Did you ever imagine we’d be living in such strange times as these? This period of isolation in which the world was forced to shut down happened so unexpectedly—and it’s not the ideal situation for most. The ‘quarantine routine’ consists of a variety of activities such as pacing around our bedrooms, mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds, and talking to our TV screens who’s repetitive inquiry; “Are you still watching?” tends to get a little irritating.
While it can be difficult to process this time of confusion and uncertainty, believe it or not, there’s a bright side to all of this. On one hand, it can be scary, confusing, and lonely. However, on the other hand, we have a great opportunity to take advantage of this time and make the most of it by finding ourselves and discovering our true potential.
Life moves fast, and with the busyness of our daily lives and a plethora of responsibilities to tend to, it’s easy to feel like we’re missing out on life. With so much to explore, learn, and discover, there never seems to be enough time to do it all. Our seemingly endless responsibilities can hinder us from pursuing our true passions, having time for ourselves, and even spending time with our loved ones. Time is such a precious thing that we often take for granted—some even consider it a luxury. Fast forward to 2020, we’ve never had more free time on our hands than we do now. While the circumstances are unfortunate, here’s how you can make the most of it:
- Pursue those interests and hobbies you’ve been meaning to but never had time for.
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Enjoy this time by using it to discover what fulfills you and gives you butterflies. Read books, walk your dog, bake yummy foods, learn a new language, start your own blog, and do all the things you’ve been wanting to but haven’t had time for. Pursue your passions and do what makes you happy! Life is to be enjoyed so, if you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing something wrong.
- Start your own side hustle or businesses.
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What better time to experiment than during your longest break ever? Discover new skills, create new things, and come up with new ideas. What crazy ideas have you been turning over in your head? Maybe you want to use your skills to teach others through an online course. You might be a fashionista with countless clothes to recycle and sell through your own boutique. Now’s the time to go for it and see what happens. There’s no reason not to—the possibilities are endless!
- Reach out to family and friends.
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When’s the last time you spent quality time with your friends or family members? Everyone needs all the love and support they can get right now. Call your loved ones and check in on them. If you’re quarantining with others, do things together that fulfill you and help you to have fun! Play games, watch movies, cook meals, go for walks, have a spa day…the list goes on. Dedicate more of your time to the people in your life—you never know how much time you have left with them.
- Indulge in self-love and self-care.
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Practice some self-love by treating and taking care of yourself. Giving yourself a proper boost will help you feel much better. Take a bubble bath, watch that movie you’ve been meaning to, read a book, indulge in your favorite foods, and have a spa day. Invest in what fulfills you and makes you happy. You deserve it!
- Appreciate the simple things in life.
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Slow down and realize what’s around you, where you are, and who you’re with. It’s easy to get stuck in a “go, go, go” mindset where we miss what’s right in front of us. Stop to smell the roses, listen to the birds sing, feel the wind on your face, live in the moment, and be present! It’s amazing what you can find when you take a moment to acknowledge the life and environments around you.
- Help others.
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Use this time to help those in need or support a cause. Everyone needs a little help with something, especially now. From grand gestures to small acts of kindness, anything helps. Volunteer, donate to causes you support, help out family and friends, or give a hand to someone in your neighborhood. A little help goes a long way. Not to mention, it’s a great feeling to know you’ve helped someone.
Now’s your chance to use this time to create the life of your dreams, achieve your best self, and make the most of your life! Don’t dwell on the circumstances. Instead, use this opportunity to your advantage to find yourself and create a life you love. Make the most of every situation and trust that everything will work itself out. Remember, after every storm comes a rainbow.