I'm a millennial.

Me.

Thirty-three-year-old, parenting/marriage/self-improvment blogger.

Mother of three.

A woman who experiences non-debilitating but very annoying anxiety.

A law-school dropout.

A podcast host.

A freelance writer.

A former foster care caseworker.

A daughter.

A sister.

A friend.

Technically unemployed.

Kind of an entrepreneur.

Inspirational (so I'm told).

Awkward (so I've been called)

I'm a millennial.

And I'm supposed to be helping the world, by way of my age group with our

word wizardry,

social prowess,

desire to be vocal,

and, at-times, willingness to document and overshare our thoughts.

But I'm confused, and I don't know what to say.

The world is facing a global pandemic, and it's surreal.

It's got me scared and unsure.

When it comes to #coronavirus, I don't know whether I'm overreacting or underreacting.

I don't know whether I'm watching too much news or not enough.

I don't know whether I stocked up on the right items or if I even have enough, in the event there is a nationwide lockdown.

I don't know how I'll find the time to keep up with my website and freelance writing with three kids under the age of 8 all day.

I don't know how I'll be able to keep us all quiet while my husband is on conference calls for work.

I don't know how to keep everyone in my family, inside (or just outside) our home AND happy, all day, every day, til what sounds like possibly July, August or longer.

And, truthfully, I don't know what I can say to other millennials out there or to anyone for that matter because just like so many of you, I am riding out this shiitake show, one spontaneous wave at a time.

And I don't have a surfboard.

Or very good swimming skills.

I don't sound like a very smart millennial, do I?

I don't sound like someone you should listen to or take advice from, huh?

But here's why I think millennials like myself were told to

make the right decisions,

follow the CDC's updated guidelines,

and then get vocal as hell about the need for the rest of everyone to do such --

because we have a voice; each of us, and at times, a noisy as heck, forceful, collective one.

A voice that is a powerful one, and for most of us, we're not afraid to use it.

It's an honest voice, and that's what people need and want to hear right now.

So, honestly, do I know that I'm making all of the right decisions when it comes to how my family and I are handling this virus?

No. No, I don't.

But, I'm trying to and avowing to.

I am doing my darndest to sort through all the advice and then following what seems, sounds, and feels right for me, my loved ones, and my community.

And here's what I've come to realize --

That if there is ever a time to err on the side of being extra-cautious, that time is now.

If there is ever a time to concede that you're not invincible, that time is now.

If there is ever a time to agree that you're not the smartest person in the room and take the advice of another, that time is now.

If there is ever a time to show your kids what it means to put others first, that time is now.

If there is ever a time to pray for your family, friends, neighbors, and all people all over the US and the world, that time is now.

Listen to the experts.

Listen to your gut.

Listen to your city officials.

Listen to your heart.

Listen to the updates.

Follow the rules as best you can.

Stay calm.

Stay rational.

Stay alert.

And keep using your voice to

calm your spouse,

love your kids,

call your parents and grandparents,

and to remind yourself that faith and the right actions will bring you safely to the other side of this scary monster curve.

I'm a millennial, and these are my thoughts.

And, I hope they have comforted or helped you in some way.