Things To Do (Or Not Do) While in Quarantine
I hope you’re all staying safe and healthy out there during this crazy time. With trips, parties, workshops (sad face), and school all canceled, I think we’re all doing our best to navigate through what’s happening around the world. With things changing by the hour and much of it out of our control, it’s hard not to feel anxious and scared.
For those who remain healthy, hoping to help flatten the curve, and stop the spread of the coronavirus, self-quarantining has been a blessing and a curse. The amazing benefits of lessening the pressure on the health care system, protecting yourself and your family, and decreasing your environmental footprint has also led to something that could only come from a deadly virus: boredom and stir-craziness.
Some people are perfectly fine being at home, lounging in sweatpants everyday, Netflix-and-chilling to their heart’s desire. And that’s totally fine. You want to use this time to chill the f*ck out from what is normally a hectic life that doesn’t stop? You go on with your bad self.
But if you’re like me, someone who thrives in work, loves to stay busy, and my goodness, needs to eat out at a good restaurant once in a while or at least wandering the aisles of Michael’s, well, we’re looking for things to do to use this time productively. Sure, I’m staying busy homeschooling the kids and working from home for my consulting business, but I’ve got a bunch of pent up energy and creativity that is just dying to get out.
So what can you do to maximize this time and come out on the other side with new skills and maybe even a better outlook on life? Here are some fun suggestions for your self-quarantine time:
Keep your brain moving and learning. Put a puzzle together, download an app to learn a new language or a new instrument, enroll in a course on Coursera or Udemy, do a crossword puzzle, watch a documentary, learn calligraphy or to knit or crochet on YouTube, cook or bake something you’ve never made before, read a new book or five. Anything to keep those brain cells learning.
Work on personal and professional development. Start a journal or a blog, meditate by finding sessions on YouTube or an app, like Calm, reflect on your accomplishments from last year and set goals for this year, make a list of things you’re grateful for. Develop that side hustle you’ve been talking about for years. Use this time to develop yourself and your skills. And who knows? You might come out of it with a new job or business.
Self. Care. Put on a face mask, paint your nails, create a new workout routine, do a new style or workout on YouTube, take a bath, moisturize everything, stretch, talk to your plants, or take a walk (if you’re allowed). Everyone will love seeing the new and calmer you.
Revert to old-school communication methods. Write a letter or card to family and friends, play board games and card games, write thank-you cards, wave to or even strike up a conversation with your neighbors from a safe distance. Who knew that neighbors were actually humans and not just people we pass by without making eye contact?
Home projects. Organize that back closet or junk drawer, put those tupperwares in order, create a Pinterest-worthy pantry, go through your closet to see what sparks joy, fix things that are broken, throw out old makeup or beauty products, rearrange your living room or bedroom or any room. If you don’t do it now, you’ll have to wait for the next global pandemic.
I hope you use this weird time for whatever you want to use it for. Even in these scary times, we still have control over how we show up and our perspective. As an eternal optimist and blissfully and selectively unaware of the doom and gloom, I’m using this time to grow my business, create new products, and marketing techniques.
Stay safe out there and take it day-by-day. Send positive vibes and extra special thoughts to those who work in healthcare, small businesses, and those who are sick. We’ll get through this together and hopefully with a new outlook on life.
To check out my revamped coaching packages, click here.
Sources:
Coronavirus Quarantine - USA Today
8 Things Do While Under Quarantine - Psychology Today