Living Through COVID-19 Quarantine Alone

Here we are, another blog written about the famous COVID -19 pandemic. After a month of chaos and so much uncertainty, many are struggling to remember what life was like before all of this. Being able to go to Target without someone judging that you're standing to close, being able to visit a loved one in the hospital, or being able to go out to a restaurant with family and friends to celebrate something. These are all things that were taken away so suddenly. Some of you were able to get home to go through this with loved ones by their side but then there are some, like me, who were unable to get home before the storm hit. During this time I urge those who made it home to not take this time for granted. The fact that you are able to stand and be with those people all in the same house is a gift right now. For those of us that were unable to return home, here are tips I have done to keep my mind and spirits in check.

Always make your bed after you wake up.

This is an easy and simple way to start your day off on a positive note. It only takes a few seconds, but it will help you not only create a schedule to hold to, but it also forces you to start the day positively. It also makes it hard for you to jump back in bed to nap when you feel like the day has gone on a long time. Sleep patterns are very important, pandemic or no pandemic.

Go on a walk at least once a day.

If you're like me, this is essential. Allowing yourself at least a couple times a day to go outside and get vitamin D is so important to fight off stress and worry. It allows you to have the chance to run into people (6 feet apart at all times of course) and have personal interaction for the day. Times may be crazy right now but that doesn't mean you have to cut yourself off from the world.

Make cooking fun.

We all are hitting that point after a month of quarantine where it feels like we've cooked about 5 thousand meals. If you're like me, you are learning how to really cook now, more than you've ever before. I always said I wanted to be one of those people that orders out less and cooks at home more but this is NUTS. So, maybe it's hard but there's no reason you can't make it enjoyable. Turn on some of your favorite music and have a dance party while that chicken is cooking, sing a solo to your dog, learn that new TikTok dance everyone is doing, and just make it fun! I personally start every meal prepping with, " Alexa, play me some cooking music."

Find a new hobby.

Keep your brain active and learning and don't just become one of those people that sit and binge watch everything on Netflix to pass the time. Now, am I the type of person that can waste a day on Netflix and scrolling Facebook? Absolutely. But, recently I am trying to break that streak because I have seen all this time pass by and I have nothing to show for it. Here is where this blog comes in. I may not be the best with words (and grammar), but I have always wanted to blog. I feel like I have a lot to say and this is a way for me to express my thoughts. Maybe for you it's cleaning and purging through your Facebook friends or starting on TikTok to make silly videos, just do something productive. Work is important so make sure you do that too but don't forget to keep growing and learning for yourself as well.

Just because you're living alone doesn't mean you're alone.

Everyone around you is going through the same pandemic you are, no matter if they have more people in the house than you or not. Reach out to those you love, take time to connect with friends, and don't cut yourself off from everyone. We live in a digital age where being alone is literally impossible. Netflix allows you to watch with friends on shows, you can play video games together, and you can FaceTime/call anyone. I have had the chance to catch up with people who I haven't had time to talk to in a while just because of COVID-19, so take advantage of it! Pick up your phone and call someone you haven't spoken to in a while and check in on someone you know that may be stressing through all of this because we are in it together.

I could go on and on with tips but I think you get the point. Just don't waste this time doing something unproductive that when you look back you regret. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep loving those who are in your life. Check on those around you and in your community to make sure they are getting though this okay because this world needs love now more than ever. This pandemic has given us a lot to stress out about but it has also given us a gift to come together not just nationally, but globally. Don't be a person who ignores that gift and only focuses on the negative.