wash my hands as soon as I get home. Since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which puts me in the compromised immune category, I’ve also become more cautious in public. I make a point to keep my hands away from my face when I’m out.

In February, I caught COVID for the second time. That experience reminded me how important it is to be prepared. Now, I make sure to keep over-the-counter medication on hand, just in case. These may seem like small changes, but they’ve become a meaningful part of how I look after my health.

Press Start to Relax: My Return to Video Games

After a year of recovery from a concussion, I’ve rediscovered the joy of gaming. Playing Sonic Colors has become my way to relax, recharge, and find balance between creativity and fun.

In a previous post, I shared my love for playing video games, a hobby I’ve enjoyed for as long as I can remember. What I didn’t realize, though, was just how much I missed it—until recently.

Last February, I had a concussion after accidentally slamming the back of my head against a bathroom cabinet door. The recovery process was anything but easy. Over the past year, I had to limit activities like writing, reading, and even using electronics to give my brain the time it needed to heal and reestablish its pathways.

Fast forward to late summer, and I’ve made great strides in my recovery. I’ve been focusing on writing and editing my novel, which has been both therapeutic and rewarding. But something was still missing—a way to truly unwind. That’s when I decided to return to one of my favorite pastimes: video games.

Let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer (pun intended). Picking up a controller again has brought me so much joy. For the first time in over a year, I can play without the fear of triggering a migraine.

Right now, I’m playing Sonic Colors, and I’m absolutely loving it. The vibrant worlds, fast-paced gameplay, and simple joy of exploring something new give my mind a much-needed break from the rigors of writing. It’s the perfect way to relax and recharge, helping me strike a balance between creativity and fun.

Returning to gaming has reminded me how important it is to make time for the things that bring us joy. Whether it’s writing, gaming, or something else entirely, having those moments to unwind can make all the difference.

Clean Walls with a Mop? I Tried It and Here’s What Happened

Have you ever used a mop to clean your walls? I tried it, and here’s what happened. Read on to find out how I did it, what I learned, and if I’d do it again.

When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

Introduction

When it comes to cleaning, I usually stick to the basics. But yesterday, I decided to try something new after watching a video that showed people using mops to clean walls. I thought, why not give it a shot? What could go wrong?

The Experiment

Last month, I bought a new mop, but it wasn’t one of those expensive ones. I went for a budget-friendly option, not wanting to overspend on a cleaning experiment. The video I saw made it look easy—just grab a mop, some cleaning solution, and go to town on your walls. So, I did just that.

The Process

I started in my bathroom, where the door and walls could use a good scrubbing. The mop made it easy to reach high spots, and it covered a lot of ground quickly. It did take a bit of muscle to scrub, though. The whole process was surprisingly simple, and I didn’t have to crawl on the floor or climb a ladder.

The Results

By the time I was done, I was feeling pretty sore. It was like a mini-workout, but the results were totally worth it. My bathroom door and hallway wall were sparkling clean, and I didn’t have to spend hours scrubbing with a sponge or cloth.

Would I Do It Again?

Even though I was a bit achy afterward, I think I would definitely use a mop to clean walls again. It’s a quick and efficient way to cover a lot of space. Plus, it’s easier on your back since you’re standing the whole time.

Your Turn

Have you ever used a mop to clean your walls? I’d love to hear about your experience. Share your cleaning tips in the comments, and let’s swap stories. Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective.

Resilient scribe

The reason I haven’t been posting much is that I’m recovering from a concussion. Back in February, I hit the back of my head on a cabinet door, resulting in a concussion.

On the advice of my doctors, I had to limit writing and screen time to allow my brain to heal over the past two months. Despite the restrictions, I chose to focus on my novel.

Now, I can handle writing for longer intervals, and my screen time has also increased.

I’m excited to be back to writing on my blog!

Learning to advocate for myself.

Describe something you learned in high school.

I learned how to advocate for myself to receive the accommodations I needed at school.

I went against the advice of the administration and the school counselors by pursuing a diagnosis for a learning disability. At that time, my school district refused to acknowledge it as dyslexia. When asked why, I explained that I was struggling to complete homework.

Their solution was simply to ‘try harder,’ to stop ‘wasting time,’ and to cease being ‘lazy.’ They refused to acknowledge my learning disability, citing my average state scores as evidence that I was passing.

What they refused to acknowledge was my struggle to complete homework and keep up with my reading. While my test scores were average, the school district ignored the fact that I was consistently the last one to finish my testing.

I finally received a diagnosis of a learning disability, and that was a turning point for me.