I am a creature of habit.

I go to yoga, stop for fresh produce and get a coffee 5 days a week.

In between, I do my writing, connect with friends and sometimes meet new people.

I also love to adventure. Every few months I travel.

I go to the Caribbean so I can write and leave my structured life behind.

The pandemic pushed me to do things differently.

I don’t drive to yoga in Forest Acres.

I don’t stop for fresh produce or coffee, and I’m not meeting new people.

To make it through the pandemic I needed to try something completely new.

My experience tells me there are only 2 emotions – fear and love.

To manage societal and personal fears I asked myself “What would I love to do but haven’t done yet in my life?”

The answer: “Painting! Take that painting class!”

I went online, signed up and began the next day.

I must tell you a secret. I have no formal or informal painting experience.

Something in my soul kept nudging me to create with color.

To immerse myself in the experience.

Being at home for 2 months has been a blessing.

It has given me the opportunity to be still.

I walk my chihuahuas more.

I see parents at home playing outside with their kids.

Yard work is being done without hurry.

People are fishing.

Before the pandemic I prayed for God to make the world slow down.

It did.

Now we all get to begin again prioritizing in new and interesting ways.

As for my painting class, it’s taken on a life of its own.

MaryJo Briggs-Austin is a writer and therapist in Chapin. She writes the Chronicle’s “Live the Life You Love” column.