These are unusual times. Living through a pandemic in 2020 wasn’t how I pictured this year, and looking back at the plans I posted earlier makes me smile at how naive those expectations were. I recently re-read my reflections on where the blog was heading and the analysis paralysis I felt, and the contrast between my plans and reality is stark.
We never returned to the classroom after March 13. That was the last day I taught a room full of brilliant, compassionate children. Shortly after, our state declared an extended emergency and shifted instruction to remote learning. In a district with limited broadband and significant geographic spread, the transition was especially difficult.
Kids who used to spend their days with read-alouds, sensory tables, recess, and hands-on STEM projects suddenly had large envelopes of worksheets instead. That change made me angry for a long while — the frustration hasn’t entirely passed — but I realized staying angry would accomplish little.
So when classroom life halted, I had choices: I could let news and fear take over, or I could focus on things that mattered to my health and happiness. With the house quiet from quarantine, I had the privacy to reflect deeply and make some changes. Here’s what happened.
I Found My Running Roots.
I started running again — a lot. April and May suddenly added up to more miles than I logged during all of last year. Pulling out old playlists and rereading past race reports helped reconnect me to why I started running in the first place. I even went back to my first running shoe brand after years of experimenting.
Running in shorts and skirts felt nostalgic — it reminded me of earlier years when running was simpler and more joyful. I’m back to signing up for virtual races, training consistently for them, and waking up excited to get out to the park or the trail. That daily anticipation has helped me reclaim the identity of “runner.”
I’ve lost weight. A lot.
With the changes in routine and renewed focus on movement and nutrition, I’ve dropped several sizes. Clothes I haven’t worn in years now fit comfortably. I can see my collarbones and defined muscle where there hadn’t been much definition before. I’ve gained confidence in tank tops and lighter clothing, and that confidence matters as much as the number on the scale.
And despite the weight loss, I haven’t lost shape where it matters to me — my body feels strong, and my clothes reflect that in ways that make day-to-day life more comfortable and more fun.
Waking up with a purpose and treating myself with intentional, daily habits contributed to these changes. Small, consistent choices added up to noticeable results over weeks and months.
I’m following a keto plan and intermittent fasting.
I adopted a low-carb approach combined with intermittent fasting. That includes monitoring blood sugar, reducing carbs to a low level, moderating protein, and relying on healthy fats for satiety. Extending my daily fasting window has become intuitive rather than restrictive, and the combination has improved my sleep, energy, and running performance.
These nutritional changes aren’t a magic fix, but paired with consistent training and better sleep, they have helped me feel physically and mentally stronger.
I’m practicing meditation
Incorporating meditation into my morning routine has had a profound effect. Simple breathing practices and a short period of focused quiet each day have improved my ability to manage stress, set intentions, and stay present. The Miracle Morning and similar books offer approachable ways to begin, and meditation has become a steady practice that supports my overall wellbeing.
I’m happy. Deeply content.
These shifts — regular running, improved nutrition, consistent sleep, and daily meditation — have brought a deep sense of contentment. I no longer feel the urge to hide these changes; I want to share them because they represent real, sustainable improvements in how I live each day.
Quarantine gave me space to recalibrate. It stripped away distractions and forced decisions. What started as a survival strategy has become a sustainable lifestyle: purposeful mornings, consistent movement, mindful eating, and a quieter mind. If anything has come out of these strange months, it’s a rediscovery of the habits that make me feel alive and content.