Wiggle Your Toes

Congratulations to all of us for making it through another week of this pandemic. I know it is not easy on anyone. And like everyone, I oscillate between tears / anxiety and laughter / savoring the quiet simplicity.  For us Natori Family, I am struggling with the fact that the kids and I are currently in Florida away from our own home and more importantly, without Ken. Ken has been at home in NYC dealing with business and as soon as he was planning on driving down to Florida to get us, the board of the building forbade him from coming as he was coming from the epicenter of the COVID crisis. So, here we are; managing, trying to get through one day at a time. It has not been easy on ANYONE — all the uncertainties, fears, unknowns. Running helps me. Talking to friends and family. Laughing with the kids. Mint Chip ice cream. Rollerskating with the sunset. Hot baths. Survivor on CBS…..But what has helped me most is advice my father told me — WIGGLE YOUR TOES.

TOES!

My father is always rational (sometimes TOO rational) and always likes to tackle problems by finding the solution. But with his voice of reason, comes soothing and calming. I enjoy all his findings of meanings in the world, and his take on any situation (and man do I love him oh so much). He is also a lover of the NYTimes (my main source of news, other than instagram, of course) and read an article on stress versus anxiety and how to manage it — and so he sent the family a summary of the article with the main take away: wiggle your toes. And as weird as it sounds, it works. When I am feeling anxious or stressed, I wiggle my toes. The simple movement of moving my toes helps refocus the energy, calms me, and breaks the anxiety loop. So, if you’re like me, not sure of what is to come, distressed, lonely, anxious: wiggle your toes.

This day helped, too.

Simple and easy, and I hope helpful, too. Most importantly, I hope everyone is healthy, safe, and happy, and wish everyone luck on another week of remote learning, social distancing, and isolation from loved ones near and far. We will get through it because we have no other choice. Stay well. Back atcha on Wednesday!