Hi friends! I hope you’re all staying safe and staying sane. I’ve been MIA from the blog for a bit because I honestly didn’t know what to talk about during this weird time! I’m jumping back in today to share how I’ve been spending my time during quarantine – because what else do I have going on??
How I’ve been spending my time during quarantine
Reading
I’ve been using this time to read a LOT of books. I actually haven’t been binging any TV shows because I guess I’m too busy reading? Here are two books I’ve especially enjoyed during this quarantine:
The Nightingale: This book is set during WW2 and uses 2 sisters to tell the story of living in war-torn France. Reading this book right now gave so much perspective on the current pandemic and helped me to realize that things could be a lot worse right now!
My Lovely Wife: This book was SO good! If you love a typical muder-mystery tale, then you will love this fun, engrossing read. I gobbled it up faster than I’m gobbling up my quarantine supply of m&ms.
Playing board games
I’ve been wanting to get more into board games, and this pandemic gave me the perfect excuse to do just that! I’m been enjoying revisiting old games and getting into new ones as well. Currently, I’m loving UPWORDS – a more challenging version of Scrabble, with a twist!
Reflecting
It’s no surprise that being inside all day leads to a LOT of time to think! I’ve been re-evaluating a lot of stuff in my life which has not been easy. I highly do not recommend making major life decisions during a pandemic. I’ve also started to see a new therapist (virtually, of course), which leads to – you guessed it- more reflecting 🙂
Cooking
I have never liked cooking. But now that restaurants are mostly out of the picture, I’ve been cooking up a storm! I’m not sure if all of this cooking is a result of additional free time, or if I’ve just been inspired by all of the Instagram stories recipes I’ve seen, but I’ve been eating much fewer Lean Cuisines lately. Let me know if you’d like me to share some (very simple) recipes I’ve been loving lately!
Walking
I am SO grateful that this pandemic hit us during springtime. Spring is my favorite time of year to be outside (probably the only time of year I like to be outside actually), and being stuck inside so much has made me want to get out even more! I’ve been exploring my Philly neighborhood and enjoying walks in parks and neighborhoods in the suburbs. Outside time has been keeping me sane!
Re-connecting
Now that we can’t socialize with the people around us, it seems like everyone is wanting to reconnect with their faraway friends! I’ve had Zoom video chats with the following:
-My freshman year of college roommates. (It was hilarious to see how much life has changed, but our personalities have stayed the same!)
-My senior year of college roommates. (Pictured above. That year with these girls will forever be one of the sweetest times in my life)
-My extended family. (We’ve never all talked together without being together in PERSON!)
I’ve also been trying to use this time re-connect more with my faith. What better time than now to spend time in prayer? I recently listened to a podcast that said that maybe God is using this time to bring us away from distractions and back to Him, so I’ve been trying to schedule more quiet time with God into my isolated days.
Making TikToks
Listen, I know that I’m 28. I know that most people on TikToks are teenagers. But I caved and joined TikTok for some quarantine entertainment, and the next thing you know I’m out here making them myself! It’s been a fun way to keep my creativity active and stay entertained while I’m at home.
Click here to watch my TikToks!
That’s how I’ve been spending my time during quarantine! I’d love to hear what you’ve been doing with your time. Are you cooking more? Taking up a new hobby? Just trying to keep your head screwed on? Let me know in the comments!
xo,
Liz
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Perfrct! I’ve been reflecting, taking walks with my 14 month old, definitely way more cooking and catching up with close friends on zoom! It’s better to stay busy and take this time to keep moving rather than being stagnant. Great post 🙂
Thanks for reading! Totally agree that it’s better to stay busy right now!
Thanks for sharing! Great ideas and we are surviving this and being positive!
Thanks for reading!
All of the ways to spend time in your post will promote mental health!!! Way to go! We all need to see the bright side and use this time to do what we never have time for!
So true! It’s so important to do things that benefit your mental health right now!
It’s great to see that you are using this “pause” in our lives in such a productive way. I’ve been cooking cooking up a storm, de-cluttering my new home, looking after my elders, working at my full-time job from home (as long as I am able to put in 40 hours per week, it doesn’t matter which 40 hours!), writing up a storm for my blog which has been stagnant for so long. I’m learning how to use Pinterest as an organic promotion tool as well.
That’s AWESOME! Kudos to you for being so productive during this time!
How good is it to actually have a chance to stop & catch a breath!!! I’m having to work from home, so not as many hours to fill but still extra time not spent commuting to go for a walk or pick up a book, or to binge watch a bit of Netflix!
I’m also working from home, but business has been slower lately! It is definitely nice to skip that commute time
I agree, I love this weather right now. I started a garden for the first time. I’m a tomato farmer now…..lol!
That’s awesome! I could use some tomatoes myself 🙂
I have been taking advantage of Zoom happy hours with family and friends as well as Zoom yoga classes from my usual studio. Your food looks delicious!
Stay well!
Thanks! Zoom yoga classes are such a good idea!
I love the ways you are spending your shelter-in-place time. Spending time doing the things you may not have thought you had time for in the past is refreshing and revitalizing. Enjoy
Thank you. I hope your shelter in place time is going well too!