It feels like day gazillion of the coronavirus quarantine and I am definitely feeling anxious and a bit blue today. How are you guys hanging in there?
Before, I go any further with this post let me say I am aware of all the following:
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- I am lucky I am healthy and that my family is healthy.
- I am lucky that my husband’s business has been deemed essential, so he is able to keep his company going.
- Many people have lived through far worse than what I am dealing with at the moment.
I get all of the above, but it doesn’t change the fact that somedays this quarantine can really drive a person crazy!
I was trying to figure out why one day I am fine and then the next, it really gets to me.
I think I found one possible reason today…it feels like I am living in the movie “Groundhog Day”. Are you familiar with the Bill Murray classic, where each day his character wakes up and has to relive the same day all over again? This quarantine is really starting to feel like that to me.
Normally, I am a creature of habit. I like routine. It makes me feel safe and in control of my life. These days, I am beginning to think that too much routine might not always be a good thing. So…I decided to brainstorm some ideas of how I can shake things up a bit.
Maybe these ideas will help you too!
- Workout outside instead of in my basement.
- Make a dinner/type of dish I have never made before.
- Hang out, fold laundry or work on my laptop in rooms I am rarely in, for instance, the living room or the rec room.
- Find a new podcast to listen to while cleaning the house.
- Style my hair differently than I normally would…actually maybe just style it at all. Haha!
- Make a new playlist to listen to.
- Facetime someone I haven’t spoken to in a long time.
- Take my dogs for a walk on a new route.
- Ask my kids to make dinner for us one night. Let them plan the menu.
- Watch a new television show.
- Eat a meal with the kids in front of the tv, using tv trays and watch a family movie.
- Start a new online bible study.
- Have a theme night with my family—anything goes…food, music, clothing, games, etc.
- Write a card to a friend or family member via snail mail, letting them know I am thinking of them.
- Download a new game to play on my phone.
Have you found you need to switch up your routine to make each day a little less like the day before? If so, please share your ideas in the comments below.
XO-Kerry
Good for you Anne! I did a run/walk the other day after a sleepless night and found that each time I was running, all this anger in my head came pouring out…anger at this whole coronavirus situation. I didn’t even know I had that anger built up, but it was great to release it through the physical exercise. I also think it is awesome to try the Bible study, as I have found any time I read the bible my anxiety always goes down. Give it to God as they say!
Cooking has been amazing these last few weeks for me! I have tried more new recipes and used new ingredients and spices than I even thought I would. It has been something to keep my mind off of the uncertainty of everything right now. I have also pushed myself and ran farther than I have since before I had Michael. It is only 3 miles but it feels good to do it by myself with nobody around and just listen to music without my anxiety screaming at me. I am going to try an online bible study or a new book like you suggested. Thanks!