STARS: How To Voice Your Concerns if Something is Bothering you

I wish someone could tell me why we have scores of effective means of communication and we still cannot articulate when something is bothering us. If someone or something is hurting your spirit that badly, they need to know. Period.  

I like to give myself and the other person a few days to cool down. I then attempt to ask what's going on with them and their life. Remember it's not always about you. They could be undergoing a major setback and just cannot verbalize that to you. 

I like to meet and talk with folks face to face. That is another one of the many challenges of the pandemic. However there is a neutral place: the grocery store! I like to have a third party with me to mediate in case things go South. If a face to face meeting is possible, determine if you can use FaceTime, Zoom, etc or simply a traditional call.

I then like to take inventory on what I need to do on my end and what I would like for them to do in order for us to be able to coexist.  

I have found great results with these methods. At day's end, everyone has their voice heard and there are no secrets at all. 

STARS: Creative alternatives for fun during this pandemic

There are many things the pandemic has taken from us in 2020. This includes stuff like brunch with friends, sports, movies,  church, local festivals, amusement parks concerts, public pools, concerts, the gym (depending upon your state), cruises, international and domestic travel and the beach.

The worse thing I hate hearing is folks saying they're going to throw caution to the wind, not wear a mask to protect others and live their lives. 

Now since when did delaying vacations and traditional fun activities qualify as not living your life? Please someone give me an intelligent, thought out answer.

Here's what I'm recommending to those that feel they are missing out on to compensate in the interim. 

I would still be able to have brunch with friends. I would simply have a picnic at a park or church (some are open), only invite a few people and practice CDC guidelines. I would plan to meet small groups of friends at remote and essential locations such as the supermarket. Think about this, you want to maintain contact with your friends and family. I am doing this in small waves. 

I have found drive in theaters to go to in order to fill that void, and I watch everything on Netflix, Disney +, Hulu and HBO Max. ESPN + has lots of activities to fill my love for sports.  

I go to a gym in South Carolina and I attend in the middle of the night.  My work schedule allows perfectly for this and I can rebuild my form and relieve stress. Yard work and gardening helps also if you cannot get to a gym. Running and walking trails are also good alternates.

This is a good time for me and others to enjoy virtual concerts and quarantunes. I also am enjoying the Verzuz battles on IG Live and have been enjoying music from YouTube and Spotify. 

I have found it extremely possible to have fun,live my life and be safe. It's amazing what creativity and thinking outside of the box can do.