all is well (part II)

Appreciation is the highest vibration 💕

I’d like to start the second installment of my *all is well* series off by expressing my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all those who have made my quarantine life easier these past few weeks.

I’d like to start with the healthcare workers, nurses, doctors, hospital personnel, police officers, and everyone who is on the front lines playing a critical role in controlling the pandemic. Thank you for working hard to keep all of us safe. ✨

I’d also like to thank all the amazing people I had the opportunity to rendezvous with these past few weeks outside. Special shout out to the staff at my local Target for manning the shopping carts with an associate who sanitizes shopping carts for all customers who walk inside. Last Saturday, I went out for my weekly grocery run there and my experience was nothing short of memorable in the best way possible. I was greeted several times by several people in different sections of the store right down to the cashier who remembered me from several visits ago. She asked me, “Are you the one who bought an air fryer a while back?” I was so surprised she remembered me I told her: Yes, that’s me! How are you doing? I don’t remember the rest of the conversation but I do remember walking out of the store feeling like there’s a shred of light that’s glimmering through all of this. Thank you for doing your part to make me feel safe and welcomed while I’m gathering my supplies for the week. 💗

Last but not least, I’d like to thank the Amazon drivers who dropped off all my items with care. I actually got a text from a driver named Michael asking me where it’s safe to drop off my package. But that’s not all, all of my supplements, protein bars, and weights have arrived in perfect condition. Thank you for dropping all of my items with care. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything all of you do to allow me to stay at home. 💖

I’d also like to appreciate all the friends who’ve reached out to me during this time. In particular, I got the opportunity to re-connect with my friend Kimberly at Sophrosyne Health. We’ve known each other for years before finally meeting each other in February of 2019 for a coffee in San Jose. She just penned a post on staying sane on during the coronavirus pandemic if you’d like to check it out. 

The reason why we mesh so well is because we want to see each other win. 💞

None of this is a competition because there’s no way to cover the entire gamut of health and wellness (and do it well anyway). It’s about building community, sharing unique perspectives because we all come from different walks of life, and taking the nuggets that resonate to keep in our back pockets. ⚡

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I can’t wait to see the big things you’ll do Kim! Here’s a pic of us meeting in person because…pics or it didn’t happen, right? 💕

A recap of the week

Now that I’ve deliberately basked in my appreciation of all the good things I’ve got going for me, I’m ready to talk about the emotional rollercoaster ride this past week and give you a step-by-step guide to taking your power back. ⚡

While I do know deep down inside that there’s an abundance of light and wellness, I can’t help but stay informed. I’ve been watching a lot of Doctor Vuong on YouTube. Listening to him explain how the coronavirus kills you and his projections of coronavirus deaths by Easter has been very unsettling. 😱

Over the past few weeks, my mother has earned herself a Ph.D in pandemics and viruses from WeChat and YouTube which makes maintaining my vibration difficult to say the least. It has been a non-stop of shortage consciousness from her. The other day, she actually barged into my room and demanded I rush to Menards in early in the morning to buy N-95 masks. Um, the NURSES don’t even have masks let alone N-95 masks. What in the world do we need them for?! I didn’t go out that day. 🙄

I’ve also had a couple run-ins with people on social media too. Someone kept on spamming my feed with how COVID-19 is the worse thing ever because of blah blah blah. (Yeah yeah, quit your bitching.) Someone else started pushing their political agenda on my feed. Basically, just lots and lots of shortage consciousness going on and I’m done giving the things that don’t serve me air-time. 

Without further ado, I present to you 一 

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your Power Back During Quarantine With Pictures ⚡😎

If someone irks you in your feed, take a break from them. Here’s how you can do it on Facebook where everyone is now an expert in pandemics and the stock market.

Step 1: Go to their main Facebook page and select the ✓ right under their name. 

PRO-TIP: Do not feel bad when you do this. You’re saving yourself first. 

Step 2: Choose Take a Break or Unfriend.

PRO-TIP: They won’t know that you took action. Besides, who cares what they think?

Step 3: Choose how much you’d like to limit that person’s posts in your feed.

Step 4: Hit SAVE and repeat as needed.

PRO-TIP: You can always go back and allow them back into your feed once you feel like it. #winning

I’m happy to report this person only comes by to like my posts. I will also say that I’ve done this enough times that I *only* see memes, uplifting posts, seascapes, and baby goats in my feed. 🐐😻🌊🌈

Got great friends but someone at home is driving you k-razy? I got two things for you here.

Step 1: Go download a white noise generator app on your phone.

Type in white noise generator in the search bar. You’ll see that a bunch of them come up and most of them are free. I circled the one I’m currently using.

I use this app ✌different ways. I meditate or use it to tune out the “noise” at home while I’m working. 

When I meditate, I focus on my breathing while I listen to the embers burning. 3 breaths in, 5 breaths out. I set timer for 21 minutes with a plan of clearing my mind for 20 minutes. 15 minutes is ok too. <3.

When I need to concentrate while I’m working but there’s a Ph.D rambling on in the background, I listen to the same white noise.

Here’s what the inside of my white noise generator app looks like. There’s a lot of different noises to choose from and you can create different combinations of white noise too. I personally like the sound of burning embers because it makes me feel cozy. 🤗

A masterpiece & a work in progress

In terms of the things that I said I would do to stay sane this past week, here’s how I did. 

I broke my 7.5k step goal up into three 20-minute walks on the treadmill for one day. I also did 50 burpees that day too. Not all at once, 20 and then 30 during work breaks. I remember sleeping like a baby that night. I really need to do that more often.

As for work breaks, I took 1 out of the 10 that I have scheduled during the week. This entire quarantine experience has really caused me to focus on the things that I do want after all this ends.

I realize there won’t be a “normal” after all this but at the same time, everything is always working out for me.

My plans to make my 12/5/2020 WBFF bikini debut in Atlantic City are up in the air right now. I’m low-key scared to return back to the gyms *right after* quarantine lifts because of the undiagnosed cases and the people walking around incubating the virus. 😱

And that is ok.

I’ve always wanted to make my debut out in LA anyway. This year can be dedicated to looking like I compete and lining up with the other things that are important to me. I’m 1,500% ok with this. #higherfloorloweranxiety 👑

My heart is full because I got a chance to put it out there. For now, I’m flying high and feeling complete. ✨