Article By Tracy Parkson // EEW Magazine Online // Family & Mental Health

Michelle Obama has opened up about what family life is like in “solitude” during these trying times in our nation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to racial upheaval and political unrest.

On the latest episode of her new Spotify podcast, which airs on Wednesdays, the former first lady divulged details about daily living with hubby Barack Obama and the couple’s two college-age daughters Malia and Sasha.

"Dealing with all of this change we’re experiencing isn’t always easy, and it is not always comfortable," said the Christian wife and mom, 56, while speaking to her guest, former NPR host, Michele Norris. "But what I’ve learned is that this kind of solitude can be revealing, almost healing."

Though life in a bubble – something that has disrupted the lives of all Americans – is disconcerting, it’s safe to say, the Obamas have somewhat of an advantage over others.

“For Barack and I, we've lived outside of the norm of regular life for quite some time,” explained Mrs. Obama. “And what we learned early on in the White House is that in order to stay sane and to feel like the human that you once were is that you have to have a schedule and a routine that's pretty lock-step."

They are used to social distancing, since being president and first lady for eight years required some level of seclusion. Yet, this time around is different, especially because of the negative occurrences in our nation: high death rates from COVID-19; the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and more; nationwide protests decrying police brutality and racism; and a controversial administration led by Donald J. Trump who seems bent on promoting divisiveness and inflammatory rhetoric.

"My sleep is off," Mrs. Obama said, adding that she finds herself “waking up in the middle of the night 'cause I'm worrying about something or there's a heaviness.”

With less than peaceful sleep and challenges with mental and emotional health, at times, the author of the best-selling memoir, Becoming, said she doesn’t feel quite motivated enough to “get a workout in” and keep up her normal routine.

"There have been periods throughout this quarantine where I just have felt too low," she confessed to Norris. "I've gone through those emotional highs and lows that I think everybody feels, where you just don't feel yourself, and sometimes there's been a week or so where I had to surrender to that and not be so hard on myself."

Mrs. Obama continued, "These are not fulfilling times, spiritually. So I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression, not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it day in and day out, is dispiriting."

As not to completely lose herself and sense of normalcy with the family, she said, "Schedule has been key, and having a regular dinner time. And I'm finding that in quarantine, we look forward to that."

During the easy chat, Mrs. Obama offered insight into how a typical day flows in the Obama household. During the earlier part of the day, each of the family members is off on their own, pursuing their individual work and interests: "Barack's in his office, making calls, working on his book. I'm in my room. The girls are on their computers,” she said. “Sometimes we're outside if the weather permits, but we've developed this routine of, you know, we don't really worry about seeing one another in the day.”

But then, "right around five o'clock, everybody comes out of their nooks,” and that’s when the fun begins. According to Mrs. Obama, the family enjoys doing puzzles together, and Sasha and Malia especially love playing cards with their dad.

"They've got a spades tournament," she said. "Barack has taught the girls spades, so now there's this vicious competition. They wouldn't have sat down but for this quarantine to learn how to play a card came with their dad."

Though quarantine life has definitely had its downsides, there are some positive benefits she has seen for her daughters. Malia, 22, is in her third year at Harvard University, and Sasha, 19, is in her freshman year at the University of Michigan. Both switched to online learning since springtime due to COVID.

The slower pace, she said, is “an unburdening for them. You know, I don't know if they've articulated it, but there is a calm in them. It's almost like they needed the world to stop a little bit."

Going at such a “treadmill-like,” “fast and furious” pace had become the norm, said Mrs. Obama, “because it was all they ever knew.”

The change of pace, however, has introduced new ways of doing things both for the girls and Mom. For example, Mrs. Obama said she has been challenged to "do my own waxing, do my nails.”

She doesn’t mind it though. "There's a beauty in being reminded of our own self-sufficiency during this time,” she said.