How I've been surviving Quarantine
If you guys aren't from the US, you might not know that in terms of dealing with the Coronavirus, we're seriously failing. While certain things are opening up, I've still been staying home for the most part. With the exception of going to work, I've been predominantly been home since the end of March. It's kind of crazy to think about. Today, I'm going to tell you guys the hobbies and activities I've been doing to survive this pandemic.
Painting
This might be the biggest thing that I've been doing during quarantine. I've always been into doing watercolor, and have been improving slowly. One thing I've been working on is my sketches before I add the watercolor, and it's been so nice to see the improvement in my pieces.
Another thing I've started is working with acrylic paint! It's such a new medium to me, but I've been having a lot of fun with it. I love that if you make a mistake, you can wait for the paint to dry and add another layer and fix it. I recently bought some new acrylic paints from Michaels during their sale, and I'm super excited to play with them. If you need something new to try out, I definitely recommend painting!
I think the one thing that you need to accept when you start painting is that it's not going to be perfect. It might not even always look good! It's supposed to be fun and relaxing, so don't be too hard on yourself if it doesn't come out the way you expect it to.
Working Out
Working out has been a quarantine necessity. My mental health has been a bit all over the place, and so one thing that's been helping tremendously is working out. I switch between doing Peloton cycling classes and some Chloe Ting YouTube workouts (you can get more information on these in this post).
If you been feeling a bit down, I definitely recommend working out, even if its just a 5-10 minute meditation or yoga class.
Watching Youtube
I really enjoy watching YouTube videos when I need to escape for a little bit. While there's been a lot of content I haven't been enjoying, I've been really have been liking Claudia Sulewski, Elena Taber, Kathleen Lights, & Smokey Glow.
Staying Away From Social Media
I feel like with trying to stay informed with the BLM movement & coronavirus, it has been pretty difficult to stay off of social media. I definitely noticed the mental toll it has taken on me, and so I've been trying to just stay off and unplug a bit.
I put a daily restriction on my phone for how much time I'm allowed to spend on social media (1 hour). I wasn't following it much in the month of June, but I'm trying to change that in July.
Reading
During the beginning of quarantine I was reading a lot more than I currently am. I really have been feeling super drained, and the last thing I've been wanting to do is pick up a book and read anything. It's kind of funny considering I have to read 2 book club books by the end of the month. I'm getting through them slowly though!
If you have the mental energy to read a book, it's a great way to escape from reality for a bit.
Working on My Latest Project
As I've mentioned in one of my latest posts, I've been working on a new project, which I'm super excited to announce soon. If you guys are interesting in getting a sneak peak, definitely check out Offbeat Collab's website.
I'm not going to say too much right now, but it's definitely taken up quite a bit of time, which has kept me busy and out of my mental funk.
If you have a project you've been wanting to work on, no pressure, but now's your chance!
Tanning in my backyard
Since I haven't been going out much, I haven't spent as much time outdoors as I usually do during the summer. I found one thing that helps tremendously is going to my backyard and absorbing some sun. Sometimes I'll go in my pool and just relax in the water. It does help to take a break from being in the same space all the time, even if it's just in my backyard.
Listen to Podcasts
At the beginning of the quarantine, I actually made a post about what podcasts I've been listening to. While I haven't been listening to as many podcasts in a week, I do listen to at least 1-2 podcasts throughout the week. They're nice because it's like you're having a conversation with friends.
Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're silly, but they're always entertaining.
Watching TV
One of the things that I've been doing is finally watching some shows I've been dying to watch for a while. Throughout this quarantine, I've gotten through Devious Maids (which is on Hulu), and I'm currently starting the second season of Once Upon A Time (on Netflix).
I'm really loving the creativity and originality of Once Upon a Time. It kinds of reminds me of the play Into the Woods, which puts a whole bunch of fairy tale characters interacting with each other, because they're part of the same universe. If you haven't watched it before, and are looking for something new to watch, they currently have all the seasons on Netflix!
So that's what I've been doing to survive quarantine! What have you been doing? Let me know! I hope you're all doing okay. Sending you love, strength, and positivity. xxx
I don't have the facebook app either, I don't trust their privacy settings and you have to give them a ton of permissions to your phone data just to use the app. No thanks! It's not the most inspiring platform anyways haha
Good luck with everything!!
Omg, I didn't realize it had been so long since I last checked in on your blog. Where did all this time go?
I'm glad to hear you're finding things to keep you sane during the pandemic. Painting is so relaxing! Before covid some of my friends & I would get together for painting nights, I miss that a lot.
Social media has been so draining lately. On facebook I've actually started using the snooze button whenever someone makes a post about politics, or covid, etc. It's kind of helped, now I only see fun things people are posting.
I can't wait to see what your new project is! Hope you're doing well x
Girl, it's been a super weird year and overall time period. I actually don't use the facebook app whatsoever! I have my blog connected to it, so it automatically posts on there, but other than that I don't have any connection for the app. I always felt that facebook wasn't the healthiest space for me, so sometime in high school I just stopped using it.
It's still in the works. Taking a bit longer than expected, but I'm still excited to share it with you all ! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
I'm so intrigued by your upcoming projects, Melina, ahh, wishing you all the very best with them all! 🥰 I'm happy you're finding ways to keep yourself busy and creative, this is so important. And yes! I need to put a limit on my social media time as well, this really takes a toll on my mental health as well.
Take care of yourself, sending you lots of love <3
I've been set a little back for my project, but hopefully I'll be able to share with you soon! I hope you're taking care of yourself as well 🙂 x
It must be very scary living in the US with the corona virus and it seems to be really serious over there too. I hope you are staying safe. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
The US is scary with COVID, the police brutality, and the way our president is running our country! I'm really hoping that things get better soon! Thanks so much for reading and commenting xx
I have been going hiking a lot and it has kept me sane all along 🙂
Hiking is such a great thing to do now! I haven't really been hiking that much, but as soon as the weather gets a little bit cooler I'll start doing that! Thanks so much for commenting 🙂 x
Painting is something I really want to do. I did a paint nite group type thing at one of my previous jobs and I really enjoyed it.
You definitely should! Painting is such a fun and relaxing activity, and now's the best time to try something new! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
I've been cleaning, doing some needed deep cleaning projects, making lists and trackers, working on my die cutting business, organizing and tossing old items out around the house, and working on my blogging!
omg, I've been totally slacking on my cleaning during quarantine, but I did a huge deep cleaning for the past two weeks, and it feel so good! You have been super busy this quarantine! I wish you the best of luck with your business, I hope it's doing well and thriving during the pandemic. Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
Quarantine has definitely been a strange time, but also an opportunity to try new things and try to establish a healthier lifestyle. Nice post!
I have been trying to learn a new language during quarantine, so you're definitely right about trying new things! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
I know exactly what you mean about working out being good for your mental health, as I have been enjoying it for the same reason. When the lockdown measures were strict, I couldn't function without getting that walk in. This is such a great post and I hope you're doing well xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply! Even as things are lightening up over here now, I still find so much stress relief and feel so much better after a workout. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I hope you're doing well as well xx