Well, here we are! How did we get here? When will normal life return? I’ve got zero answers for you. All I can offer you are some ideas of what you can do now that you’re at home. Let’s do this.
Put music (that you enjoy) on in the background of your house in the morning or in the evening as a way to single out the start or end of the day. Maybe this sounds dumb, but it really helps break up times of the day. (Lately I’ve been in a very nostalgic mood and I’ve been listening to old Smashing Pumpkins albums I haven’t listened to in about twenty years, it’s been really nice.)
Watch episodes of TV shows that you’ve already seen and loved. There’s something nice about not just binging certain new shows but instead watching things that have already made you happy in the past. Or maybe that’s just me. Are you seeing a pattern here with me and the past? Fuck am I depressed?
If that show or movie you really want to watch isn’t available on any of your streaming services, I use putlockers.chat pretty regularly and it’s been great. I think it works whatever country you’re in.
If you’ve ever been a fan of The Simpsons, I have cultivated a favourite episodes list from over the years that I’d happily send anyone looking for especially good episodes to watch. Tell me your favourite character and I can tailor the list to their best episodes.
Call people. It’s so weird and great that it’s becoming socially acceptable to call people again (and not just text). Call even if you have nothing to say.
Improvise with your cooking habits. I usually follow every single instruction when I’m reading a recipe, so this one was hard for me to try. I did it yesterday though and it worked out great! You just have to make sure you’re trying out ingredients that you already love, and then incorporate them with regular old recipes.
Take more photos of your pets and send them to me. Or your other friends. Definitely me, though.
Write letters to your people and mail them. I’ll continue to love doing this until I’m dead in the ground since it really does make me happy. Even if all you have to write is a tiny little update. Be honest about how you’re feeling in this crazy time and share it with someone you love. This kind of thing helps me more than so many other things.
I started a Things That Made Me Laugh highlight reel on my Instagram and fuck I wish every single person I knew had one of these. I’d watch them endlessly. Love seeing what other people laugh at. (Sorry about my laugh in all of the videos. It doesn’t get cuter with time.)
Do face masks, hair masks, do your fingernails and toenails (BEGGING Nathan to do this with me), make an at-home body scrub out of stuff definitely in your kitchen. Yes this stuff is boring, but it make you feel so fucking together sometimes.
If you find yourself reading or listening to the news too much, literally just turn your phone off for an agreed upon time. Like, actually turn it off. Don’t put it on silent or Do Not Disturb, turn that fucker off. You’re allowed.
Try not to wear the same pajamas every day. Just for your sanity. And the sanity of anyone in your home who has to look at you. It’s exhausting to see the same tattered gym shorts daily on someone you love.
If I think of more things (I definitely will), then I’ll add to this list. Stay safe!