Finding my ‘Place’ While Staying at Home

Welcome to the world of staying at home! Like most families, we are abiding by our state’s orders to stay at home for over a month now. It’s been both a blessing and a challenge to have everyone under one roof for this length of time. Through it all, I’m still trying to figure out where I belong.  I’m seeking to find my ‘place’ while staying at home.

When Everything’s Not in Its Place

I love everything being in its place. I thrive when my house is neat and orderly, but these days it’s anything but that.  Now, it seems as though my little world is suddenly out of order in every way.

For example, my husband, my college-aged son, and my high school daughter are all working from home now. So, it was important that they have a designated place to do their work.  My husband’s new work space became the family office. My daughter’s new classroom is now our dining room. And, the basement has become my son’s new college classroom and campus.

Ok, now that my husband and kids are all settled with their places, what about me? How could I carve out a place of my own to work on my writing, pray, exercise, and simply to do things that I wanted to do?

I must admit that finding my place while staying at home is a work in progress. Sometimes I feel like a tennis ball getting bounced from one place to another. But, little by little, I’m finding where I belong while staying at home during this pandemic.

The Kitchen as Command Central

Nowadays, my main ‘place’ is the kitchen. In fact, the kitchen has become command central in our home not only for me but for my kiddos too. I must confess that I’m not always happy about the kitchen being the place where I spend most of my time. Don’t get me wrong — I do enjoy cooking. In fact, cooking dinner every night was routine for me well before the pandemic started.  However, once the stay at home orders went into effect, things changed.  Coming up with dinner ideas every single night seems more challenging now. Quite often, I don’t always have the ingredients I need on hand. And so many of the store shelves are empty making food shopping difficult as well as anxiety-producing.

I’m sure you are facing the same things too.

But, as much as I don’t always love my place in the kitchen these days, I’ve learned a few lessons during this time.

First and foremost, I’m far more appreciative of the food we do have. I’ve thought about the homeless. They don’t have food or shelter like I do. I think about the ones in a nearby city who line up outside the shelter to receive what might be their only meal for the day – a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I’ve thought about those who lost their jobs and are struggling to put food on the table financially.  So, not having an ingredient on hand or eating the same meals over and over again really isn’t that bad.  In fact, working with what I do have in the kitchen has brought me back to the basics — creating recipes using pantry items I have on hand instead of always searching for new recipes with new ingredients.

The funny thing is, once I’m immersed in the kitchen, (especially when I’m baking which is something I love), I actually enjoy it. The time flies by and before you know it, the kitchen has become my happy place once again.

And finally, who would have thought that my place in the kitchen would give me strength in an area where I’m definitely lacking — patience.  I’ve learned that since my college son has come home, the kitchen is the most important room in the house and it’s one whose doors are open 24/7.  This means that meal times are all over the place and so are the dishes … on the counter, in the sink, and jammed packed in the dishwasher. Yes, patience is the key to making sure my place in the kitchen continues to be a happy one.

My Bedroom as My Silent Retreat

When I’m not in the kitchen, I find my bedroom to be a place to relax and refresh. It’s where I spend my time writing, praying, watching TV, or reading. In essence, it’s a place I’ve found to do the things that I enjoy.

But sometimes it’s easy to take this place for granted too.  Just the other day, I found myself grumbling about this very space. The tiny desk where I do my writing felt small. I felt inpatient as the Wifi went in and out. And, I was frustrated by the frequent interruptions from my husband and kids. It appeared that this silent retreat didn’t feel so silent or refreshing after all.

But later that day, I was listening to stories on the news of how others are coping during this time.  Some don’t have a home to go to at all. Others live in tight quarters with one another or are trapped in an environment that isn’t peaceful. Suddenly, I felt very remorseful for taking the place I was in for granted.  It’s easy to get down about this way we are living right now.  The temptation to grumble or complain about what I don’t have or what I can’t do is always there.  But throughout these days, I’m keenly reminded that what’s most important is focusing on what I do have. Focusing on what’s right here in front of me – good health, a safe environment, and the support of a loving family.

Finding Strength in My Basement

One of my most favorite places these days is the basement. I know that sounds odd but it’s really where I’m finding my strength (literally) because it’s where I’ve begun my exercise routine. Yipee! I’ve wanted to exercise consistently for a while now, and thanks to our stay at home orders, I’ve found the discipline and place to do it.  Many companies have graciously offered their products for free at this time (look for a blog post on this soon). As a result, I’ve been able to try out different exercise routines such as strength training, yoga, walking, running, cycling, and meditation. What a joy it has been to try something new! And how empowering it is to feel encouraged and supported in making fitness a part of my daily routine. I’ve found that this has helped me feel better mentally too.

Where I’m Meant to Be

I think God is calling us, myself included, to be content right where we are in whatever ‘place’ we find ourselves in. For me, that may be waking up to crumbs on the counter from my son’s late night snack the night before. Or relaxing and reading a book in the quiet of my room. Each day may feel the same, but as I wake up and see the sun shine through my kitchen window, I’m reminded that a new day has begun. And so has a new adventure of finding my place while staying at home. I’ve come to learn that it doesn’t really matter where my place is that day because I know it’s exactly where God wants me to be.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

How are you finding your place while staying at home? Please share in the comments section below.