Are We Reenacting "Groundhog Day?" 5 Ways to Break Out of the Time Warp Caused By the Pandemic by Noreen Braman

Traditionally, Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 each year and not thought about until the following year. But thanks to the 1993 Groundhog Day movie starring Bill Murray, the concept of falling into a Groundhog Day time warp is exactly how we’ve felt since 2020. There have been some reprieves, but to paraphrase Michael Corleone, “I thought I was out [of the pandemic, but COVID] sucked me back in!”

To create some novelty for yourself and your family, here are five ideas to escape the Groundhog Day rut:

1. Create a family calendar – maybe in a notebook – not of appointments and due dates, but of memories. Each night ask family members for one thing they liked that day. Or what unusual thing happened – the funnier the better. Use markers and stickers to decorate. Invent special days, such as, “Breakfast for Dinner Day.”
2. Write letters. Get some nice stationery and hand write a letter to someone and encourage a written response by enclosing blank stationery and a stamped envelope. For kids, see what cousin, grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative will be pen pals with them.
3. Get out and walk! In Scandinavian countries families walk; even after dark and even when it is very cold! The motto is “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!” Hats, scarves, gloves, boots and even your ever-present face mask will keep you warm.
4. Create a quiet space. Too much togetherness is real. Find a quiet place in the house where anyone can go to and have some personal time. Stock the area with water, some snacks, paper, pencil and crayons, and a pillow for putting your head down. Set a gentle-sounding timer for increments of 5, 10 or 15 minutes of “me time.”
5. Put on a show. I remember in the book Little Women the sisters and Laurie would often put on plays. This can be as simple as each family member sings a song, does a dance or tells a joke. Older children may wish to write and direct a production. Find appropriate props and costumes around the house, hold rehearsals and a final production. (Don’t forget to video!)

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