It’s a new world for many of us and with it comes a lot of changes and adjustments to our lifestyles. What are some ideas to make the most of it and how do we get through it?
Stay Connected
Isolation and boredom can quickly set in if we don’t manage to find ways to stay connected to our friends and family. Luckily, we live in a day and age when technology is our best friend when it comes to staying connected. We have virtual face time, phone calls, texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest – the works! So many options to keep ourselves connected. In fact, with some extra time at home it’s a great time to rekindle some inadvertently neglected relationships.
It you are feeling lonely (extroverts, I’m especially talking to us!), try not to let it get to you. It’s quite expected that many of us are going to start to feel lonely quite quickly. It’s a great time to leverage our network to assuage our feelings of loneliness the best we can and try to find some healthy distractions for when we can’t! Know that we aren’t alone and that together we will get through this.
Study
Yes, I said it. This is a great time to study. Or even study ahead! With our options more limited for other activities, this extra time may just be the thing we need to catch up with homework or even work ahead a bit. It could be a time to impress our teachers with how we’ve used our extra time by scoring some high marks on the next exam.
Make Progress
Let’s face it – it feels great to make progress on a project. Most especially on a project we’ve been putting off for a while Why not generate that feel-good feeling now by diving into some of our laundry list of to-do items! This not only will get the project done and we will feel great having done it but when social distancing is a thing of the past, we will have more free time to do the things we aren’t as able to do now.
Movie Binge
It can’t all be work – there’s definitely got to be some time for fun in the mix. And this is a great time to catch up on TV shows we’ve missed or to catch that movie that we’ve been dying to see. Or to binge on a streaming series that is our guilty pleasure. All great options to pass the time!
Distractions
And more generally speaking there is the catch-all category of distractions. If we find we are bored and can’t think of anything to do, let’s look around our house. Is there a puzzle sitting around that we haven’t done in a while, a book that we’ve left half-read? What about a knitting project we’ve started but just haven’t had the chance to work on for a while. Or perhaps there’s something we’ve wanted to try our hand at – now is the perfect time to take our extra free time to experiment. Perhaps it’s to be a better baker, or redesign our home, or even start a new hobby.
You are Not Alone
Most importantly know that you are not alone in perhaps feeling lonely and that there are options like those highlighted above to help you. During this time, most of all take care of yourself in every way.
Your Ideas
The list doesn’t end here though. I’d love to hear what strategies you’ve found work for you. With many schools being closed or providing limited services, how are you spending your time?
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21 March 2020
These are great ideas. I have just started binge watching the “good doctor” it’s my absolute favorite now that I have time on my hands. Thank for sharing ????
I love the Good Doctor too Rayo – enjoy!!
These are all really great recommendations! I’ve been spending my time reading, playing games, watching movies, cooking and writing! In uncertain times like this, it’s great to have a reminder that we aren’t alone in the way we’re feeling & we are all going through the same thing. Thanks for sharing! Stay safe! 🙂
It sounds like you’ve found some great things to occupy your time Melissa! Thank you and please stay safe yourself too!
Great ideas here. I am struggling to entertain my kids all day.
Thanks Adriane – It’s definitely a challenge as the days wear on. Hopefully my ideas and the ever-growing list of comment will give you some new ideas! 🙂
Some great points here! Staying connected during this time is so important for mental health, great post!
Thank you Lauren – I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
Nice tips from you. Yes, we still need to be connected to our family and friends and do something productive even we’re doing social distancing 🙂
Agreed Jojo! And being productive will make us feel great about it all – and give us some extra free time for when this is all over. 🙂
I have a crochet project that I bought yarn for over Christmas time and never started. Today is the day. Any distraction to keep me off social media is welcomed. I also have a couple of courses I purchased that I never had time to start. My husband is restoring a couple of guitars. And I completely cleaned the refrigerator and pantry yesterday. Making lemonade out of lemons here in Southern California. Stay safe!
Jen – wow, I’m incredibly impressed! I wish I had that much ambition. That’s quite the success story you have in the makings!
Great suggestions, I’m so glad we’re in a time where we can all stay connected to make this easier. I’m finding distractions really helpful right now – binge watching my way through Netflix series is just about the only thing I can do to keep my mind off everything going on right now x
Sophie
Sophie -I’ve been binge watching on Netflix myself! Sure makes the day go by quickly! Thanks for sharing!
You are absolutely right. It is really important that people realize that they are not alone and that they stay connected to others during social distancing.
Agreed Blue to Bliss (love your name!). Thanks for stopping by and commenting!! Hope to see you again!
Some really good ideas here! I’ve been using my time wisely to be productive! no point in stressing. I’m just doing all I can to ensure we are safe! 🙂
Stay safe hun!
Ashleigh – https://www.ashleighsmoments.com
That’s awesome Ashleigh – way to be a team player!! Doesn’t it feel great to be productive during this time?