On Friday March 13th, I was leaving a newborn session when President Trump announced the state of emergency for our country due to the spread of Corona Virus. As you can imagine, that is a really big deal. I've been following the news on Covid-19 from day one because it has always been a really big concern for me because my oldest son has terrible Asthma.
I went straight to the grocery store and stocked up on dry and canned goods in preparation for a lock down because I knew I didn't want my family out and about to minimize our risk. I run a home studio for my photography and I didn't want people coming and going because the kids are now out of school as schools have been closed. On March 16th, I voluntarily closed my business. Took the rest of the week off for my day job. And planned to spend my time off focusing on homeschooling my boys.
On March 19th California Governor Newsom did the best thing for this state, He made the stay in shelter an official order. He took some great steps and led the way by closing down California. I'm really glad he took the steps to do what he did because when Washington and New York's numbers spiked, as soon as California came next, He became proactive and did what needed to be done!
State Capital- Sacramento, California. I took this photo from my car
This was 16 days ago. 16 DAYS. I know in my heart, the safest place is to be home. BUT. It has been a struggle. My kids have been really good, surprisingly they have not been fighting. Home schooling is going really well. We have a routine. It's been smooth... BUT... My mental health has been up and down and up and down. I'm a really big extrovert - I like people. I like being out and about and seeing people. So to confine me to a space where I can't socialize, its tough.
Homeschooling 4 kids. My two sons and the middle two boys are my nephews. I make up my own curriculum as I go because its easier teaching kids one subject then trying to get all boys on their individual classes. This day we learned about clouds.
I don't go to bars, I don't party with my friends. What I like to do is WORK and I like to walk around stores like Target, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Barnes and Noble, Home goods, ect.
So I had to sit down and do some brain storming. Ask myself, why am I itching to get out of the house. Why is it so hard for me to STAY HOME? I had to do some real soul searching. What I discovered is that I have some PTSD from when I was pregnant. For both my boys, I was put on strict bed rest early on due to high risk pregnancy. That was extremely difficult. By the time I had my second, I couldn't even be on my feet, I literally had to lay in bed most of the time. Both my boys were born in the NICU so I spent a lot of time in the hospital. With my second son, I went into pre-term labor before it was safe for him to be born, so then I was in the hospital for almost 3 weeks, on bed rest, by my self ( people came and visited but I was still in the hospital for weeks by myself) , until it was safe for him to be born on February 8th. It was really hard for me. Because of these event's, I've always been out and about. I can't stay confined to a space for two long.
People want to make us feel bad for not wanting to staying home. For needing to get out and get some fresh air. I GET IT. I've heard the judgement!
My husband all day tells me " Write down your goals for the day and do them. You'll feel better "
My oldest son tells me all the time " Mom, that's not essential, stay home"
All of my friends are working. Most of them are working from home now, but their working.
SO I THOUGHT - well let me go back to work, but then I decided not to because of the risk, but then I said ok, I need to go back to work. I work in a dental office and we have the best sterilization protocol ( the dental profession) . I'm not saying that to just say that. Ask any dental professional.
I realized, this is my new normal. What can I do to help myself get through this really difficult time of social isolation, BECAUSE I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I CAN'T JUST SIT AT HOME.
The other day, I really needed to do something for myself. So I was online shopping and I realized spending money is not going to fix my problem. What can I do safely? On the way home from seeing my mom, I noticed a beautiful area that I realized, one day this area will be gone. They are developing homes, I should go take a photo. SO I DID. In the distance is Antelope High School, a school my children will one day attend. In a year or so , this land will be filled with new homes.
Don Julio Road and Poker Lane.
I pulled over to the side and got onto the back of my truck and took photos. I had a great time. LOL. I didn't want to go home, so then I started to drive around and found my self in down town Sacramento.
I LOVE DOWN TOWN SACRAMENTO.
I've always loved the street art and I've always wanted to take photos of it but I couldn't because there were always so many cars and people. BUT this day, I could totally do it lol.
Beautiful Mural on P street and 16th Street
I realized, that I can get out and practice safety pre-cautions. Get out and get some fresh air you guys. You don't have to go into public places, but take a walk. Smell the fresh air. See strangers and say Hi. Everyone I passed by on my little excursion ,I smiled and said hi and they they did the same! Here I am locked up in my home, thinking this is my new norm but I see people out walking and enjoying the fresh air. Their not in groups, their not congregating and coughing and spreading germs like what the media is making it sound like.
People are taking walks because it's good for their mental health.
1601 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Chinese Food
Street art on 15th and C street. There is a homeless community near by.
1400 E St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Art, Coffee and Music!
Cesar Chavez Park
401 16th St, Sacramento, CA 95814