If you& #39;re kicking yourself for not being more productive during all this, I& #39;m asking a favor: Be kinder to yourself. There are times when I am writing on fumes, and there& #39;s no professional reason for that. My job isn& #39;t different.

The world is different.

Be kinder to yourself.

Take a breath. Meditate. Binge a show. Take a few minutes to do absolutely nothing. Take a break from the news. It& #39;ll be there when you come back, believe me. Read or listen to or watch something that inspires you. Call a friend. Make a donation. Find a way to make someone happy.

Snuggle with whoever is in your house, even if they& #39;re driving you crazy right now. Especially if they& #39;re driving you crazy right now. Plan the trip you want to take with them when we& #39;re past this. Write a rock opera. Whatever works for you, but don& #39;t pin yourself to the wall.

Take the time you need for yourself. It will make you stronger and kinder and more empathetic and more productive for all the people in your life who need you to be all of those things.

Peace.