This global crisis is far from over and a vaccine for Covid-19 is realistically not close. The time during quarantine is confusing. What days is it, how much time has passed? Time is precious and can feel slow or fast but either way cabin fever is real. I’ve been going through cycles- keeping busy and feeling fine to being stuck in my thoughts and feeling anxious with headaches. I am sad for all the lives that have been lost, those in danger, relationships strained from either seeing each other too much or not enough, jobs and money lost, things people were looking forward to canceled, the list goes on. This virus has exposed how fragile our market vulnerabilities are in ways we didn’t know existed.
First off let's take a big deep breath, and then let it out. We truly have never experienced anything like this before so if the most productive thing you do during this pandemic is surviving it, that is OKAY! Updates keep popping up and it's hard to keep track of it all with the mix of fake news.
How do you want this experience to change you? How do you think it will?
Yes, I'm fully aware that I am in my feelings over here, but I think that is perfectly okay and makes us human to go through a whole range of emotions. Why do we feel guilty? Society has told us that emotions equal weakness. Being emotionally vulnerable is brave.
Here are some ways I have used my time and other suggestions I have for others. However, you decide to use your time during this madness, as the Governor of NY so eloquently said-
Working out with the Peloton app, it is currently free. You don't need their fancy bike to take advantage of the app. I've used the cycling feature on an outdoor bike. I've also taken advantage of their meditation, running, walking, yoga, and dance classes.
Brushing up/ learning a new language! I started with Duolingo as well as Rosetta Stone, both free at the time of writing to practice Hebrew. I wanted to relearn coding languages as well and freecodecamp is a great resource. I learned in college but previous jobs haven't required me to use these skills (like coding HTML, etc.), you know how it goes, use it, or lose it.
Cleaning/organizing my space in my home. It seems like everyone now has found time to get rid of old things but there aren't too many places that are accepting donations due to the virus. For now, I have compiled all the things I want to donate, other stuff I threw away and I have another assortment that I would like to try and sell online (selling things online is an art I've found the most success on Facebook Marketplace). Marie Kondo and Home Edit will inspire you to organize your life and both have shows currently on Netflix.
Online shop! The only way to keep our favorite stores around is to support them now. Some of my packages have taken a bit longer to arrive.
Pick up a new skill with LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare (free at the time of writing), get certified through HubSpot
Read books, watch movies, watch tv shows, scrapbook
Connect with family and friends online through happy hours, game nights, etc.
Go for a walk on a new trail in your area you haven't explored before (with a mask, avoid crowds, and stay 6ft apart, avoid touching your face, and wash those nasty hands!)
For those in college or even those post-college that want connection through meaningful learning opportunities, there are some wonderful webinars that they put together. https://welcome.hillel.org/hillelathome/
Take a virtual tour online through a zoo https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams (many zoos have let their own animals take a tour outside their cage), see a Broadway show https://www.broadwayhd.com/, or even a city with Rick Steve (his app and show on Hulu are both great.)
Zoom/Facetime/app dating- Just because we can't see people in person, doesn't mean there aren't creative loopholes to do so safely. I love seeing all the Weddings and bar-mitzvahs that are still taking place during this time. Sure it's not ideal but they are still living their lives and will have a celebration with family in person once it is safe to meet in groups.
Take care of your mental health, often easier said than done. Apps like Talkspace and Headspace are both helpful.
For those home with kids, Scholastic's website offers meaningful online learning
Let me know how you end up spending your time and if you use any of my suggestions! Here is to a new normal, continuing new routines, hobbies, being grateful to all our essential workers, and connecting with our loved ones (sometimes in person or through technology). When life hands you limes, you make margaritas. Stay safe, positive, healthy, and happy!
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