The lockdown situation has disrupted most of our routines. The sudden slowing down on things and having to stay confined in our houses is not our idea of a holiday, is it? With all that is happening outside and with our social media saturated with news about the virus outbreak, things can get pretty overwhelming. Here is the time to unplug, disconnect, reset and recharge. Having nothing to do and time and again turning to social media can be frustrating and draining.
I hope these ideas will help you break the trend of having to “kill time”, help you reset if you are feeling overwhelmed or give you some motivation to be a little more productive.
1. Declutter/ rearrange / deep clean
Lockdown is the perfect time to give your house a fresh look. Take it one task at a time. Make a 10 days cleaning challenge and deal with one part of your house per day.
Start with your bedroom for example: empty your closet and get rid of clothes and shoes you have not worn in a long time. Empty those drawers and get rid of those expired makeup or skincare products. Wash your makeup brushes. Fold your clothes. Iron the clothes that require ironing. You will thank yourselves afterwards, when you won’t have to do it in the morning before going to work.
Empty that pantry. Clean your fridge. Give your utensils a good organization. Declutter and get rid of whatever you don’t use anymore. Empty your college bag/your work bag/your purse. Throw those receipts away. Give it a good wipe.
2. Meal plan – healthy eating
Staying at home during lockdown meaning cooking a lot more and it seems to never end. Plan your main meals according to what you have at home as you may not be able to go and buy more stuff. This is the perfect opportunity to cut down on take outs, to eat healthy, to try new dishes or to make the dishes you have not made in a long time because you had no time. Make it a fun activity for the kids or cook with your partner. Prepare special breakfast and homemade snacks just like in the old days.
3.Skin care/pamper routine
How long has it been since you did a full pamper routine? Treat your skin with the face mask you have been postponing because you had no time. Oil your hair. Do that hair mask. Do that DIY body scrub you have been wanting to try since long. This is the time to treat your skin if you have been putting it off because of lack of energy and time.
4. Read – nourish your soul
Start reading if you don’t already. There are a lot of books available as free pdf downloads I personally love reading Devotional Books and Bible. This is the ideal time to start preparing yourself Spiritually and be in the right path. Reading the Bible daily, makes you a warrior for yourself, your marriage, and your family, it will help You receive peace and become a confidante of God.
5.Find new hobbies or finish what you left incomplete
If you are fond of something like crocheting or sewing and you left some works undone – take it from there and finish that sweater or that dress. Bake that cake you have been willing to do since so long. Draw that henna design that has been lingering on your mind for so long. Complete that painting. Write that blogpost. Repot those plants!
Personally I have started learning a new language (on my own) that I have been willing to learn since so long. If it was not that I would probably practice my lettering. In short, practice the art that you love – that makes you feel more alive. You might also be missing gym life if you are used to working out. Grab your mat and active wear and do some at home exercises.
6.Family time
You might be frustrated that your children are at home. You might be thinking, how the hell am I supposed to relax when I have children, hungry all the time, running and playing around me?
I am not a parent so I might not be able to say much about it. All i can say is: Let them express themselves. Watch them attentively for a while and see what is it that they are looking for?
Bring the family close. Have all meals together, watch a movie together, cook together, read to them, play games. I love boardgames. Live in the moment during lockdown. Don’t panic and take out frustration or fear on them. Stay calm.
Stop stressing or waiting when will it all end. It will surely come to an end. It might take some times. Don’t waste away two or three weeks waiting for things to get back to normal. These days will never come back. These free times might never come again – at least not so soon.
Protect yourselves. Stay at home and enjoy a slower version of life. Slower but not boring. Remember it will be what you make out of it. The Lord is in control of everything even if it seems impossible to comprehend.
Be patient, be cautious and trust the process.
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