Some people say it isn’t as bad as the media is saying. Some say it is worse. You are in charge of your own person so it is up to each and every one of us to find our comfort zone in regards to the COVID 19 Pandemic. And yes, they have said it is a pandemic.
I am NOT in the medical profession and am in no way an expert. I do have family members who are in the medical profession or who have expertise in various medical areas and I am listening to their advice as well. But when it comes down to it it is a personal decision. I am exercising caution and trying to just be smart. Social distancing is the practice of staying safe by avoiding large groups, closing buildings and canceling events. That is happening all over with a lot of groups and organizations. We had a concert we were attending cancel earlier in the week as a precaution. WFH (work from home) is a great way to approach this if you are in a job that that is possible.
So I have been thinking about what we can do while we are self isolating ourselves. Here are some of my ideas that I am practicing.
Clean out your pantry and freezer and fridge. This is a great time to do it. We made a shopping trip to pick up a few staples the other day (not panic buying but just a small stocking up of shelf stable foods) and before I went I cleaned out my pantry and freezer. It was wonderful to get them all organized and toss out anything that needed to be tossed out.
Read a book. Read a series of books. If you don’t want to go to a library there are many ebook options out there through many services. I read many on my Kindle through different sources such as Libby and Overdrive which are part of what my local library offers as a service to the community. Of course you can always buy e books online as well but don’t you just love free books from the library?
Binge watch something you have always wanted to watch. We subscribe to several streaming services and our latest binge is The Brownwood Mysteries. It’s a great time to watch something that you have put off watching.
Bake something. Baking always makes me happy and if I bake a lot I can stick it in my newly cleaned freezer. I am looking at these fabulous looking chocolate chip cookie recipes as a starting point. Maybe I can do something with all of those frozen bananas I found in the freezer.
Clean a room. Clean a couple rooms. Do spring cleaning. Make your house spotless and germ free. Not only is it a good feeling it is good for you to have a germ free house. Just don’t spill your coffee while you are doing it like I did.
Write a letter or note to someone you don’t normally write to. It’s a great time to sit down and put pen to paper and write a nice handwritten letter to someone that comes to mind. I can assure you they will appreciate it.
Play a board game with your family. I am not a great game player but I might have to dust off the Scrabble game and challenge Chris to a match.
Check on your friends and neighbors by phone who might be in the target group of being susceptible to the virus. Be a good neighbor and help out in whatever way you can while maintaining your own health.
None of these are earth shatteringly new ideas but maybe you can focus on one or two of them and that will focus your attention on something other than the virus. There are many who are going to be affected in negative ways by this pandemic. We all realize that. It is not going to be an easy time but maybe if we focus on the good that is going on we can make it through this and come out the other side safely. Be well, my friends, and know that I am thinking of each and every one of my readers who is affected by this. Got an idea of something to add to my list? Keep that list growing by adding yours in my comment section. Each comment made on the blog this month means a 50 cent donation to Comments for a Cause – the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.
17 Comments
Leave a commentGood advice. I tend to balance it between media hype/political “ick” and something we need to be concerned about. I don’t think they mention enough the high percentage of folks who contract it and RECOVER. They seem to want us all to believe that it’s the kiss of death once it’s contracted. And I realize that certain groups are more at risk. I’ve kept hand sanitizer in my purse for years, and I’m grateful I had a large, unopened bottle in the closet, because good luck finding any now. Thankfully, I don’t have any upcoming events that involve large groups of people.
I think a balance is very good. Things are getting pretty serious as far as school closings and business closings in North Carolina now. I am trying to be smart. Thank goodness I have the internet and plenty of books to read!
I knew you would have good ideas!
These are all great ideas. While I may not be too worried about if I got it for me and my body, I do however help my mother-in-law whose health could be affected dramatically if she got it. So it has made us that about our upcoming activities, even including not going to a community Fish Fry tonight and instead opting for a trip to the library and pizza at home.
That is exactly what I am thinking about as well. It may not be as bad for me to get it but we live in a community of elderly people and I would absolutely hate to pass it along unknowingly. I think it is time to slow down the pace of life and just enjoy some down time.
Some great ideas. I plan to read more and write! Spain is in lockdown as of now. Srat safe and healthy.
You stay safe, Darlene. Spain has done the right thing to lock down I think. Keep writing and reading and enjoying the simple things that you can.
Chuck & I are taking it day by day. We are protecting ourselfs as much as possible. The rest we put in our Lord’s hands. I love your suggestions, Beth Ann. Thinking about doing some of them. You & Chris stay safe & well too.
Stay safe, Shirley!
Our school will be closed as of Monday to all students. Teachers and staff still have to come next week for distance learning training etc. But I started thinking about what I would do with the time we’d be stuck at home and one of the first things I thought about was baking! I used to all the time but I really haven’t had a chance to. We’ll see what the next few weeks will bring but I hope everyone will make the best of a bad situation and we’ll all come out of it ok on the other side.
Take care! xoxo
Baking is a great distraction from all fhe scary stuff going on. This is definitely changing life for everyone in some way or other but we have to just do what we can to keep every one safe. Enjoy your baking and I can’t wait to see Insta pics!
Stay healthy! And happy! I was just telling hubby that we will now have time to clean out the garage and basement. He was delighted, Ha!
Yes. That is our plan even though it isn’t that much fun we have let it go far too long. I managed to get rid of a bunch of books yesterday from when I worked in the church and did small group and outreach . I just don’t need those books anymore and they are taking up space. Also sorting through pictures and taking them out of frames, etc. But I get distracted a great deal when I do that!
Virtual Field Trips
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic
Ooh- fun! I have another post tomorrow – this would be great to include!
So important these days to think beyond ourselves to the greater community. Things are evolving daily here in Minnesota with the governor ordering all bars, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, craft breweries, etc. to close by 5 pm today. No dine-in. But take-out/carry-out/delivery still an option. Libraries are closing. Churches are closing. The list is endless. I’m thankful for the strong, proactive leadership in my state.
That is what is happening here as well. I am buying gift cards from places I love locally to support them . So much unknown but I will err on the side of safety . You be safe as well!