Many of us have been navigating the cold and flu. I’ve been ill, and it’s been hard to shake it. I don’t know whether it’s my fifty-one-year-old immune system or I’m too far removed from my childhood memories, but I feel like colds and flus linger much longer than they did when I was a child.

I also know the type of “bug” has evolved over the decades. But, wow, these days, the sniffles seem to linger on and on. It takes a while to feel like myself. When I share that I don’t feel well, others share that either they are recovering from something, or they know someone who has similar symptoms.

It used to be cold-and-flu season; now it feels like every season is either cold, flu, or COVID.

I’m sharing this with you to remind all of us to extend grace to ourselves, first, then to others. We have people who depend on us and responsibilities we commit to doing day in and day out. However, when we are ill, we must grant ourselves the grace to get behind on things, re-prioritize, or reorganize our lives.

It also requires us to help manage others’ expectations regarding what we can and cannot do. And doing that requires us to be honest about what we should and should not do.

It’s tough to see emails piling up and requests going unanswered. However, I have come to know that when we are smart, talented, and know our crafts, we can always catch up. That’s what puts my head back on the pillow when I want to drag a Kleenex and a trash can up to a computer desk to work. I can and will get caught up.

As you give yourself grace, you’ll find that it may become easy to offer that grace to others. We’re all dealing with something and navigating these unusual times. Exercise grace with yourself, so that “muscle” can withstand offering it to others.