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I was out walking today… doing what I could to practice self care in the midst of helicopters circling overhead, sirens on a regular basis and protesters up and down the streets. I came across some graffiti (more like intentional artwork) with a very positive vibe!😊❤️☮️

Even an introvert like me needs connection.

During what has proven to be a very stressful time, with everything that’s currently going on in the world related to the pandemic, I’ve done everything I can to practice self care.

Today I connected with nature, and back to myself. It was a good feeling, since I’ve felt a bit lost and disconnected lately. Getting outside in nature is one of my favorite places to practice self care. I listened to the birds chirping – I saw flowers blooming and a budding branch canopy above me – I smelled the damp earth beneath my feet – I leaned into a tree and hugged it long and hard, getting as close as I could, and thoroughly enjoying the connection – I laid on the grass, looking up at the branches swaying in the breeze, and watched the clouds as they rolled by… effectively grounded myself.

To all you extroverts out there, I can only imagine how you’re feeling. Hang in there! I hear more businesses will be safely opening very soon. Providing you the opportunity to get out and connect with others in person while establishing new social distancing procedures after staying-at-home.

I encourage you to do everything you can to practice self care on a regular basis – it’s more important than ever! Get outside in nature, meditate, breathe deeply, practice yoga, watch a funny movie, read a good book, cook a healthy meal. Find enjoyable activities that relax you and create new routines that promote a self care lifestyle. One you can sustain when things go back to normal. Although, I’m thinking that going back to normal will be a process of creating a new normal. I recommend looking at this time as a chance to create a new, and perhaps better, foundation that puts self care first.

When we think of self care, we need to think of ourselves first. This is not selfish; it is necessary and it is our responsibility to build a firm foundation in which to live, interact and work. Being our best for ourselves has to be first so we can then be our best for our family, friends, community and world.

My goal in sharing is always to support and encourage others. If you found this blog helpful, please share. Let’s focus on doing what we can to support each other during a challenging time.

Until next time, Laura Li Lifestyle

In my last blog, I mentioned that with everything going on in the world, I’ve felt loss – the loss of not having plans and feeling on hold to make plans. This is hitting me today, as I think about Mother’s Day, and knowing I won’t physically see both my kids, which makes me feel sad. I’ll be the first to admit this is not a big problem, and that physically seeing both of my kids doesn’t always happen on Mother’s Day anyway, since they’re both grown. I think what’s making me feel most sad, is knowing I can’t make the necessary travel plans, with the stay-at-home orders still in place.

Are you experiencing any loss or sadness from not having plans and feeling on hold to make plans? Maybe it’s your regular weekly routines and activities, like going to the gym, church, shopping and meeting family or friends for a meal?… Maybe it’s a bigger event, such as a graduation, wedding or the birth of a baby?… Maybe it’s a concert, holiday or airline travel to your next big adventure?…

It’s okay to feel loss and sadness for missed opportunities, delayed plans and cancelled events. As well as stress over thinking about when you’ll have the chance to make plans, commit to meeting people, or schedule that next big travel adventure.

In addition, for many people, there is a great deal of uncertainly that comes with not having plans and not being able to make plans. Not having our normal schedules that we count on to keep us on track. On track to accomplish daily responsibilities, meet deadlines and reach goals. Along with uncertainty, people can experience lack of energy, direction and purpose, because life isn’t looking or feeling like it used to or how they want it to. Then comes fear of the unknown, what’s next in the process and how will I adjust to the new normal?! It can all feel a bit too much at times, and has for me.

I encourage you to practice self care as much as possible. There is no better time than now! Breathe… Pay attention to how you feel – don’t disregard your feelings and also don’t take them too seriously. If you need support, reach out and get it. There are many caring family members, friends and organizations prepared and ready to help. It might surprise you that others feel similar. Too often when we feel loss, sadness and stress, we feel alone, and we shouldn’t!

Know for sure that many times the changes that come from challenges are also accompanied by new possibilities, exciting opportunities and unimaginable silver linings.

My goal in sharing is always to support and encourage others. If you found this blog helpful, please share. Let’s focus on doing what we can to support each other during a challenging time.

Until next time, Laura Li Lifestyle

In the last two weeks my life hasn’t changed as much as others. With a stay-at-home order in place for the state of Colorado, that means many are working from home. Restaurants are closed (some are still available for take-out), bars are closed, and most retail stores are closed.

As an airline employee, I am considered an essential worker, so I am still going to work as normal. That said, work has been anything but normal!

In a matter of just a few weeks, normally busy train platforms, restaurants, stores, gate areas and security check points are strangely empty.

To our passengers, We miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. For now, please stay at home, safe and healthy. If you have an emergency and need to travel, we are here for you and will always connect you to what’s important in your lives.

In the meantime, when you do leave your homes to do essential activities – practice social distancing, be kind to one another, only buy what you need, shop small businesses whenever possible and order take-out from your favorite restaurants if they’re offering it.

We will get through this together.

Laura Li Lifestyle

In two weeks… A lot has changed!

For starters, I moved from an apartment home I lived in for almost three years. A home I loved and that worked well for my family and I. The move was by choice, but still moving is a lot of work, requires time and energy to plan, and is still change. And even good change can be challenging. Prior to our move, the virus was in the news, but the full impact had not been felt yet, and still hasn’t. There were funny posts on social media about stores running out of toilet paper and other essential items, but nothing was closed down yet, and there were no stay-at-home orders.

The location I moved to is in a very busy and vibrant downtown area with many different businesses, retail shops, restaurants, bars and a movie theater. Shortly after the move, all restaurants, bars and retail stores were ordered to close to slow the spread of the virus. Then came the stay-at-home order. Now, the normally very busy and vibrant downtown area is strangely quiet!

To create a sense of comfort and safety in my new home, I worked very hard to get everything unpacked, organized and in its place. That included hanging prayer flags. Putting up two small Christmas trees that are always up and decorated (that’s a different story and blog). And organizing my favorite rocks and nature items. Doing these activities helped me in establishing the feeling of comfort and safety I desperately needed in the midst of change and the challenges of moving. In addition, organizing my favorite rocks and nature items, was incredibly meditative and therapeutic.

Can you relate to the necessity of creating the feeling of comfort and safety in the midst of change and life transitions that can cause stress and anxiety?

There is no better time than now to think about what activities you do to create the feeling of comfort and safety in your home. The answers are ways you practice self care.

Join me for conversations like this here and on my Facebook pages. You can find those links on my About Page.

I look forward to staying connected, sharing, supporting and encouraging each other. You are worth a self care conversation!

Laura Li Lifestyle

P.S. It’s nice to be back. Meaning, I haven’t written a blog in months! I have been busy working on a project which was all consuming. I published a Journal, which I am happy to say, is available for purchase on Amazon in paperback and eBook versions. The link to learn more about and purchase is on my Journal Page.