I tried melatonin, but no luck. Collagen has been like a miracle.

I think this is exactly right, Serendipity --> " I think, for a lot of us, it's shattered our sense of security. It has also reinforced our feelings of gratitude. It has shone a light on the darker corners of our world that need addressing."

Now, if we can just keep the gratitude as we move forward, the world will be a tremendously better place.

For an optimistic extrovert like me, this has been hard.

I quit my job at the end of February because even then, I was getting scared. The nature of my job at the time meant I would be constantly exposed to anyone with the virus and having recovered from pneumonia once, if I got that again with the virus, I would not have survived.

It took me until mid-April to land a new job, but in the meantime I could not write a word, even though I had lots of time. I just felt so overwhelmed.

I started researching family history again. I learned more about ancestors and that made me happy. My mood started to improve, I cooked from scratch all the time and avoided going out at all.

But I was missing my siblings, friends and fellow writers. I am a hugger by nature. and this is the worst part of this whole ordeal.

My side hustle came to a screeching halt too. I missed interacting with people as much as the income.

But then I started to review my five year plan and where I wanted to be. I made plans, did research and re-committed to finishing one of several novels that are in draft. I have given myself until February to finish at least one and submit to a major contest.

Where I live, we are in Phase 2 of 3 and cases are down dramatically. I still wear a mask, but there are many who don't.

Today, I am much more optimistic that I was in March and I am ready to move forward in my writing, whether the pandemic lingers or not.

My husband, too.

Yvonne, did you catch the post Tiffany Yates Martin did a few months ago on all the writing related things we can do to further our work, even while we can't wholly focus on it? It was amazing, I just went and looked it up for you: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/04/how-to-become-a-better-writer-in-quarantine/.

And for your conversation class, I'll bet you aren't alone in the way you feel. Have you requested that they do a virtual option for all of you who aren't ready for the crowded meeting place? We've been pleasantly surprised by how many people are willing to offer that option. Good luck and STAY SAFE!

Thank you, Glenda! It is a very weird day today, in the middle of a very surreal time. The isolation is really getting to a lot of my friends. It's very hard when one is FORCED to be alone. It takes so much joy out of it, doesn't it?

Stay safe over there in South Africa. I hope you aren't hit hard with this virus. And do check in with us over the next month or so and let us know how it's going, In the meantime, you have a platform to build on!

I believe we can all get through this too, even though it's hard. And bravo to you on your short stories. That's wonderful news. Your novel will be there when you are ready to go back, and look at all those short pieces you will have to share and sell!

That's exactly it, Kris. When you write, lounge and work all in the same space, it gets harder to do any of them properly. I'm glad you're hanging in. We're lucky, you and I, in that we have other people in our houses. That's a pretty key thing to staving off the blues. My pals in isolation are having a much harder time.

Denise, I get so jealous of my husband's ability to go right to sleep. Thirty seconds after his head hits the pillow, he's snoring. *sigh*