Staying Calm in the Chaos
Hi friends. This blog post is different than the other ones, because times are different now than they were even a week ago. Things are uncertain, chaotic, and stressful.
I know myself - and I know that if I don't have a normal routine, I will actually go insane while social distancing for the next couple weeks. I am absolutely a creature of habit, so I realize this is going to take some adjusting on my end. I just know that if I'm going to be home for awhile, I need to set myself up for success. I thought that sharing these tips might help you, too!
1. Keeping a routine- This one is probably most important for me. Being at home all day can lead you (meaning me) to skip workouts, stray from a meal plan, or sit on the couch for too long. I'm holding myself accountable by writing out a daily schedule of goals I want to hit or habits that I want to stick to. I write down everything in my Simplified Planner - I cannot say enough good things about it! It helps me see everything that's important to me in one place, without all of the extra clutter that some planners have. I'm making sure that I get up at a normal time, continue my normal morning routine (healthy breakfast, face washing, etc), and getting in a few cleaning tasks daily.
2. Scheduling my workouts- I'm committing to getting in at least one workout a day - not only for my health, but for my sanity! Working out helps me feel so much better and stay focused. I'm also trying to get in at least one 30-minute walk outside per day. If the weather is bad, I'm getting in 30 minutes on the treadmill. Writing my workouts in my planner helps to hold me accountable to actually doing them.
3. Staying on top of what we need- Usually, I only shop week to week. With the craziness in the grocery stores, I want to have a little bit extra on hand. That does NOT mean I'm going to go out and buy more than we need, but I want to make sure that we have enough to get by for a few weeks if the stores are running low, or if one of us is sick and legitimately can't leave the house. I started taking notice of what we're running low on, and keeping a running list on our fridge. That way, when I make the grocery list on Friday or Saturday, I'm able to get everything that we need in one trip. It's also important to do this for pet food and treats!
4. Checking in on others- I've made it a point to check in on neighbors, friends, and family more often than I normally would. This past week or so has been super stressful, and staying home for the foreseeable future can feel really isolating. Thankfully, we have so much technology that can help us feel connected. Try making a FaceTime date with a family member, checking in on a neighbor, or scheduling a virtual workout with a friend. There are so many ways that we can help each other out during these next couple weeks. Also on my list? Sending cards to my friends. It's something small to let them know I'm thinking of them, and will bring a smile to their face.
5. Self care- It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but make sure that you make self care a priority. Paint your nails, put on a face mask, or listen to a podcast. Small activities like this will help you maintain a sense of normalcy, and keep your spirits up. Last week I shared the Olive & June Everything Box on my blog - it's a great alternative to going to the salon to get your nails done, and it will save you a ton of money! It has everything you need in it to get a salon quality mani at home. Check out the post for the full rundown!
6. Taking a break from the screen- Whether it be the TV, phone, or computer, make sure you take a break from staring at the screen. Get some exercise, journal, read, or take a power nap. There is information overload out there right now, and for our own mental health we need to step away from it for awhile.
7. Praying- All we can do (besides social distancing!) is pray. Pray for everyone affected by this virus. Pray for the doctors, nurses, first responders, and everyone on the front lines of this. I have no doubt that God has a plan and that we're all going to make it through this. All of my trust is in Him, and it helps ease my anxiety knowing that the future is in His hands.
Thank you all for reading along! I hope you found this post helpful - drop any other tips you may have that could help others! We're all in this together. <3