Since this semester got cut short abruptly due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it has been hard to stay out of a negative mindset while adjusting to my new normal. I know many others have felt the same way, so I figured I would share things I have done to stay positive and take my mind off things throughout this ever changing time.
- Check the News Only Once or Twice a Day
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This has been key for me to stay positive, for constantly reading negative news certainly brings your mood down. However, you don’t want to completely ignore it so you are uninformed about what is going on either. This is why it is important to find a good balance. I usually check the news in the late afternoon or evening so it doesn’t prevent me from getting work done throughout the day. This allows me to still be up to date on what is going on in the world without it affecting what I need to get done!
- Take Advantage of Family Time
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Although living at school certainly has it’s benefits, being at home also allows us extra time with our families that we usually wouldn’t have. There’s no better time to whip out the board games, old home videos, and scrapbooks! I have been doing this with my family and it has surely helped us pass the time and reminisce. Additionally, if you have a furry friend at home, getting all those extra cuddles and walks outside together is certainly something to be grateful for!
- Host a Zoom Party
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Zoom isn’t just for taking remote classes, it can also be a super fun tool to hang out virtually with friends! If you wanted to take it up to the next level, you could host a themed ‘party’ and have all your friends dress up or listen to music that goes with the theme! One of my favorite influencers, Niki Demartino, did this with her friends, hosting an early 2000’s themed party, and as you can see it can be super fun to dance around to music with all the different backgrounds you can choose from!
- Get Nostalgic
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Speaking of parties, how about a Webkinz party? I did this over Zoom the other night with my friends, staying up way too late might I add, and we had so much fun! Since we’ll be in our houses for quite a while now, there’s no better time to get nostalgic by doing things you enjoyed when you were younger, whether that’s playing Wii, binging your favorite childhood TV show, or hanging out in your igloo on Club Penguin. If you want other ideas on what you could do, I have another article with a bunch of nostalgic activities you could do too!Â
- Redecorate and Rearrange Your Living Space
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I truly believe a well decorated room leads to more positive initiatives and thoughts. Personally, I have had a list of projects to redecorate my bedroom for quite some time, but since I had been off at school I haven’t had the time to complete them. Now, I am checking each of them off my list to create a space I love and truly represents me! Even if you don’t have the budget to buy new decor, even just rearranging what you currently own can make a space feel brand new! I have also done that in addition to redecorating and have found it makes a huge difference!
- Get Outside
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Lucky for us, this quarentine happened at a time when nicer weather is on the way! Going out for walks in my town when it’s sunny and warm has been a really good way to continue socially distancing while also getting fresh air and exercising. I’d also recommend exploring other hiking areas around where you live because it’s the ultimate chance to do some exploring! Just getting out into nature is a great way to free your mind and focus on the simple things, which is super important to do during this time.
- Focus on What Fulfills You
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Lots of people seem to put pressure on others to do incredible things during this time of social isolation, but the truth is everyone’s definition of fulfillment during this time is different. For one person, continuing to keep up their GPA throughout remote learning keeps them fulfilled, while someone feels better putting their time on practicing self-care or focusing on their mental health. Whatever makes you feel content during this time, know it’s okay and valid. This isn’t solely a productivity contest, so instead focus on the little victories you achieve each day and doing things that continue to make you happy!
I hope all of these things can help bring some positivity to your quarantine routine! Stay calm, wash your hands, and we’ll get through this together ❤︎Â