“What’s the deal? Did someone hijack Ann’s Rants?” my dad texted me. When you google Ann’s Rants these days, the number one search result gives you a photo of a woman wearing aviators, sporting massive cleavage, and packing an automatic rifle.
Someone did hijack Ann’s Rants, but probably not Uzi Babe. All my sites got corrupted due to being so elderly and neglected; decade-old links, custom themes no longer update-able, and a storyteller woefully exhausted of ranting on the internet. All three of my sites sat broken and abandoned all summer long, while I dragged my feet and ignored the problem. My friend (and designer of the iconic LTYM logo) Sarah Fite built new sites for me.
Hello, Again.
I started a blog in 2008. I called myself a Stay At Home Humorist. With little control over my own life, beholden to a toddler and preschooler and stuck inside most of the time, I desperately needed an outlet. Stuck inside. Little control over life. Beholden to others and needing an outlet? Hello Stay At Home Order. Hello, Again, Stay At Home life. My how your feet have grown (those are my size 8 running shoes in between the “boys” size 12 and size 13 mens).
Hello, Again, to an internet I appreciate anew. People are sharing their creativity and resources with so much heart and generosity. I feel a sense of unity that reminds me of my pre social-media internet days.
What’s Keeping My Spirits Up
- Severely limiting my news (checking once or twice a day, letting myself feel feelings, shutting it down)
- Getting outside every day for a family walk and for my own exercise
- I don’t think about the future. Not tomorrow, not next week. Today we are healthy and have everything we need will remain my pandemic mantra, God Willing. I hope this holds true for you and yours today, too
- Helping others by delivering food or supplies, buying local, and checking in when/where I can and feel up to it
- Deep work – I can’t emphasize this one enough. There are more pings to my phone than ever, and constant interruptions amp up my anxiety. I put my phone to sleep and work or do a puzzle or clean like a MOFO
- Cleaning like a MOFO
- When my anxiety peaks (daily) or when I wake up (most nights) I’m a big fan of youtube videos like this one and this one. I put in my earbuds and deep breathe. Did you know 20 minutes of belly-breathing is as restorative as an hour of sleep?
- Video chats. Seeing loved ones smiling faces gives me energy
- Connecting over stories. Thank you Dianne Wieler for having me as a guest on your podcast Mama Put Your Feet Up. It starts with a light story about my not getting eaten by an alligator over the holidays, some LTYM backstory, storytelling tips, book + Netflix recs, and lots of calm reflection to ease your day. I also contributed a story of my youthful shenanigans here. Mom and Dad you might want to skip this last one. No one tell my teenagers thanks
Stay healthy and Stay At Home, friends. Ann’s Rants lives here on annimig.com now. If you subscribe, you automatically got transferred here (thank you!). If you want to subscribe, simply text LISTEN to 33777