Life, Lately (and before COVID-19): March 2020

Well, a lot has certainly happened in the world since my last life update.

Obviously my life lately has looked very different than life a few weeks ago. More on that and how things currently look later. But let’s rewind to earlier this month…

I went to Nicaragua

My trip to Nicaragua happened just in the nick of time before everything got really crazy. I’ve talked a bit (okay maybe a lot) about this trip on Instagram. The trip was a 6-day fitness and yoga retreat to Nicaragua with Surf Yoga Beer, the same company I went to Portugal with this summer. As the name of the company suggests, there was some surfing, there was some yoga, and there was a lot of beer (and tequila.)

[Photo Credit: Martin Straschnoy]

Ironically enough I only participated in 1 of the things listed above on this trip. I’m a weak swimmer and not much of a drinker. But I certainly do love me some yoga.

I wasn’t planning on signing up for this trip to Nicaragua.

This fall and winter have been hard for me.  Although real talk: I’m embarrassed to admit that now because my problems feel SO small compared to what’s going on globally.

[Photo Credit: Martin Straschnoy]

Break-ups suck. They really do. I booked this trip to Nicaragua because I needed something to look forward to. I needed something to get me through winter and to the warmth of spring and summer  — my favorite seasons in NYC. A week on the beach sounded perfect and I had heard good things about SYB’s Nicaragua trip.

So I signed up not knowing anyone else signed up. A bold move for this introvert that isn’t great at making new friends 😂

I ended up having the most incredible week with a group of total strangers. Going alone forced me out of my comfort zone, big time. But I actually think I preferred traveling alone. It meant I really got to know everyone on my trip.

[Photo Credit: Martin Straschnoy]

The trip was just what I needed — warmth, the beach, new friends and LOTS of fish tacos. It also felt really really good to spend the week disconnected from social media.

If you’re thinking about going on a fitness retreat alone but you’re nervous, just do it. Trust me.

[Photo Credit: Martin Straschnoy]

My new teaching schedule

I saw the below quote on instagram and felt like it 100% described my life before ‘rona swept the nation:

SO CLOSE, but now we’re so far 😂 I say that half-joking… but it’s also kind of true! I feel like I was just hitting my groove with my new schedule teaching 16 permanent classes a week.

I’m hoping that when this is all over, whenever that is, I’ll be able to return to my same teaching schedule.

 

Life, Now

So, life right now during COVID-19.

Staying in NYC:

I’m still in NYC and decided to ultimately stay in my apartment rather than go to my parent’s in Westchester. Honestly, I’m a bit torn over whether or not I made the right choice.

I like that being in the city and in my apartment, I have moments during my day that feel “normal.” Cooking lunch in my kitchen while listening to a podcast feels normal. It’s what I’d be doing on a Monday afternoon no matter what. Watching RuPaul’s Drag Race on a Friday night. Reading on my couch. All of that feels normal, even during this strange time. Being in Westchester nothing would feel normal.

There are a lot of things still open in NYC. The grocery stores have been pretty well stocked by me. My favorite sushi place is open for takeout. Restaurants are even delivering margaritas…

I’ve lived in my apartment alone for almost 10 years. I’m used to being alone in my apartment, but this also feels super different.

There are moments when I definitely wish I wasn’t going through this alone. Yes, I know we’re all going through it together. Everyone’s life is flipped upside down. But I’d be lying if I wasn’t a bit jealous seeing people on instagram who are social distancing with another person, be it their significant other, parents, or roommate(s).

Finding a new normal:

So, what does life ACTUALLY look like lately for a single, unemployed gal during this strange strange time of social distancing?

I’ve been sleeping A LOT. I miss teaching but I don’t miss waking up at 5AM to teach early morning classes. Most days I’ve been shamelessly waking up at 10:30AM.

I’ve been easing into my day. Getting out of bed when there’s nothing you need to do is rough.

In my “normal” life I usually teach or workout first thing in the morning every day. In the beginning of being home, I tried to stick to my rule of working out first thing in the morning but I found myself dreading it. Right now I’m more of a fan of evening workouts for some reason. Hey, I’m rolling with it.

I go for a sanity walk every afternoon. It’s my favorite part of the day. During that time I’ll try to call someone or listen to a podcast.

In my 12 years of living here, I’ve NEVER seen the city as quiet as I’ve seen it the last two weeks. It’s both eerie, but I guess also good that people really are staying home.

And yes I’m staying 6 feet away from everyone, dad.

Some days I feel super productive. And other days — not so much. Today I had a really good productive day filming a workout video, answering emails, and getting organized with future content I need to create.

Yesterday I spent most of the day watching America’s Next Top Model…

I’m trying not to beat myself up over what I SHOULD be doing right now. All I need to do right now is survive.

I’m finding comfort in working out. I was really enjoying the streaming videos on Obe at first. I think they are amazing and will do a full review. But I found myself just wanting to workout in a way that felt familiar and that for me is The Bar Method. The studio I teach at has been hosting daily Livestream and IGTV classes for our members, which is what I’ve been doing most days.

I legit cried one day hearing my boss’s voice teach a livestream class, it just felt so comforting to workout with her even though she wasn’t literally in the room with me.

I hate that I have to say this but please please please do not beat yourself up if you’re not feeling motivated to workout. I’m SO sick of seeing jokes on instagram about getting fat. Please take care of yourself — but also don’t feel like you HAVE to be working out if that’s not what feels good for you right now.

There are good days. And there are bad days. And I’m sure many of you can relate to that feeling.

 

What I’m looking forward to…

It feels weird to not know how long this is going to last. I’ve slowly started to accept that my 30th birthday plans in May to see Hamilton and throw a party are going to be canceled. Does that mean I can pretend I’m still 29 for another year?? My upcoming trip to Italy was already canceled as were Passover plans and a million other things.

But I know there is SO much to look forward to. Even if I don’t know exactly when these things will happen. I’m looking forward to:

• teaching again.
• taking class again at my favorite studios.
• hugging my people — and I’m so NOT a touchy-feely person.
• hanging out with friends.
• getting brunch and dinner with my parents at our favorite places.
• seeing a broadway show.
• browsing my favorite bookstore.
• getting my nails done. I just really love when my nails are manicured 😂
• doing all those things I totally took for granted.

My list could literally go on and on…

✨

WHAT I’M WATCHING: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 — I’m rooting for Gigi, Jackie Cox, Jan and Heidi.

I’ve also already watched two seasons of America’s Next Top Model since quarantine started. My brain can’t handle anything that requires focus right now…

WHAT I’M READING: I finished “The Idea of You” this morning and it absolutely wrecked me. I’m currently experiencing a “book hangover” because of it. SO GOOD.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:  Maybe this is weird but I’m really finding comfort in podcasts that are talking about people’s personal experience during this time. I don’t want to watch the news all that much because it makes me more anxious, but I do like hearing others talk about their personal lives right now.

I’m still totally obsessed with Bad on Paper and like that they’ve been candidly speaking about COVID-19 and how they are dealing with it.

I loved this interview with Jen Gotch on the podcast Spiraling.

Gal Pals also had a really nice episode just chatting about what’s going on.