This year has been extremely stressful. Is there a place nearby you are able to drive to and enjoy a nice view or nature? I'm a heart transplant patient and often jump in my car and just drive. I live in Tucson and the mountains are all around us so I'll try to find a route to those amazing peaks. Or I might take a spin around our small downtown and the university. It helps clear my head and provides a needed outlet for all the inside isolation. I also zoom with my sisters every week. There are six of us and we share 16 children and 14 grandchildren. Lots to talk about. I hope you are able to find a way to find blessings in every day even when it's difficult.

Jk, I’m very sorry that things are working out this way. I’m living the same type of existence. My wife see’s many patients a day and has multiple exposures. I hate the stress it puts on her knowing how awful she would feel if she brings it home. I can say that’s a stress I’ve heard over and over again from other health care workers. From my perspective I understand the risks and support her working. If she gets it and brings it home I won’t for one second be mad or upset. In a pandemic there are no perfect outcomes. I would recommend trying not to look to far ahead. Take this challenge a day at a time. It’s important to still look for the positive things going on. Today I’ve taken great joy in watching all the videos of health care workers getting vaccinated. I learned that vaccine is arriving in Rochester and I’m really excited for all the people at Mayo getting the shot. They are so deserving. I remember all there kind faces and looks of reassurance as I felt my road narrowing. I’ve use the same strategy now that I used living with chronic condition before transplant. Every morning I make a list of 5 kind things I can do for friends or family. When I go to bed I review the list. Some days it’s not quite the same, many days it’s more. But one thing it does is keep me in a good and give a sense of worth while social distancing. Everyone in our situation needs a plan to keep attitude up. Jk I wish you the best. I will share one more article that has a little more information on why we are where we are with the vaccine.

@contentandwell, I am sorry for your situation. Have you ever tried starting a new hobby? I have found myself in a similar situation to you. I work from home, and I stay at home in case I should need to visit my immune compromised parents. I only venture out when necessary and found myself with the same isolating thoughts you express. I remembered back to days with my grandma who taught me how to crochet some 30 years ago, and I found a ball of yarn in the house and tried it again. Now I am "wasting" hours a day making stuff that probably no one wants (it really is a lost art). I find myself looking at the clock and hours have gone by. I know that people often poke fun at Pinterest, but there are literally 1000s of hobbies on there. You can order supplies from some craft stores and do curbside pickup.

Just an idea for you - take a peek online and find something you might like to do. YouTube can teach you almost anything you want to try! If I learned crochet, anyone can learn it. And I plan to donate all my scarves and blankets to our homeless shelter - keeps me busy, and keeps someone else warm. A double win!