I was temporarily furloughed on March 23rd. At first, I was angry, although I understood the reasoning. It took about a week or so to sink in, and then, when I started to think about it, I began to see the positives for some time off, whether welcome or not.
More time to read, more time to learn some new apps, more time to try out some delish recipes, and of course, more time to exercise.
Well, eight weeks later, even my stretchy pants don’t fit. I use a meal delivery service so I’m barely cooking, my idea of exercise is to check the mailbox, and I’ve downloaded a minimum of ten new apps that I have yet to master. As for reading? My most stimulating reads have been cookbooks (the irony!) and several series of criminal attorney who-dun-its.
What I’ve discovered during my forced hiatus, is that I get much more accomplished when I’m working and have to make time to fit in everything I want and have to do.
All of this downtime has made me lethargic, a little bitchy (I mean more than usual!), and quite the procrastinator. (No closets reorganized; no new flowers planted…) So… while I can’t say I’ve accomplished much during this unwelcome furlough, I can tell you, on the bright side, what I have gained (besides weight!)…
For starters, in the last two months, I’ve gained an invaluable reminder of just how lucky I am, so very lucky that everyone in the family, from New York, South Florida, South Carolina, and Maryland, is safe and healthy. (Please God keep them that way.) Not everyone can say that, and my heart breaks daily (I can barely watch the news) thinking about those who have lost loved ones. I can tell you that I will never again take one minute of being with my family for granted again.
I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation of my fellow humans. The spirit, the determination, the perseverance of humanity is uplifting. I hate to think it took this pandemic for me to be reminded of this, but however I got here, I’m grateful. (Sincere thank you to our frontline heroes!).
And finally, and perhaps most importantly, while I already mentioned family, I need to give a super shout out to my amazing husband.
He has put up with my rantings about being furloughed, my moodiness, my Sybil-like personality swings, and everything else I’ve laid on him.
I always knew he was a gem, but it’s times like these that I’m reminded he is the most brilliant of them all (If you see him, don’t mention I told you. I wouldn’t want him to get a big head!).
All in all, do I wish I’d crossed off some of those to-do items on my quarantine list? Absolutely. Am I going to keep beating myself over the fact I haven’t gotten much of anything done? Nope. Because there’s always tomorrow or the next day. (Oops – is that me procrastinating again?)
In the meantime, I can’t wait to hold my new grandson Jack Henry again, to hug the rest of the fam, to see coworkers, and to walk into the grocery store without a mask. And all of these things will happen. Maybe not tomorrow or the next day or even months, but it will happen. And that’s a fact.
Until then, I’ll do my best to spend less time on the couch, maybe attempt to organize one closet, and to even close down the furlough pity party.
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
And now… I invite you to check out my fellow blogger boss ladies, and their own Bright Side of Quarantine posts, by clicking on the links below. Happy reading and I’d love to hear your thoughts or comments on your own bright side of quarantine musings. I certainly hope you’ve discovered several.
Melanie Silkworth mels2ndact.com
Michele Linton hotflashandsass.com
Merry Lynch bravingmidlife.com
Nancy Weiss atwodrinkminimum.com
D’Arcy Vandenberg dear-darcy.com
Rosemary Davis distinctlysouthernstyle.com
Heidi Suydam simplyoursociety.com
Enjoy!!
64 Comments
Nancy Weiss
May 14, 2020 at 2:44 pmGwen I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know more about you. Looks like you really have found the bright side to life
Look forward to seeing more posts from you
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 3:37 pmSame, Nancy! So glad we’ve connected and looking forward to more fabulous posts!
Rosemary Davis
May 14, 2020 at 3:17 pmNow you know Gwen,
They say if you want something done, then give it to a busy person. You are busy enough, all the time.
I think that you have done exactly what you needed to do during the quarantine!
And oh what blessings! New Hubby and Jack Henry
I love reading your writing. This has been such a fun project!
Rosemary
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 3:36 pmYou are so sweet, Rosemary! So glad we’ve ‘met’ and connected through this community. Very much enjoying your postings!
Barbara Leibstone
May 14, 2020 at 4:19 pmAbsolutely loved your blog. It was informative, interesting and very funny. Keep writing girl. Proud Mom.
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 5:04 pmThanks mama! Love you! xoxo
Michele Linton
May 14, 2020 at 4:54 pmGood reminders Gwen! Glad that we have this opportunity to collaborate. And by the way, your grandson is adorable!!
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 5:03 pmThanks Michele! We think he’s pretty cute too, lol! So glad to get to know you here!
Heidi Suydam
May 14, 2020 at 6:04 pmI can relate! I am a procrastinator too and did not accomplish many (or really any!) projects around the house.
I enjoyed your Bright Side!
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 9:06 pmThanks so much Heidi! I have definitely gotten better! This blogger community is so inspiring!
Darcy
May 14, 2020 at 8:06 pmI loved your post! So many blessings in the storm!
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 9:06 pmYes – lots of blessings!! So happy to get to know you!
2young4emptynest
May 14, 2020 at 11:11 pmWonderful to meet you! Great blog! ❤️❤️❤️
Gwen Gottlieb
May 14, 2020 at 11:16 pmThank you so much! Appreciate the support. Looking forward to getting to know more fabulous woman in this community!
melanie silkworth
May 15, 2020 at 12:14 amGreat post, Gwen! You are using this time to do things you rarely get to do, so that’s not a bad thing. I can be a procrastinator at times and definitely work better under pressure. Glad to hear all in your family are doing well as can be expected<3
Melanie
Gwen Gottlieb
May 15, 2020 at 2:42 amMel, thanks so much! You are the reason I’m here right now, finally working on my site. I truly appreciate your passion in motivating your fellow midlife bloggers. You are ine special lady!
Michele Bellisari
May 16, 2020 at 9:19 pmI am so glad we met! You are a great blogger and of course love your Instagram. Thanks for sharing.
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June 24, 2020 at 4:05 amLike!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
Gwen Gottlieb
June 25, 2020 at 5:22 pmThank you so much for reading it! Much appreciated!
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