Uncomplicate your quarantine
I can honestly say this is the first post I've ever done that had the word "quarantine" in it. "Social distancing" was not a phrase I had ever encountered until now.
Like most unanticipated situations, a quarantine at home can get complicated. There are so many questions, emotions, extra food, hand sanitizers, and toilet paper! And how are we supposed to keep our sanity with kids and spouses together 24/7?
While I don't have all of the answers to today's problems, I certainly can help you uncomplicate your quarantine by offering suggestions to stay sane in this time of uncertainty.
I'm going to change up the Joan Baez quote to include some alliteration:
Action is the antidote to anxiety
Doing something is far better than doing nothing. And this is what I'm doing and suggesting to uncomplicate a very complicated time.
Make your bed. I've said it once so I've probably said it a 1,000 times. Make your bed. If you accomplish nothing else today, you will have accomplished that. It's a small victory that can spawn other victories. It takes 5 minutes and you'll instantly feel like you've left zombie land.
Get dressed. Like real clothes. I'm writing this wearing jeans and a sweatshirt but it's a CUTE sweatshirt with a satin ribbon at the back. I showered and put on makeup. Seriously, put yourself together as if you were going to interact with the world. You'll feel like a real person.
Clean/ Organize/ Declutter a forgotten space. You've now got the time to go through that closet or cabinet you've been avoiding all this time. Just organize it! You'll feel so satisfied and accomplished you might even do another!
Here are some suggestions of great organization potential:
--clean your makeup brushes
--go through your jewelry. You may have some pieces you'd like to remake or donate.
--organize your leftover paint so see if there's any you can throw out because it's already dried out.
--match up your sheets and pillowcases
Listen to some new music. I've been thoroughly enjoying playing some opera arias that I've heard in movies. Thank you, YouTube. Peruse Spotify, iTunes, or ask your kids what they like to listen to. You might be surprised that they like some of your music, too.
Practice gratitude. There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. This is probably the most time you've spent with your family in a really long time. The weather is beautiful albeit a little rainy. Hopefully you have your health. If you're reading this you still have your sight.
As I write this I remember one of my last conversations with my 100 year old grandmother who said when I asked how she was doing, "Well, I can't see very well and I can't hear very well but by the grace of God, I'm still here." She was a master at practicing gratitude!
Sometimes you have to get a little ridiculous and find the smallest thing that is going well but do it. Focus on the little things that work like the internet or your hot water heater. We are all blessed in all kinds of ways. Sometimes we just have to look a little harder to find them. :-)
Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash