8 Things I'll Continue to Do Once Social Distancing Is Over
Staying at Home Has Changed My Lifestyle — Here's What I Plan to Keep Doing Once It's Over
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If there's anything that staying at home has taught me, its to slow down, relax, and enjoy the small things. Sometimes the world moves too fast, and you don't have a minute to "stop and smell the roses," if you will. That's been my life in a nutshell — always on the move, making plans, filling up every inch of spare time, because you only live once, right? Although I miss my busy life, this new lifestyle has opened my eyes to new hobbies and healthy habits that I wouldn't have otherwise tried — like making my bed first thing in the morning or busting my brain over a 750-piece puzzle. With every hard time comes some good, and here are the good things I want to keep doing once the COVID-19 dust settles.
1 Making My Bed First Thing
There's something so satisfying about waking up and making your bed first thing in the morning — it sets the tone for the whole day! I'm more productive, in a better mood, and am ready to take on the world. Almost every day that I make my bed is a good day, and even if it isn't, at least my bed's made.
2 Reading a Good Book
3 Video Chats With Friends
I would have never thought to sit down for a Zoom call when I had so many opportunities to see friends and family in person. Even friends across the country felt the same, that we all had better things to do. Planning trips sounded like a better alternative than sitting in front of a computer. Now that we're all at home, video chats have been a great method of keeping in touch, and I feel closer to my friends now more than ever.
4 Going For Walks
Walks have always been part of my routine. If I had to go somewhere that was in walking distance, sure, I'd walk. But typically, I wouldn't just walk for no reason — that's what I had my outdoor runs for. Prioritising walks around the neighbourhood, and actually looking up to see everything around me, has been super refreshing and allows me to take more in than my runs do.
5 Doing Puzzles
6 Trying New Recipes
I'm a terrible cook/baker. However, when I stick to easy recipes, like these three-ingredient oatmeal cookies (I replaced the vanilla protein powder for chocolate chips, and it was SO good), my cooking tends to turn out OK. I now make these cookies every week, and I love them first thing in the morning!
7 Working Out at Home
At-home workouts have never been my cup of tea, as I've always enjoyed the energy of a workout class or felt more motivated inside of a gym. However, now that gyms are closed, I've been turned on to some calorie-scorching classes that are too efficient to not keep doing.
8 Colouring
You bet as soon as we heard we were staying at home, my roommate and I ordered colouring books: two Lisa Frank books plus this hilarious Cat Butt colouring book ($8). Colouring is such a fun activity to do in your spare time, and it's taken my mind off all things stressful.
