How to Survive Quarantine

In this time of complete and utter uncertainty, the best we can do, is keep calm, follow instructions, and try not to kill anyone were confined to our home with. Hello, and welcome to my shoes. I know my motto for this blog is exploring the world one step at a time, but for a little bit now, the world I have been exploring is the new and unknown world of what has fallen to the back of the fridge. And the cupboards……. and the freezer. But instead of sitting around, binge eating and binge watching, I thought, what else can I do with all of this idle time? Just because I’m stuck in my house doesn’t mean all I can do is keep the couch warm. So without further ado, here are 7 things I’ve been doing to survive quarantine.

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1. Practicing other languages

Now, I’ve wanted to master another language for the longest time. Things however, kept getting in the way. But I realized, while intensely staring at a wall one day, that learning a language doesn’t just have to be about staring at words until they mean something.

So, I start the morning as usual with a little bit of TV. Only this time, its in French with English subtitles. Then, I look through some Korean note cards I made. Finally before bed, I watch more TV, but while its playing, I do my best to translate it into ASL (or American Sign Language) and if there’s any words that I don’t know, I look them up. This routine has made a great difference in my learning speed, and my enjoyment of learning for that matter.

2. Reading Anything

To be honest, I am in that group of people that would rather run a mile than read a book. Truly, it can be painful for me. For years I refused to touch a book for fear boredom might reach me through contact. But over the years and especially now, I’ve realized that reading does have it’s benefits.

When you read, it doesn’t have to be for research purposes. It can be just for fun, or out of curiosity. And when I say, reading anything, I mean ANYTHING. I’ve been reading all of the pieces of junk mail, trash emails, terms and conditions…….yeah when you’ve got a lot of time on your hands you do some peculiar things, and gain a ton, of useless knowledge. But you’d be surprised where you use this knowledge. Like in an award conversation. I guess what I’m trying to say, is don’t judge a book, a letter, or a shampoo bottle by its cover.

3. Gardening

There has always been a great myth, that some people are born with the ability to encourage life in their back yard, whereas others, just kill everything they try to grow. I have been trying to garden for years. Different plants, different pots, different fertilizer. And I’m not gonna lie, it got depressing after a while just watching these helpless plants slowly fade. But just before this quarantine happened, I asked a friend for some help.

She helped me to realize what I was missing. Plants tell you what they want. And apparently, my plants wanted morning light hardly any water and other plant friends to keep them company because now, I officially have a proper garden. I highly suggest starting a garden, not only because it is a great use of your time, but because it is a valuable skill, it helps to manage any anxiety from this crazy world, and hey, free-ish food. Hooray!

4. Cooking

Cooking was my tried and true enemy. You can probably tell from the other paragraphs that this year I’ve been tackling some challenges and long time enemies such as reading and gardening. However, I can’t truly say this with any other activity, but cooking was an enemy. I have a few pesky food allergies, and every time I started cooking I thought for sure I would prepare something wrong and everyone who ate it would be dead. So, yeah. I’ve never been much of a cook.

I went shopping with my mom one day, and I noticed a little Irish cook book. The recipes have only a few ingredients, and no more than 4 steps. I realized that we could be going into quarantine soon, so I thought, the Irish like potatoes right? I can cook potatoes. I think…. so, I picked a couple of recipes to try. I have family members still alive today to say that I was able to successfully cook, and/or help cook dinner. Thank you Irish people for your love of potatoes, it helped me get over my fear of cooking.

5. Declutter

Declutter your room. Declutter your house. Declutter your inbox. Declutter anything insight, then declutter things out of sight so you don’t have a gnawing thought in the back of your mind that, yes your room is clean, but that closet. Whatever you do don’t open the closet.

When you declutter it is amazing. Not only will you feel like you have more space, but it also gives you piece of mind. Piece of mind in knowing where everything is. Need to write a paper in 30 mins or less? No problem, you have all your tools in their spot so you can ace this thing. Need to go to the hospital urgently? All your stuff is where it needs to be so you can get to the hospital in the nick of time.

6. Find Something You Gave up on

We all have given up on something in our life time. Whether it was something like building an RC car, or a business that you just couldn’t keep afloat. Life throws things at us to either crumple our dreams or distract us. That’s just what it does.

But right now, you’re in your own space, and life has temporarily lost track of you. So why not take a new look at that business you loved so much? Maybe finish that little RC car so you can share it with someone else who enjoy’s your passion of cars? The things we didn’t do are just as important as the things we did do. So in this seemingly never ending down time, take a look at something that didn’t happen and see if you can change that.

7. Try Something New

Many people are only confident enough to try something new when their in the comfort and security of their own home. That being said, we are literally at home now, basically 24/7. So why not try something new?

Paint, calculate complex math, try expressive dancing. Anything. Even if it seems odd to everyone else, try it! You’re at home in your own space, but what makes that space special is what you do in it. So use that space to try new things and break your own personal boundaries. Be creative, be skeptical, be pure you.

That’s it!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! In this time of unrest, quarantine, and anxiety, make sure that you’re staying safe and healthy. And I hope you’re quarantined with your favorite people. If not, I might also suggest spending some time to find a good hiding spot.

Thank you so much for reading the latest installment of the welcome to my shoes blog! I post every other week so be sure to subscribe to my blog if you want to read more. Good bye, and thank you for joining me as I explore the world one step at a time.