MAD ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING — MAD ABOUT MANHATTAN

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I have posted, but now that it is week three of Quarantine, I have been cooped up inside with all of my creative thoughts and had to get them out! How crazy are the times right now? My heart goes out to every healthcare worker, nurse, doctor, ER driver, delivery man, and countless others working hard out on the front lines while we are safe indoors. It is so important to social distance from everyone at all times right now. I have been lucky enough to be with my parents during this time at home cooking dinners, going for long walks and more to keep ourselves busy. Below I listed my Typical Quarantine Day. I am also sharing some ideas to keep yourself busy and productive! Listing all of my Netflix shows I SWEAR by as well, enjoy and stay healthy!

Typical Quarantine Day:

• Wake up & stretch. Be thankful for another day 🙏🏻
• Make protein smoothie 🥤
• Work out via yoga mat with exercise video 🎥
• Clean around the house
• Organize bathroom/closets/form give away piles .
• Lunch with my mama 👩🏼‍🍳 She’s been digging my protein peanut 🥜 butter smoothies!
• Feed the cows 🐂
• Make Walmart & grocery store runs 🛒
• Work on farm/give hay or treats to animals/wildlife 🦌
• Go for a run or walk 🏃🏼‍♀️ at a local park .
• Cook Dinner & eat as a family 🍽 Thank heavens Costco has amazing pre made meals as well! 🥘
• Puzzle/Play Scrabble with fam/watch Netflix together/Read 📚 or Draw ✍🏻
• Bedtime snuggles with Maisy 🐱

QUARANTINE IDEAS (Ways to Avoid Boredom):

- Journal your thoughts! This is extremely therapeutic and helps you handle stress. You do not have to write a novel, just a few things you are feeling, thinking or worried about. Having these thoughts out on paper makes things more manageable. I journal things I am grateful for, the people I love, who is important and why. I sometimes jot down poems, song lyrics, ideas and most importantly, LISTS!

- Exercise. I know, you may beg the question: But How?! I am stuck in my home! There are so many free online videos for at home work outs that require zero equipment! I have a yoga mat, but a carpet or towel will do as well. If you scroll on YouTube, Facebook Live gyms, Instagram Live fitness instructors are all posting tons of free content to keep you healthy and moving—even in a tiny space.

- Breathe some fresh air if you can. I know you are not supposed to venture outside, but opening a window, or finding your local park to walk or run will do your restless mind and feet wonders. I have been trying out all the parks and walking trails around my area with my family. I love hitting 10,000 steps every day and feeling some sun on my face.

- Give Back, Donate Food. There are dozens of churches and food shelters around every city and town that are asking for food donations. You do not have to go buy a lot for others if that is not possible in your budget, but I know you have an unopened can of soup, or a box of mac and cheese you could drop off. Most people think they need to give a ton in order to participate, however, even just one item can add up! Plus, it feels amazing to know someone and or their child will be fed or have snacks in this dark time.

- Step Away From The News, Read a Book! If there was ever a perfect time to read that book collecting dust on your night stand, now is the time. It will feel nice to get lost in someone else’s story and world for a while. So, curl up in your cozy clothes, let us be real-pajamas, and open up a good read.

- Work on Projects Around Your House/Apartment. I can tell you that I have completely organized my entire bathroom, closets and every single drawer in my room. While doing this I have also created piles of out grown clothes to give away as well. It is funny, since we are spending all this time at home in our intimate space, might as well clean it, organize it and make it a pleasant place to be! You won’t regret it.

- Create! Whether it be music, painting, drawing, collaging, crafting or a Do It Yourself project, get your hands dirty. It will calm you in so many ways when you turn off your worries and tune into your artistic side. You do not have to be amazing at any of these activities, simply trying and doing is the best part! I find it so cathartic when I pick up a pen and sketch. I will share some of my most recent ones below!

- Take a Hiatus from Social Media/Your Phone. You can do this through meditating, even for ten or twenty minutes, centering your thoughts can make a world of difference. I try to do stretches in my room or spend quality time with my family, socializing without any distractions. If you are by yourself during this time, you can write notes or cards to mail to loved ones to know you are thinking of them. There is something so beautiful about snail mail.

- Get Cookin’! I have awakened a chef inside during this period at home. Since the only place we can truly go to and access is the grocery store, I have gotten creative with making new recipes and meals at home. My dad and I have enjoyed spending quality time together cooking dinner for the family. Costco, Walmart and your local grocery store all have pre made meals, dinners to go and cooking kits for your convenience that are delicious and let you try new things! It can be fun to experiment, for example, tonight I had Korean BBQ which was outstanding, while yesterday I had Sloppy Joes with Manwich! The possibilities are endless.

- Spring Cleaning. Here, I do not mean organizing, I am referring to vacuuming, swiffering, dusting, washing, laundry, scrubbing behind corners, bathroom tubs, toilets, sinks! I know no one truly enjoys doing this, but you will be so glad when you finish. It also burns a lot of calories cleaning! So a great form of exercise believe it or not and you will definitely reach your 10,000 steps for the day. Plus, it feels good to start fresh, and anew.

- FaceTime/Zoom. I have been FaceTiming my girlfriends every few days to stay sane! Even though some of us live less than a mile apart, we are all trying our best to be safe and cautious, so virtual hugging and laughs will have to do! After a two hour FT with my best friend, I felt like myself again, getting that essential girl time socialization that we all need. It is also so important to reach out and call your loved ones, family and those who are alone as well right now.

- Self Care. Oh yeah, you have every right to whip out those face masks you thought you would never have the time to use. Fill up your tub with bubbles and take a long bath with a great playlist in the background. Do a mini spa night and treat yourself. This also applies to getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and remembering to eat! Let yourself have that extra Girl Scout cookie, times are strange. I love to light candles and snuggle with my kitty while watching a great show with a bowl of my favorite ice cream—mint chocolate chip!