Dear World.

When you rearrange, make it meaningful and significant. Don’t rearrange just for the sake of rearranging. It would be as “pointless as rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.” In other words, why waste your time on frivolous activities which could be easily undone or do nothing to contribute to the solution of your problem?

– Susan C. Young

My whole mood has been completely off for a few weeks.

It has negatively impacted my drive to write and send you love letters.

It has affected my sleep patterns.

It has affected my eating habits.

It think it has even affected my deportment – as in – how I carry myself.

You’re probably wondering what I mean by deportment because I should be at home – you know, social distancing and all. I have been at home. So though I don’t need to be overly concerned about appearance, I am.

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My hair, my skin and even the clothes I’ve worn have depicted loom and gloom. From itchy scalp to breakouts to insomnia to keeping pajamas on all day.

I knew that something was off but the will to do anything about it eluded me.

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Altering

I’ve learned that altering your environment can change your mindset and the ripple effects have the ability to turn dullness and gloom on the upside.

So.

I started a project – a rearrangement project.

Me

Before actually rearranging, I started ‘at home’.

My skin got the attention I failed to give it and the breakouts reduced, I changed my clothes more often and I bathed more often.

No, I’m not nasty.

I did my laundry and attempts were made to consistently improve my eating habits.

The sleep patterns didn’t change much but I wasn’t expecting a miraculous next day change.

The Linen Closet

This is kinda where it all started.

Initially, I was just fed up of not being able to find my towels and sheets because the linen closet was a hot mess.

Everything in the closet was taken out – paired and categorised then returned.

Finally! All towels, sheets and other forms of linen were in their right spot. I was no longer losing my mind to find what I searched for.

But why stop there? It felt rather euphoric just rearranging inside that one piece of furniture. So, I took my desire to rearrange and applied it to my bedroom.

Bedroom

All kinds of furniture was lifted, pushed and pulled.

I wound up tossing old things, cleaning and polishing what needed it. Everything found a new spot.

You could’ve called me the Funriture Tetris Ninja as I did my thing to find balance and a sense of calm.

Therapy

Point is – rearranging and cleaning does for the mind what colouring/painting does. It taps into those feel good hormones (for me at least) and allows them to continuously regenerate.

Therapy clears up skin, works up a good sweat, helps with focus, it changes your body chemistry and reduces itchy scalps (but of course, I had to wash and moisturise my hair and scalp too).

I found myself being lost in the project. I felt grounded again and I got a decent workout in. Moving furniture on my own is no easy feat!

Totally consumed, I was in an oddly satisfying place of tranquility. My focus was top notch and I settled into a grove. Not only did I regain the flip side of gloominess but I was able to apply some lessons to the current situations of life.

But this letter isn’t really about me rearranging my linen closet.

Lessons in Rearrangement

Novel Coronavirus 2019

The presence of COVID-19 has turned our lives upside-down.

We are placed in a new reality that takes us from physically interacting with people to staying away. We are urged not to touch others We are under an indefinite curfew. We battle to understand and abide by the rules of essential versus non-essential.

The virus has crippled our ability to move freely. So much so that it could be perceived that we are prisoners in our own homes. But we can take it however we want.

The virus cannot move on its own. It moves with us. So if we stop moving and stay away from others for an extended period of time. All while practicing the proper hygenic behaviours – we can stop and defeat the ‘Rona.

How we navigate life has changed forever. We have to, now, rearrange our ideas and perceptions of what normal is.

Our habits will change and so will our behaviours.

It matters not if we are ready. But how soon will we adapt?

Signed neatly,

The Suburban Girl