Dark Times, Harry, Dark Times.
Whenever my husband and I come across some crazy shit during this pandemic (you know, besides the pandemic itself), we jokingly say “Dark times, Harry, dark times.” My fellow Harry Potter lovers will feel me on this.
All jokes aside, it really is “dark times” right now, for many, if not all of us. I personally oscillate between euphoria and overwhelm; this extra time has allowed me to expand my heart and mind, challenge myself, and find new ways to connect, while at the same time throwing me into the depths of despair, isolation, and fear of a new world to come.
About three days into quarantine I had an anxiety attack in the shower — one of my shorter ones, it only lasted about ten minutes, but when I got out I looked at myself in the mirror and thought enough is ENOUGH. It’s time to tackle this early so that I can survive the next however-many-days-or-weeks.
This is a comprehensive list of the steps I’ve taken to manage the unknown and bottomless pit of time at home.
First thing’s first: set a routine.
At the very least, set an alarm. And not for 10 AM. Get your ass up at a decent time and prioritize your day. For those who still have to go into work on-site every day, this is a no-brainer. They don’t get a choice. They have to be more at risk simply because of what they do. For those of us who are able to work remotely or who have sadly lost employment for the time-being, we have a choice. We can start the day by wasting it or we can start the day by savoring it.
We wake up somewhere between 7 and 7:30 AM (YES even my sleepy husband!) and make a pot of coffee. My husband jumps on his daily morning briefing call and I head to my office to Bullet Journal in front of my laptop, which has my work email and communications tools open and ready to go. (I’m working on a great free resource to teach you how I personally have adapted the Bullet Journal method — stay tuned!) This is honestly the same routine I’d follow if I went into the office physically and is the same routine I follow on weekends, too — it gets my mind right, allows me to reflect on yesterday’s Elise, and plan ways to be even better today.
A set schedule can really help keep the days organized and demarcate one from the other. Set times for waking up, work, exercise, self-care, reading, bedtime, etc. — all important. It’s essentially what you’d do if we weren’t in a pandemic right now. Quiet your anxiety by treating every day (as much as possible) as if nothing has changed.
Meditate, but like seriously meditate.
I’m definitely one of those people who put off learning how to meditate for YEARS, thinking that it was a little woo-woo and that there was no way my brain could influence my physiology, and who even has time for that shit?! Well… I was wrong.
I have time now. I have nothing but time. And so do you. So do yourself a favor, and download any of the following apps: Insight Timer, Calm, Headspace, etc. … or, you could do a search for the best meditation podcasts or YouTube channels, if that’s more for you.
If you’re a beginner and have what the experts call a monkey mind, I recommend starting with guided meditations. These essentially involve a calm voice describing how you can physically and mentally relax different parts of your body and mind, and their words help keep your thoughts focused on the meditation at hand (you know, instead of wandering to what you should have for dinner or to remember to take out the trash).
I enjoy guided meditations in the morning to set the tone for the day, or literally in the middle of working if I feel panicked or overwhelmed. I literally shut my laptop, throw in some earbuds, and go lay on the floor with my eyes closed listening to a 10-15 minute session. I come back revitalized and calm. It’s actual magic. You need to try it.
Explore new foods.
Barring any complications in getting in and out of grocery stores, there should be plenty of food available in your local area to stock up on some things (and by stock up, I do NOT mean hoarding weeks’ or months’ worth — I mean regular stocking up like you’d do any normal week). Before you venture out, wait in lines, and contemplate every cough you hear in public, go through some of those cookbooks collecting dust, or Google some new recipes with whatever cuts of meat you have or wish to buy. Go in with a plan and have fun collecting all the ingredients.
When you get home, of course, I recommend wiping everything down and soaking your produce in vinegar-water, but after that, get to prepping! Follow those recipes, create your own, learn how to make unhealthy dishes with healthy substitutes. Explore during this time. Get the family involved. Or not — my husband and I sometimes prep and cook together, but other times one of us puts earbuds in and does it solo in a flow state. Whatever works for you. And if it doesn’t turn out great, you learned something. What do you have to lose?
And since you’re planning to go shopping anyway, ask around for elderly or immunocompromised neighbors, friends, and family to see if they need anything.
We all know the elderly and folks with chronic conditions are most at risk. Do them a favor and pick up some staples, or do the whole sha-bang if they’re almost out of everything. Paid or unpaid, it’s the right thing to do, and selfishly (but importantly) it can also bring you a sense of control and peace: you’re taking this virus into your own hands and telling it who’s boss by putting on your big kid pants and helping to protect the vulnerable. And you’re allowed to feel personal satisfaction from this — it isn’t a requirement that you be 100% altruistic with no gratification or feel-good vibes. This is all a part of being human, which we have to remember, is the ultimate goal in trying to live in this new “normal.”
Find activities that are any or all of the following: intriguing, positive, silly, complex, challenging, calming, and/or entertaining.
Here is a list of ideas, some more obvious than others:
Read the books that have been sitting on your shelf for years, that you never had time for.
Order some new books if you’re in the 0.0005% of the population who has read everything they own.
Start a website or blog and document your experience through the pandemic.
Tackle a part of your living space that is in need of repair, however minor it might be.
And if you need supplies but can’t buy them directly from the store, order online and most places will bring it out to you through curbside pick-up (The Home Depot did this for us!).
Enjoy some good memes (there’s some amazing ones out there), but then avoid social media when you’re done.
Clean out your fridge or cupboards. We all know we need to do it.
Start or continue a workout/exercise program. Many gyms are offering discounted online classes, and there are tons of fitness experts who post home-modified workouts on Instagram or Facebook for free.'
Order or otherwise buy puzzles and dedicate one hour a night to it.
Set up a silly “wine or whiskey tour” in different rooms of your house with someone you live with (who’s of drinking age… have to add that). If you live alone and still want to partake (no judgment at all, drink on, my friend), you could always do an Instagram or Facebook live to include your friends and family and get a good laugh.
Try your hand at baking something new.
Listen to new podcasts — make a set time for going for a walk each day and soak up all the knowledge.
Make the raving dalgona coffee.
Take a free online course, or hell, pay and get a new online degree or certification.
Or, if you already have a degree or certification, start tackling some continuing education credits.
Garden, plant, tend to pre-existing houseplants, etc. Do what you can within the confines of your state’s lockdown measures.
Leave glowing sidewalk chalk messages for your neighbors, or do the window painting/colored heart cut-outs that are taking social media by storm.
I’d recommend not watching Tiger King because #braincells, but that’s also an option. I hear it’s at least funny…
Try your hand at artwork — whether that’s sketching, painting, crafting, or any other form of creation.
If you’re religious, schedule a specific time every day for daily devotionals, prayer, or online worship.
Walk your pets, or offer to walk the pets of those who are afraid to leave their homes.
Go for a run… I know, who invented that shit?
Learn about ways you can safely and effectively supplement for immune health, and order or buy what is available to you.
Remember when I said get up at the same time every day? Make it early enough to bask in a sunshine-filled window with your fancy whipped coffee.
Make some great summer plans. Whether or not they end up happening is not the point. Dream a little. It will help you appreciate it more when the time comes to make those memories.
Diffuse essential oils or learn how to use them in other ways. If you need any, I’m a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA and can help answer any questions you might have.
Play board games with your loved ones. If you don’t have any, order some, or play online through video chats with physically distant friends or family. (If you and your physically distant pal both have Battleship and/or Guess Who, I mean, I’m jussayin that’d be pretty easy to play via video chat…)
Start a creative house project — refinishing cabinets, floors, paint, etc., and again if you need supplies but can’t buy them personally, see what stores are able to do to meet you halfway.
Take a hot bath. You can even bring one of those books from above or practice meditating.
Drink, dance, blast music, clean. Make a shitty chore enjoyable.
Start a new show on Netflix, but limit yourself to two episodes per day.
Have fires in your fireplace or bonfire pit outside.
Start a compost pile.
Learn how to sew, knit, or crochet.
Have a nice meal off of your wedding china.
Put yourself out there and schedule a virtual psychotherapy session with a licensed professional.
Or hell, I’m not ashamed… schedule a virtual nutritional therapy consultation with… me :)
Try to cut your own hair… carefully.
Start a skincare routine.
Give yourself a manicure or pedicure.
Have a picnic in the backyard with the kids or other in-home family. Bonus if you pitch a tent and camp out there too, weather permitting!
Make homemade, whole-food pet treats.
Learn about up-cycling.
Donate food, masks, or other supplies to your local healthcare facility.
Work on your side hustle. If you don’t have one, ask your friends about theirs to see what you could be interested in.
Watch a documentary.
Watch all of the Marvel movies in order… you’re welcome.
Learn and practice cartwheels, handstands, etc. — your inner child will thank you, and so will your lymph system!
Make a collage or scrapbook of old photos, cards, event tickets, etc.
Get those old rollerblades or skateboards out of the basement and awkwardly give it a grown-up try.
Weed, trim, or otherwise care for your landscaping.
Go through your closets and pick out items to donate or hand down (when this is all over, of course).
Learn a new card game. Or play an old one. Add drinking rules. The world is your oyster.
Do some other fun drinking game (but as your friendly neighborhood FNTP I will warn you that overindulging could put your immune system at risk… I know, I’m just the worst.
Learn and attempt to brew your own beer or wine.
Get on your hands and knees and scrub those baseboard moldings… lol.
Google some fun at-home science experiments you can do with the kids.
Wash and detail your car. Maybe even change the oil.
Play catch — football, baseball, whatever.
Build a Rube Goldberg machine, or other goofy setup.
Make an in-home mini golf course.
Make a bird house and let the kids paint it.
Order an inflatable hot tub and/or trampoline… you’re welcome again.
You get the idea. You have to intentionally seek out and take part in the activities that will personally bring you joy and take your mind away from all the shit circulating in the world right now. If we’re going to come out of this healthier, we need to tend to our mental health as well. Isolation is difficult, especially when it comes with limitations as to what you can do with all that free time. If you have other ideas, I’d love to hear them! Comment, DM, email me — get involved in the conversation and help lift up those around you. We are a pack species, and we will overcome this pandemic as such.
