The Unending Cycle: Soup, Smoothies, and Sanity

Soup and Smoothies

By Sarah Sexton

08.02.21

Picture this: Sarah holds up an egg. “This is your brain,” she says. Then she cracks it into a frying pan. “And this is your brain during a pandemic!” Sizzle! Fried egg, fried brain. That’s how I feel this month, this year, deep into the pandemic.

Days blur into each other. When I say “the other day,” I could be referring to a few hours ago, a few days ago, or even a few months ago. It’s no joke. I can’t differentiate between units of time anymore. The pendulum of time swings fast and slow, all within 24 hours. My brain feels like it’s pedalling through pudding trying to recall information.

I can almost feel my brain cells dissolving as new problems arise in our old home. Everything seems to be breaking down here – blow dryers, headphones, chargers, appliances, plumbing, sanity.

Starting in lockdown #3, our master bedroom door refuses to shut. Ironically, my brain can’t sleep until the door is shut. Our room is small enough that I sit on my bed and try to shut the door. It pops open. Shut the door. Pops open. Shut the door. Pops open. Shut the door. Pops open. Shut the door… 15 minutes later… pops open. Shut the door.

Another recurring annoyance is our IKEA bed. It hasn’t acted up since we first assembled it, but it’s acting out again now. Every time I sit on the edge of the mattress or go to lay down, the wooden bed slats collapse, and so does the mattress.

You get what I mean? I’ve gained some lockdown weight. Many times, I fix the warped slats and rebalance them on the inner bed frame.

Laundry is a never-ending cycle. Despite my feelings towards laundry, I always strive to do a good job and have systems in place.

Probably the most frustrating thing is when I’m trying to use the bathroom. Without fail, one of my daughters or Steve calls my name.

Boom! Bedroom door pops open.

Tears often ensue. 

I made a vow to try to keep things simple.  Create a simple meal menu for the girls of smoothies and soup.  I am doing okay.  In fact, I am doing my best and that is good enough.