Given the opportunity this past January, knowing what I know now, I would have penned a letter to myself. Here is what it would have said:

“Dear Self,

“Remember how people rang in 2020 with a ‘Roaring Twenties’ theme? Well, the thing about that decade is that it ended with the Great Depression and there arose a new motto that you might want to memorize and consider how to implement. It was, ‘Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!’

Related: Complete coronavirus coverage

“You know how much you’re looking forward to spring so you can get out, play with the grandbabies and enjoy gatherings like Easter and birthdays? Well, I’d be making the rounds now to get your hugs in!

“The money you’ve been setting aside for that dream trip to Israel? You might want to redirect in the way of oh … say, toilet paper, bleach and disinfectant. But don’t wait, go now. Get enough for everyone on your gift list for the year. Brand will no longer matter. Trust me, Joy, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you gave the most treasured gift to your loved ones.

“Your frustration each time a fox, coon or coyote snatches a hen this winter is greatly warranted. Gather up every single bird on the wing possible. Your little egg business will be the best thing going unless you can do a little research on the possibilities of processing corncobs to a soft tissue!

“That retirement you were counting on? Don’t count on it. Consider liquidating it all while you can and checking out stock in things like Costco or Sam’s Club instead. The online video meeting and web conferencing company called Zoom is worth getting in on, and while you’re at it, train the barn animals to stand still before your phone or laptop camera.

“It’s hard to imagine, but there will be a demand for a goat, chicken or cow to be included in Zoom meetings. If you’re not getting this, Joy, then your ship has finally come in, but you’ve got to stay ahead — you don’t want to find yourself with unruly livestock or a depleted chicken flock.

“That compulsive buying of various baking mixes which you do — turns out it was just your God-given instinct. The thermometer that eventually wound up being stuck in the backside of a goat needs to be replaced immediately, ’cause you may never be able to buy another one.

“‘Home Sweet Home’ will take on a whole new meaning. Though you have never been big on watching TV, you’ll discover how grateful you are that ‘The Waltons’ were brought back to your limited channel choices. Cancel that YMCA membership and lastly, use the terms ‘social,’ ‘6 feet’ or any form of the word ‘distance’ sparingly, while you still can.

“Love,
“Self

Man, I wish I had written that letter to myself five months ago. But then that would have taken the “fun” out of learning to adjust to life today — all on the fly!

McClain writes from Greenwood, Ind.