The One Where Pandemic Knocked Me Down and Out

Do you know what I couldn’t have predicted in a million years when I was thinking through the potential roadblocks for hitting my goals last year when working on my 2020 blogging plans? A global pandemic.

TL;DR: This year had me down and out, but I’m excited to be back blogging again. I have a list of things I plan on sharing including some home projects and Covid-safe celebrations. I’d love to know what YOU wish to see in my upcoming posts… cause, after all, this blog is for you! Please take a moment to fill out this SUPER short form to let me know what you want to see!

It has been nearly a year since my last post. I stopped posting around March 16th which was a week after lockdown began for me. At the time I even hired a few people who had lost their jobs due to the lockdown with full intentions of continuing my work here. Thing is… my day job is in healthcare.

These rolling 12 months have been some of the hardest working months of my life. Harder than 4 jobs and full-time college courses. Harder than changing careers. Harder than going back after having a baby. And, me… I had it good compared to others in my field.

After sometimes 70 hours of looking at computers for my day job—often dealing with things like Covid restrictions, angry online commenters, fear for coworkers, etc.—the idea of looking at a computer for my own work felt almost impossible. But, even when I got around the gumption to open my laptop I’d sit there and stare at a screen not knowing what to write.

This year it felt like work to celebrate.

This blog has always been a space about celebration in one way or another. Even though I knew people would want to have ways to celebrate safely, things to cook for a family, ways to connect over the internet… I knew that those would be good and appropriate things to write about. I just couldn’t celebrate.

Finally though, finally I see a bit of light at the end of this long tunnel. I don’t know what my head will do with this year and how it will translate in this blog. For now though, I thought I’d share a few highlights from the year that I hope to share in more detail over the next few months.

Coming Soon: Home Projects

Being at home and unable to stare at a computer any more than I already was… I did a lot of home improvement projects! We made improvements in several spaces this year and I am proud of our DIY spirit and the overall results. Recent home projects include:

Shared Kids Bedroom

Front Door Update

Family Room/ Multipurpose Room

Home Gym

Coming Soon: My Society 6 Shop

I’ve been using art as a coping mechanism my entire life. This year it has become essential. I’ve started putting some of my recent designs into a Society6 shop and am working on a few more fun projects. The Society6 Shop is live, but I plan on sharing more of my work this year.

Coming Soon: Food and Cocktails

Girl’s gotta eat. With the entire family home all day, every day I have for sure been cooking up a storm of recipes. From seasonal drinks to weeknight eats, I plan to share my favorites.

Coming Soon: Tips for Safe Celebrations

While there is light at the end of the tunnel we are looking at possibly years of needing to be safer in our celebrations. Even when the world goes back to normal I hope that some things like Zoom parties stay around occasionally so that we can celebrate with people that are too far to get together in person. This year we did zoom parties for birthdays and (when it was allowed) very small outdoor, socially distanced get togethers with friends.

While there is plenty to share, I really don’t want to share things unless it will be of use and interest to you! So, please take just a moment to fill out this very short form as to what you’d like to see out of A Well Crafted Party in 2021!

Thank you… and, here is to a better 12 months than the last!