Our Social Lives Are Over, What Do We Do Now?
As the world is sweeping into a tizzy and we really don’t know what is going on with Coronavirus, the best option for every one is social distancing. For the last two weeks, I began spending more time at home and saying no to all inessential social gatherings. I had no idea that at the top of this week it would become a requirement and perhaps forced in the coming days. All in all, staying at home and away from other people during this time is the best thing we can do to keep each other healthy. So, since I’ve been home and plan to be home for the next couple of weeks (prayerfully, no longer than a week or two), I’ve been thinking about things we can all do to keep ourselves occupied!
If your job has you working from home, actually work from home. But take time for yourself and create a schedule, much like you’re in the office, i.e. coffee breaks, lunch break, end of the day break (I used to take 5 mins to myself at the end of the day). Also, don’t let your boss trick you in working longer hours because you’re “at home.” Work a regular work day!
Catch up on your shows and start new ones! I just started On My Block on Netflix and it’s great! I’m watching old movies and movies I’ve never seen before. Plan to watch a movie at the same time as a friend and then talk on the phone about it after because...social distancing ;)
Start that blog or that online business that you’ve always wanted! I’m using this time to write more! I’m dedicating myself to my blog and creating more content since I have so much more alone time. It’s an opportunity to work on that project that you’ve been putting off so when we do beat COVID-19 in the next few weeks, it’ll be ready to be shared!
Talk... as someone who doesn’t live in my hometown anymore and a lot of my friends live in different states, I think this is a great time to have those “catch up” phone conversations. You know the conversations where you don’t pick up the phone because you have a dinner in 30 minutes, or you just got home from work? Yeah, it’s a great time to have those conversations. Check on your family and friends!
Sleep! I love to sleep. I love taking a midday nap. I love a pre-going out nap. I love to just be in the bed. But, I have noticed that as much as I want to rest, I usually don’t get enough because I’m running to the next thing. Take this time to get your sleep schedule together. Start training your body to go to sleep at a good time and wake up at a good time. I struggle with falling asleep before 1 AM and getting up before 10 AM! Definitely something I want to work on during this time off.
Lastly, read a new book! I know we’re glued to news outlets reporting about the pandemic. But it’s good to give that a rest for a few hours and zone out with a good article or a good book. I bought a book a year ago and only read the first chapter. Needless to say, I’ll be picking it up and finishing it. At a time like this, it’s healthy to escape from reality for your mental health and live through words taking you to another life.
All in all, find something new to do or do something you haven’t been able to do for a while! Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, drink lots of water and tea, stock up on yummy snacks and things to cook (another good activity is to cook something you’ve never cooked before), take your vitamins and please stay healthy! We’re going to get through this troubling time together!