I texted my neighbor the other day and asked her how she was doing and if she needed anything. She said ‘We are bored out of our minds.' I had to laugh. They are so used to going out and not being home. Is that how you feel too? Bored out of your mind!

Another friend of mine, in order to combat her boredom, got out boxes and boxes of old pictures and has spent her time sorting through them all – and now wants to scrapbook them. She has found something that has been on her to-do list…like forever, and she is now getting it done.

My daughter has been sorting through closets, drawers, and even doing a little ‘decorating' (moving around what she already owns). Something fresh and new for her.

What have YOU been doing during the quarantine?

While I was looking for a quote I came across the one above.  It wasn't exactly what I was looking for but it hit home with me.  As we enter our 4th month of quarantine, what does matter right now? Because there is so much noise. What matters to you?

Is it the sorting, the decorating or the cleaning? Or, is it the staying home so you don't get sick? Is it figuring out how to NOT close the doors of your business? Is it figuring out how to feed your family or pay your bills? Is it figuring out how to get along with your kids? Or your husband? Is it getting your hair colored or eating dinner at a restaurant? Because, in my mind all of those are important, depending on where you are in life.

I have always known what I love to do most (besides making cards) and that is seeing my family. Hanging together, lots of hugs and tons of laughter. Going out to dinner, taking the boat out on the lake with them or just sitting around and catching up. I would plan around all those visits or trips to see my mom, sister or kids. We would then plan the next vacations where we could all be together again.

During these past few months I have been encouraged (and sometimes told) that NONE of those things should matter anymore. NONE of my interests should be greater than fear of catching or spreading the virus. I needed to stay home. Period. So, I stayed home for 3 months.

But, now that the country is ‘opening up' and everyone (including me) is trying to figure out what to do….or what not to do….and how to do it….or not do it….

During all of this, I have come to realize that hanging with my family & friends matters to me…the most.

Above all else. But, how do I see my family or friends without them being fearful. How do I see them and not get sick? Or, get them sick.

So, how do I, Jane Shine, live my life without all the noise? Without all the distractions. How are you going to live your life without all the noise and all of the distractions? Or, are you going to stay home….forever.

After my 3 months at home, I began to wonder that since the country was opening up, if I was making a mistake staying home at all costs. Maybe I needed to be doing what matters to me….with a few more precautions (and taking others into consideration) than I took in January. Maybe I needed to figure out how to make that happen. Because I have realized that my life is valuable, but not at the expense of not living. Hiding is not a life. Fear is not a life. Staying confined is not a life. Worrying is not a life. Not seeing my family is not a life.

There are so many opinions about Covid-19 out there.  And the CDC has guidelines…they aren’t really sure either. Masks are still a HOT topic. Some people say ‘Stay at home, it's dangerous out there'. Others say ‘Hey, want to have dinner? I'll extend the table to it's full length.' Others say ‘We will stay home for 2 weeks and then we can come and see you.'

Plus, at this point, this virus may be around a long time. What does that even mean for us going forward?

Will my staying at home eradicate the Covid-19 virus?

Will my going out spread the virus? No one really knows for sure. So, the question for me is this: How do I live my life between those 2 questions and what matters to me? I don’t want to upset anyone or get them sick. I don’t want to be the reason someone is afraid. Only how do I navigate those waters when…everyone has a different fear factor.  Everyone has a different tolerance level. Everyone has a different health level. Everyone has a different ‘what matters' to them. So, what to do? Such a dilemma isn’t it? Do you feel the same…or is it just me?

Personally, I have come to this conclusion: I will continue to wear my mask so that others feel comfortable. I will continue to wash my hands and use hand sanitizer. I will continue to social distance. I will continue to Lysol all surfaces. But, I will see my family and approach that visit in a manner that makes them feel the most comfortable while continuing to Lysol all surfaces and wash my hands a million times a day. Hugs or no hugs – that is totally up to them.

How do you fell about all of this ? Where do you fit in? Do you think I am crazy because I want to get my hair cut and colored? Or want to go out to dinner?

Have you given any thought about what matters most to you?

I will wrap up with this…I encourage you to find out what matters to you. If that involves staying home and staying safe that is perfect. If that involves others, then maybe, just maybe, go and do it if you can. Because there is so much noise and it can be deafening. You need to do what is best for you….taking others into consideration as you go along….but still doing those things all the same.

PS – 2 of my kids and their spouses came to visit 2 weeks ago. Some we hugged. Some we did not. I think I smiled the whole time! And, my heart became full again. And, I Lysoled the whole house when they left.