The best things on the internet this week #HurricaneIrma edition

So, I’m a little busy today, because (I don’t know if you’ve heard) but the biggest hurricane ever recorded is coming to Florida. And, you guessed it, I live in the middle of Florida. But, I still have some positive things to share this week!

1. #UnitedWeFan 

   Everybody Points their Fans at the Hurricane to Push it Away

   

   This is guaranteed to make you smile. This Facebook event was started as a lighthearted way to channel hurricane anxiety, and has really gone viral. I love it! And…if you’re reading this on Friday or Saturday – there might still be time – get your fan and point it at Irma! She could still change course!

   http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/internet-responds-fla-man-plan-blow-hurricane-irma-article-1.3480937
   https://www.facebook.com/events/281828308983096/permalink/284833662015894/
   https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/1584559544967497/

2. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center

   I am so grateful to have the National Hurricane Center. They have GREAT interactive maps that are updated regularly throughout the day. If you don’t like to watch your weather on television (because, let’s be honest, they’re a little hysterical) It is really nice to be able to look at unbiased information and see what your risk is and evaluate what you need to do.

3. Support Paid Family Leave on Labor Day

   I’m a big fan of Sheryl Sandberg. I think that she uses her voice and position as COO of Facebook to really help people who need a voice and an advocate, and I really admire that. This week, she co-wrote a Washington Post Op-Ed about the importance of paid family leave in our country. I think it’s a valuable read about an important issue. I’ve written a little about my own struggle to find a family/work/life balance here and I know what a difference it would have made to me to not feel like it was financially impossible to take some time off after my babies were born to recover and get my feet under me. I’m sure we’re all affected by this issue in one way or another, and I hope that paid family leave becomes a reality for everyone in our country.

4. Birthdays! 

   This week, my “baby” turned 2! I guess I’ll have to start referring to her as a toddler. But, I’m glad she’s here and doing well! And, you guessed it, she’s getting a hurricane for her birthday (and possibly a generator!)

5. Anxiety Management – I feel like I do an okay job managing the anxiety of every day life. But, for me, Hurricane Anxiety is the worst. There’s nothing you can do about it. Either the hurricane will hit or it won’t. Either it will cause a lot of damage or it won’t. I think that’s why I love the Blowing your fans at the Hurricane thing…it helps you feel like you’re doing something! Here are some anxiety management tips I share on my Facebook page, I think they apply to many types of existential anxiety – about politics, global warming, nuclear war, etc. 

   Hurricane Anxiety Management Tips:

   1) Check the weather at set intervals. Maybe every 3 hours. You will know if something changes, but for the most part, the 87 weather pages you’re checking all say the same thing.

   2) If you are staying, make sure you know some other people who are staying, so you can check in on each other.

   3) If you are friends with someone who is staying, assume they have a sane plan, and just be supportive of them. They’re very busy and don’t have the time or mental energy to explain their personal reasons for their person decision to you. Your job is to be supportive – if you’re worried about them, please ask someone who is not in the path of Irma to help you manage your anxiety on their behalf.

   4) If you’re leaving, staying, whatever – be nice. The people working at Target, the home supply stores, the grocery store, the gas station – they have homes, families, dogs, cats, friends and things that they are worried about and would like to be taking care of, too.

   5) Breathe. Big breath in, longer breath out. Do it 10 times.

   6) Make your worst case scenario plan – think about it, and do what you can to make it better.

   7) Remember – we’re all in this together. Love you all!

     

   If you’re in the path of Hurricane Irma, please take care! If not, please be supportive. It’s pretty scary!