How are you dealing with the Pandemic one year in?

The pandemic hit 12 months since the pandemic. How are you dealing with it?

     I think I've been dealing with the pandemic well in some ways, not so well in others. I still manage to exercise an hour a day most days, which helps. My kids have returned to school. When they come home there is a process to de-funk. Washing hand the moment anyone walks in the door has been part of our practice since I gave birth to my children. I read somewhere when my oldest was a baby that washing hands the moment you walk into your house is the best way to help prevent the spread of germs. We have been doing it since. Masks are a nuisance, but I take wearing them quite seriously. I am just grateful that such a simple item, the mask, can help protect us.

    The biggest impact of the pandemic has been on my career and writing. Reason number 1, my books in the Viralist Thriller Series are about a pandemic! Hour of Trial, book 1 was released in 2018. Unknown Hours, book 2 was released in 2019. Both long before Covid struck us. Draft 1 of book 3, Final Hours was finished before the end of 2019. Revisions are moving as a snail's pace. It has been difficult to complete since we are mid pandemic.

    Reason number 2 for the impact on my writing....my house was full until recently. Seriously, I had to hide to get a moment alone. An introvert surrounded by people is not a productive person. Some of those around me needed to be around others and choose me. Add a needy puppy to the mix and my brain was overloaded. I do love the close bond I have with my family but holy smokes! I need my time alone. It is when I can think. It is when I am productive, it is when I am creative.

   The impact on my career is heartbreaking. My clients are all small business owners. I am considered non-essential. I don't blame them, they too need to survive. Their businesses have been hugely impacted and some of them are hanging on by a thread. A pandemic was not in the plans for anyone, except the characters in my book of course.

   So I allowed my environment to impact me, instead of taking control of the situation. Basically, I turned into a marshmallow. I'm okay with it, but I do feel like a slug for not finishing my third book. I'm back on track to being myself. Revisions are moving slightly.

How about you? How did the pandemic affect you?