It’s kinda ironic that now that I have more time to blog, my motivation ain’t there. Ah, let me clarify that statement: my motivation to blog about topics I normally share ain’t there. My thoughts are full of worry. My body is laced with anxiety. My GERD is acting up on and off, which means I’m more nervous than usual, and this isn’t really good for my overall health. The news about the virus looming and the inability of the government to respond adequately sure ain’t gonna appease my overthinking mind. Then maybe it’s time for me to stop. Pull the breaks from information overload. I did mention that I want to find tranquility in these trying times. What do you guys do to keep your mental health in check? Especially during a pandemic?

I want to start journaling again. I was supposed to buy a new printer so I could print out pretty art & stickers for my journal, but boom, quarantine, said the government. Even though I’m super reluctant with the whole thing (and not because I want to disobey, but this lockdown is more of a bandaid solution if mass testing is still up in the air), I’ll follow and postpone my plans. The health of everybody is important. So instead, I’m just gonna do some planning since I love doing that.

In all honesty, my life is moving normally, even though we’re staying indoors 100% of the time. Like I said, I’m a hermit; therefore, this whole thing shouldn’t be a big deal to me. But what about the month after? What happens next? That always crosses my mind, and that’s why, even though only little has changed in the meantime, I can’t help but still worry. So I also need to keep my sanity intact. I need to channel all of this information out, even for a few hours a day, so I can check on my mental health. So instead I’m watching home makeovers and desk tours because I’ve been wanting to give my workspace some makeovers, and maybe soon I can give you a tour. Yes?). I’ve been bookmarking some pretty inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. I’ve been planning and planning. Since our travel plans are cancelled indefinitely, maybe I can channel some of my plans toward this overdue space makeover.

I also started doing my illustrations again. Yesterday (this is real-time blogging; my posts for March are saved for later) I attempted to do some street East Asian fashion. I am also slowly reorganizing my portfolio, which should be up in the next couple of weeks. My work continues, so it’s not that my life went to a standstill. And busyness keeps me occupied, hence not thinking about it. And the reason why I’ve decided to post these spur-of-the-moment thoughts is because, in a way, dumping this heavy load is refreshing! I feel a little lighter.

Since most of us have nothing during the quarantine, sometimes we’re too glued to our social media accounts, and the information we see is kind of overwhelming and affects our mental health. Like me, for instance, constant reminders about health issues make my hypochondriac self drive into overdrive. So sometimes you need to pause. Do something else, or if emotions are too much, write a blog about it. Like me, you were finally able to release this pent-up emotion.