Self-Care for Self-Quarantine
A time when the words “social distancing” are a normalcy — we choose to stay home, we choose to do what helps slow the spread of coronavirus, but now what?
My secret sauce: stay positive, get creative, and remember: self care is not selfish!
Stay positive.
Something that’s been keeping a smile on my face during this time are the bright stories rising out of the darkness of a pandemic. I’m low with the unknowns and anxiety, then my friend asks me if I’ve seen the video of the workout instructor in Spain giving a rooftop workout class to all his neighbors on their balconies. I’m unsure of what will come of all of this, and then I hear my cousin share that she’s never felt closer to her friends in about four years, and they have a facetime-dress-up-dinner-party planned for this weekend. I worry about our economy and how we will all rebound from this, and I hear story after story of others donating, sharing, and stepping up for each other. From neighbors, to foreign countries, to strangers on the internet — community resilience is a beautiful thing.
So, you know the old adage, “you are what you eat?” think of that, but with media. Stay informed using official websites such as the CDC and WHO, and help yourself stay positive by resisting media binges that are negative, anxiety-ridden, and aren’t necessarily productive.
Best instagram accounts to help stay positive right now:
@upworthy (like seriously, follow them now for smiles.)
@analogbynat (aesthetic, positive, and creative.)
@soolooka (cute, happy cartoons.)
Best news sites to help stay positive right now:
Get creative!
Everyone’s home lives, I’m sure, are drastically different between location, children or no children, rural or urban, but I believe there are ways to indulge in some creative self care — for everyone. Finger paint with your kids, pick up scrapbooking again, draw, make crafts. What’s unique here, is you can challenge yourself to get extra creative, by working with what you already have. Don’t have the “right” paper for your paints? See what happens when you paint on fabric, newspaper, or that old piece of wood that’s sat in your side yard for 6 years. Don’t have paint? Draw with what you do have, or get inspired to use mediums you’ve never tried before…
Some instagram accounts to inspire creativity:
@thecraftedlife (fun, cheery, DIY ideas.)
@thediyday (cute, attainable, art fun.)
@prettylifegirls (arts & crafts, baking, and smiles.)
If you’ve never heard of Marie Kondo, the author of The Magic Art of Tidying Up, she’s the founder of the “KonMari” method. You may be wondering, “Why are you talking about cleaning, when you’re supposed to be talking about getting creative?” There’s an essential connection here, I promise. Kondo’s method teaches the following: by actively choosing items that spark joy, and discarding what doesn’t, the intention of the KonMari method is to end up with a clutter-free home that is better able to bring more joy and prosperity to your life. While tidying, she encourages you to visualize the life you want to live — to be less stressed, for example — and what you need to get there. Anything that won’t help on that journey isn’t deserving of your space or you, she says.
This cleaning method is much more than simply cleaning — the philosophy shared here is rooted in the concept of, “declutter your home, declutter your life.” If you feel creative blocks, if it’s difficult for you to tap into the right-brain, if you often feel overwhelmed in your space — maybe it’s time to experience the magic art of tidying up. What better time than when self-quarantining?
Remember: self-care is not selfish.
This is a perfect time to practice this difficult feat. You’re allowed to “do nothing” right now. You’re allowed to slow down. Your productivity doesn’t have to equate with your self-worth. Take care of yourself.
