#QuarantineChronicles
I feel like everyone has their own unique experience with how they’ve been handling being quarantined while COVID-19 is seemingly running wild. Some of us are about to lose our minds from not being able to work or do our usual activities. Some of us are taking this time to work on creative projects and business plans that we don’t have time for in our regular life. And, some of us are just trying to use this time to slow down and relax. Regardless of how you’ve chosen to use your time during this pandemic, it’s safe to say that finding normalcy at a time of uncertainty is difficult.
When the quarantine first started, I can’t say I was really upset. I like to hang out and travel; however, I’m an introvert and I do not mind being home in my space at all. Even though my job would be transitioning to us working remotely, I was still optimistic about being able to accomplish some of my creative goals. I was quickly mistaken. In fact, I’ve been more stressed out working from home than working in an actual office. Stress management is something that has been an ongoing battle for me. It drains my energy, my creativity, and triggers my anxiety. If I’m being honest, most of my quarantine has been spent combatting stress and anxiety because I get so overwhelmed at times. It definitely hasn’t been easy, but it has definitely made me stronger because I was forced to enact my coping mechanisms.
I think my biggest struggle was the inability to kind of separate my job from my home life. Typically, your home is supposed to be your place to unwind and relax after a long day, but I wasn’t feeling that way about it anymore. It also didn’t help that I don’t have my office space set up quite yet. Actually, I’m currently in the process of switching my guest room over to my office space so I think that’ll help tremendously. One of the biggest changes I’ve made to help me deal with my anxiety is to be more intentional in what I do with my time once I get off, and on weekends. I’ve started cooking a whole lot more, and it’s become more of a hobby than a task. I also been focused more on my creative writing, than I have on my blogging. Whether I’m working on a current story, or crafting out new ideas for a future story, it’s been a nice way to pass time. I’ve also gone back to some trusted hobbies from when I was younger such as coloring (I have this really good stress-free coloring book) and reading. Somehow, in the midst of adulting, I’d neglected both of those activities. Lastly, if you know me, then you know I have to get my Sims time in. That’s literally my little escape from reality Lol.
The main thing I have realized though is that my health has to take priority. Throughout this quarantine, we’ve been told to prioritize our physical health, but we can’t neglect our mental health in the process. We may not have access to many of the things that we normally use to keep us sane, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discover or implement other ways of self-care. That could be working out on a daily basis, taking a walk in the park for some fresh air, or even just setting a bed time. Not everyone is in the position to come out of quarantine with a new hustle or a new hobby; however, I definitely think it’s possible to come out of this quarantine with new ways to combat stress or self-care practices that we can take with us whenever life goes back to normal!
Sincerely,
Carmen <3
P.S. What are some new hobbies or self-care methods that you’ve picked up while in quarantine?
