I started this blog at the beginning of lockdown in San Francisco, and my original commitment to posting daily was to have ended in 21 days. Of course, that was extended, and multiple times at that – so here we are at June 1.
My intent was to wrap up my daily posts yesterday, but the events of the weekend – both across the country and in my own personal world – took my attention. So now I find myself this evening, June 1, 2020, going over 77 days of posts and trying to decide if there’s any way to sum up my experience in this ongoing pandemic, and the once unimaginable ways in which our world has changed.
In many ways we seem to be in a worse position than when all of this began; as I type, I’m witnessing my country teeter on the brink of dictatorship and our divisive president spew some of the most outrageous and incendiary rhetoric I’ve ever heard in this country.
As you can surmise from my last week or so of posts, it has been a rough 10 days for me personally, the chaos of this country aside. I’ve been struggling with my own stability, which has been exacerbated by insomnia (which becomes a vicious circle). The addition of acute stress (Pinkerton’s accident, rioting, the death of my friend) to chronic stress (lockdown/pandemic) would put a strain on any system, and I have to be particularly mindful of the vulnerability of mine.
What can I say at this point?
Well, three things have become clearly apparent.
First, that the stress of the lockdown and now this civil unrest is enough to cause anxiety or depression for those without chronic/preexisting conditions. For those of us who live with GAD or panic disorder or major depressive disorder or bipolar, the effect is magnified exponentially.
It is critical, absolutely critical, that we practice the appropriate self care measures and be vigilant about any medical protocols. To not prioritize these things is not just detrimental to ourselves, but can have devastating impact on our loved ones. Our first priority is to look after our own well-being so that we are able to participate in the lives of others and do what we can to make a positive impact in our communities.
Second, that art, and music, is absolutely crucial in times like these. Art is not an indulgence, a flourish, an unnecessary extravagance. Music is what comforts us. Music is what connects us. Music is the personification of the good that is possible in the world. Music is the representation of the best parts of humanity. And we need to be reminded of those best parts to bolster our hope for a better time and to remind us of the good within all of us.
Finally, that the last 3 months have forced me to reframe a though that, try as I might, has dogged me throughout the years. I’ve experienced enough trauma (abuse, suicide, serious health issues) and made it to the other side to know that I have the resilience to survive a lot of things. But that doesn’t diminish the first thought that leaps up whenever I’m struck with another blow: Why me?
I’m sure we’ve all felt that before. And it’s only human to feel that we’ve been singled out to experience a hardship. It doesn’t feel fair.
Here’s the most important thing I’ve learned over the course of writing these 77 days: Why NOT me?
Things happen to us, things over which we have no control. And most often they happen without judgment. They don’t happen to make our lives difficult. They don’t happen to make us unhappy, waving a fist at the sky. They just fucking happen.
“Why me?” implies purpose, and there usually is none. Adversity doesn’t come with purpose. And when we can approach without judgment, we realize the real question is “Why not me?” Which ends up to be the most liberating question you can ask yourself, because it frees you from believing that bad things happen to you because you’re a bad person, or that bad things happen to you because the world is wicked and cruel.
Shit happens because shit happens. So why not me?
Thank you for coming along this particular part of the ride, my friends. I want to be clear that I’m not done with this blog. Rather, I’m moving away from the daily post format. While I enjoy the discipline of daily writing, by necessity it requires me to write in shorter form, because I only have so many hours a day to devote to it. I hope to keep discussing the effects of the pandemic on our lives, and our mental health, posting Monday and Thursday.
I also hope to return to writing on my other blog, Work Still in Progress. I’m going to be starting a different project there, with multiple parts, that I’ve wanted to pursue for several years now; I’ll let you know when I get that going.
Coronavirus Diary: Mental Health in a strange new world 
From one dog lover (who so sadly got word this morning one of my 12yo sons pupps was taken from him yesterday in a car incident, very similar size to Pinkerton sans the ears, Oscar’s pointy and stood on end) to another, I thank you Sarah for your openness, compassion and wisdom with this blog. I look forward to following you further and wish yourself, husband and Pinkerton all the very best.
Thank you.
LikeLike
A bit late to this, Graeme, and thank you for your well-wishes, and so sorry to hear about Oscar! As a fellow dog lover I’m a bit heartbroken
LikeLike
Dear Sarah
You will be a good writer after the pandemic all over,good luck leave the ccp virus!
LikeLike
Thank you for that lovely, honest post. Wishing the three of you all the best.
LikeLike
A belated thanks, Connie, and so nice to connect!
LikeLike
Sarah, In our circuitous journey through life, laced with unexpected turns, bends, and challenges. It seems each day is a race against the clock to accomplish our plans for the future, and each day we face new horizons that change our lives in the most unexpected ways.
Only in retrospection and introspection, can place value on those who taught us things of interest about them which affect the way we feel about ourselves. Your 78 days of daily blogs have opened the window to your knowledge of music, writing ability, and personal life. We’ve become virtual friends through sharing our stories, emotions, and your amazing resilience, persistence, and tenacity.
Thank you for sharing your story which I believe has touched all of us who read your daily blogs. With 5,000 friends who follow you on FB, it is unimaginable to become part of your inner circle on a daily basis, but I hope that my comments somehow benefited you in some small way. I will continue to follow your posts on Tuesday and Thursday and your “Musical Mystery” challenges.
The ride with you in your blogs has been interesting and invigorating each night. I’ve learned the word Japanise word “Shoganai” which helps in the unprecedented and surreal daily events. Stay strong, positive, resilient, and healthy.
W
LikeLike
I’m so glad “shoganai” has resonated, it’s one of those phrases that defies translation, but has so much meaning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your writing is a gift to us.
LikeLike
So kind of you Paul
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Maestra Sarah (Chère Cheffe d’Orchestre, notre bien aimée Maestra Sarah),
It has been indeed an honour and a privilege for me to know you and your family (including Pink of course) a bit more throughout your daily posts on your fascinating & interesting blog(s). I feel blessed to have discovered you ‘accidentally’ by watching on Youtube “Once upon a Time in the West” as you were acting as the Conductor of the DN (the fabulous Danish Orchestra). I considered it as a Magistral performance and project. Chef-d’Oeuvre artistique for me at least.
I will continue following you whatever what will be your schedule post’s plan(s) (Monday and Thursday, …).
That being said a colleague of mine told me that the incidents who happen or that we witness are closely related to our karma and the reincarnation’s principle. She is a christian but she believes in those two concepts. I respect it but I don’t believe in those two concepts or dogmas. For me it is too easy as an explanation for all the bad stuff who occur on the planet (on a personal level or on a collective level). I don’t want to judge or talk about any religion. I respect people’s religions. It is simply to say that I more agree with your point of view. Yes, “shit happens because shit happens. Why NOT me?”
Finally as we say in French, “Merde*”.
*It means “Sh!t” but we use it as “Good Luck/Bonne Chance”. Apparently many other spoken languages use “Merde (in French)” before a presentation (on theatre, before a show, game, speech,…). That term (Sh!t) is also known as the Cambrone’s word. It refers to Napoleon’s general (Cambrone) during the Waterloo battle. He was circled with his troops by the British army. He said something like ‘The emperor’s army battles to the end even if it has to die but never surrender. Merde!’ Merde was said to boost his troops’s moral and as a good luck’s sign. We all know the result of that battle. That’s why “Merde” is being used today as good luck to counteract the bad luck. For certain persons it is simply a stupid superstition and for others it is a must. At least we have the choice to decide in some open minded societies like America, Canada and many others. -30-
LikeLike
I actually use “merde” often in daily life, it has a wonderful dual meaning
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah, indeed there are days and hardships when even the insights of stoicism do not contribute with any comfort. In Danish, we have a saying, “En ulykke kommer sjaeldent alene” (one accident seldom arrives by itself) – with the subtext that after an intense series of bad stuff, things hopefully evolve. You are a couragious and giving person, who set a standard to look up to. Thank you for your writing. And for being You. I was very touched by your post. Your view on the role of music and art is so true. I wish you A Good Night’s Sleep.
LikeLike
I love this Danish saying, and think it is so true! Hoping that you are well in Denmark
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah- just got your post late & it made me ponder your own words: “ Music is the personification of the good that is possible in the world. Music is the representation of the best parts of humanity. And we need to be reminded of those best parts to bolster our hope for a better time and to remind us of the good within all of us.” Perhaps it’s time to take you perceptive introspections to heart? The plague is ending-time for rejoice! This is Not the first time in history humanity has been burned. But this much I do know- ‘tis a time for a te deum! Rejoice! Make music! You’ve got the guts & talent: USE IT! Me things Copeland’s Appalachian Spring is in order not a Requiem Mass! Get up! Get moving! San Francisco is not a representation of the World- it’s an abnormal microcosm that’s it! I know having just returned from a Global Mission for World Health. Your musical gifts bring joy to the World! You’re a wonder! So? Release your appearance scheduled please! I love the upper Midwest like Minnesnowota & Wisconsin. I’d love to just enjoyed the festivals there but the world of academia needed me more. After assessing gifts & talents- off to oxonii ‘‘twas I- plus Pontfifical Biblical Institute…I had a gift for translating ancient papyri into order- easy to me-but I soon found out ‘twas the not case for others. For whatever it’s worth I’ve read the Mahabharata in Sanskrit. The only reason I mention this stuff is because I adore the music you produce! You’re a gift to the the World- ditch the excess baggage & bring us all joy! So! What’s next for Sarah?🌹You are a beautiful flower- let ‘the hundred flowers bloom!”
LikeLiked by 1 person