I woke up this morning to a Snapchat memory that reminded me that this time last year I was driving up Highway 101 with my college friends to start Spring Break via the scenic route. We were all blissfully unaware of the phrases “social distancing” and “flatten the curve,” our only real concern being how long we would be able to stay in Big Sur until we had to get back in time for dinner.
A few views from that trip I'd vastly prefer to my computer screen
(Locations in order: Table Rock Beach, McWay Falls, Dunes in Montaña de Oro State Park )
Flash forward a year later, the most exciting thing I did today was change out of my pajama pants into some grey sweats, just to spice things up. But that’s quarantine for you. After a week of slightly awkward zoom lectures and some intense arguments with my sister, it has become clear that I have to establish a new normal to stay sane as we all work together to push back against COVID-19 by practicing social distancing.
With that in mind, here are five things to do during quarantine that don’t involve sleep or another Instagram challenge.
1. Learn a New Hobby
When I am at school, I am always telling myself that I will read more or finally get serious about creating an actual fashion sense. Now that we are on quarantine, you actually have the time to work on that one thing you’re constantly promising yourself you’ll get better at that you wouldn't normally have time for. Keep an eye out for an upcoming Youtube video for examples of what some of the members of W.S.S. are doing to keep busy!
2. Play Some Fun Games
While practicing social distancing, it can be hard to feel connected to the people you aren’t living with. Although Facetime and texting are the classic ways to keep in touch, here are some fun apps I use to play with friends to keep busy. All can be found in the App Store and take less than a minute to download!
Trivia Crack
My friend group was addicted to this for a while in high school, trivia of all kinds for categories ranging from sports to history. It gets cutthroat!
Words with Friends
Scrabble but make it electronic! Great to play with older family members too.
Evil Apples
Can be compared to Cards Against Humanity, very entertaining. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend playing with younger siblings though, as it can get a little mature.
3. Get Serious about Journaling
Although it isn’t for everyone, writing can be a great way to destress and collect all of your thoughts. This is a time of serious change, which you can use as a catalyst for serious reflection that can help you think about what you really want from life. If writing isn’t your thing, try making a sketchbook or putting together some collages.
I am not nearly artistic enough to make this journal example (found it on Pinterest, great place to look for inspo!) However, I actually made the collages last week. Proof you don't need to be super creative to express yourself, just make it your own!
4. Make a Bucket List
Just like journaling can be a good time for reflection, this is also a good time to create some goals for the remaining months of 2020. Here’s one that I made really quickly in my notes app. I know it may be hard to picture what we will all be able to accomplish in the coming months, but I think it's important to be as optimistic as possible!
5. Remember to Appreciate the Ones You Keep Close
I was given one day by SDSU to move out of my apartment, so needless to say it was a pretty rough transition readjusting to sharing a room with my sister and being part of my six member household again. My mother is a nurse and is exposed to the virus every time she sets foot into her hospital, so everyone in my family is worried and tensions are running high. However, it is important to remember that although the people we love often drive us the craziest, this time in history proves you never really know what the future holds- so remember to tell the people close to you that they matter.
Obviously, I’d much rather be typing this blog post from a coffee shop in Capitola with my friends by my side than alone in my bed at 10:30 p.m., but as advanced as the medical field is, disease is simply one thing we cannot totally control. However, what we can control is how we react to it. During the coming months, remember to keep busy, stay focused, stay INSIDE, and check in on your people- just as long as it’s from a safe distance.
*Remember to look out for the YouTube video on our new channel with more things to do during quarantine coming soon! ;)*
Stay safe and healthy!
Hannah
P.S. I have also found that this is a great time to go through all my old clothes and possessions to do some spring cleaning. When the time comes, here are links to three articles that share some organizations that can always use donations of any kind!