The smart thing to do during the current Covid-19 pandemic is to self quarantine and practice social distancing. And in our technological age that seems to be centered around social media, it would seem like staying inside and away from the world would be easy, right? Wrong. The honest reality of social distancing is that oftentimes your day doesn’t start with a 7 am full body workout and an elegant brunch buffet you managed to make using your culinary skills you developed during your undergrad. It is filled with tiredness, loneliness, and falling into a dreadful routine of wake up, eat, Netflix, nap, repeat. Not to mention the guilt with feeling like you should be more productive. But the truth is, it’s hard staying positive when your mind doesn’t know how much longer this new “reality” will last. Taking it a day at a time will help. But if you are like the average twenty-something who might need a little motivational pus, here’s a few things to do that will keep you occupied and mentally at ease during this quarantine.
Rearrange Your Room
If you are a part of the hundreds of thousands of college students who found themselves back at their parents a few months earlier than anticipated, know that you are not alone. Being back in a space you haven’t called home can be difficult to adjust to, especially when you’ve had the sweet taste of independence for several months reorganizing your space can make you feel so much better and gives you an opportunity to breathe and reset your mind. The ancient Chinese practise of Feng Shui follows the belief that living in harmony with balance in your surrounding environment helps ease the mind. Organising and clearing out clutter could be the very thing to help you feel more productive and more calm.
Try New Recipes
Keeping yourself occupied in the kitchen is a great way to distract yourself from negativity from the news and the loneliness that comes with self isolation. Looking up easy recipes (or complicated ones, you have the time!) creates something to look forward to. Take this time to look through your Recipes board on Pinterest because, let’s be honest, we all have one, and dig up that ten step recipe from Bon Appetit you convinced yourself you could never make. Plan out meals in advance and when you make your next mandatory trip to the grocery store, stock up on produce you can use for several dishes. Just remember: NEVER grocery shop when you’re hungry!
Reconnect With Your Major
It’s easy to accept semester defeat and throw in the towel at this part of our lives. With classes turning online, the attitude for many college students at the moment is “Just try and pass”. If you remember why you went to college in the first place (to learn and gain a successful career) then it might help with the isolation blues. The beautiful part about every major is that there are amazing qualities within every one that makes them unique. Staying aware and gaining that interest back will make you more excited for when this quarantine ends. English majors? Remember why you love English. Pick an old favorite from your collection of classics. STEM majors? Keep up with new advancements with science and technology that aren’t related to Covid-19. Look at space, read articles on developments in engineering. Theatre majors? There are an abundance of amazing broadway productions with live recordings to watch online for free. Dim your bedroom lights, pop popcorn and let the joy of musical theatre carry you away. Every major is special, remember why you love yours.