Ways to keep busy during self isolation/ quarantine/ social distancing

If you’re not new here, you know I’m absolutely no expert on the coronavirus. This was supposed to be a travel blog ffs. But, during this time, it feels highly inappropriate to post about travel, so this blog has turned into a defacto journal I guess. This post will focus mainly on what I (and Dave by proxy) have been doing to keep busy instead of watching the minutes on the clock tick by. And I only peed once out of boredom so far so hopefully you find some good ideas through here!

First of all, like every other article out there, I recommend making some kind of daily schedule for during the week to maintain some sense of normalcy. I even said to Dave we should dress up each day for work, to which he said absolutely not. But I think I might at least make an effort to put on jeans instead of sweatpants everyday. (She says as she is sitting here in leggings! But I did manage to put jeans on Saturday and Sunday. The snow in NYC this morning felt like an excuse to wear comfy leggings).

Here’s a loose example of what my schedule has looked like so far (keeping in mind I don’t have remote access and expect this to change once I do have remote access).

9AM: wake up, breakfast- 1/2 an avocado, blackberries
10AM: walk 1 hour
11AM-1PM: creative self entertain w/ no screen. Read, colour, write, etc.
1 PM: lunch- turkey and cheese roll ups with mustard, mandarin orange and grapes
2PM-5PM: self entertain with limited screen (for me that means sims, pinterest, etc. but no TV)
5PM: workout indoors, shower
7PM: dinner (varies every night) & a film/evening TV

My biggest problems right now are trying to limit my screen time, not eat when I’m bored, and get enough exercise in. Since we’ve been sick, I haven’t worked out at all yet, but hoping to go for a walk tomorrow since we both made it through today without a nap. When I spoke to my therapist today, we talked about how it’s a really interesting balance for people-some need to go outside to stay sane, whereas others need to stay inside at a time like this so they don’t later become anxious.

I am definitely a balance of the two. I need to go outside and like let the yayas out, but I’m going to wear gloves, not go into shops, or touch anyone/anything (as much as I can avoid realistically). I do think it’s better for me to get out a little bit though, because as I’m feeling better today, I think I am getting a bit of househead.

In terms of breaking down the activities/meals mentioned above here we go:When I was sick, and now at night (because we’re trying to limit massive amounts of screen time) I watched like a hundred movies. Here’s the list and my thoughts:

SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2: LOVED, OBVIOUSLY GEARED TOWARDS KIDS, BUT FELT COMFORTING WHEN I WAS SICK AND ENJOYED THE LIGHTNESS OF IT.

ADDAMS FAMILY (OLD): TOP 5 FAVOURITE MOVIES EVER. I USED TO BE OBSESSED WITH WEDNESDAY.

ADDAMS FAMILY (NEW): CUTE. GEARED TOWARDS KIDS, BUT STILL HAD ADULT JOKES IN AND FELT WORTH THE WATCH. I FELL ASLEEP, MISSED THE END, AND FORGOT TO WATCH IT BEFORE THE RENTAL PERIOD EXPIRED BUT WAS ENJOYING IT. NICK KROLL PLAYS UNCLE FESTER, BUT IN HIS COACH STEVE VOICE AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS COACH STEVE PLAYING UNCLE FESTER LIKE IN SEASON THREE OF BIG MOUTH HOW HE HAD A DIFFERENT JOB EACH EPISODE. AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT LAST SENTENCE MEANT, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY WATCH BIG MOUTH ON NETFLIX.

FIVE FEET APART: LOVED. LIKE SOBBED MY EYES OUT AND LOVED. FIRST OF ALL, COLE SPROUSE (OR COLE SPROUTS AS MY PHONE KEPT AUTO CORRECTING THE OTHER DAY). I LOVE COLE SPROUSE GUYS. BUT SECOND OF ALL, THE FILM WAS PHENOMENAL. IT’S ABOUT A FEW TEENS THAT HAVE CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND ARE STUCK IN THE HOSPITAL. CF PATIENTS CAN BE DEADLY TO EACH OTHER IF THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER SO OBVIOUSLY COLE SPROUTS & ACTRESS HAYLEY LU RICHARDSON (WHO I ALSO NOW LOVE) FALL IN LOVE AND CAN’T TOUCH, THEY HAVE TO STAY 6 FEET APART, BUT BREAK THE RULES SLIGHTLY AND STAY 5 FEET APART, HENCE THE NAME OF THE MOVIE. I READ SOME REVIEWS AFTER, BECAUSE I LOVED IT, SOBBED MY EYES OUT, ETC. AND IT GOT SOME BAD RAP FOR BEING A “SICK FLICK” SUCH AS THE FAULT IN OUR STARTS, OR THEN CAME YOU (WHICH I ALSO LOVED, BUT AGAIN I’M OBSESSED WITH ASA BUTTERFIELD AND MAISIE WILLIAMS). I FOUND THIS MOVIE INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING.

READY OR NOT: I DIDN’T KNOW IF I WANTED TO SEE THIS ONE. I SAW PREVIEWS FOR IT AND IT CAME OUT AT THE SAME TIME AS KNIVES OUT AND I KEPT GETTING THEM CONFUSED. BUT I BIT THE BULLET AND RENTED IT (DID I MENTION I HAVE APPLE TV FREE FOR A YEAR BECAUSE I GOT A NEW PHONE? WELL I DO AND IT’S INCREDIBLE, NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT IS A MONTH BUT I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO KEEP IT ONCE I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT NEXT FEBRUARY). IT WAS A HORROR COMEDY FILM, AND IT WAS VERY VERY SILLY. THE PREMISE OF IT IS THAT A WOMAN MARRIES INTO A FAMILY AND FINDS OUT ON HER WEDDING NIGHT SHE HAS TO PLAY A GAME BECAUSE THE FAMILY OBTAINED THEIR FORTUNE IN THE GAME INDUSTRY AFTER A DISTANT GREAT GRANDFATHER SIGNED A DEAL WITH LE BAIL (THE DEVIL). THERE ARE A LOT OF GAMES SHE COULD PICK, BUT SHE ENDS UP RANDOMLY CHOOSING HIDE AND SEEK. THE FAMILY THEN HAS TO KILL THE NEW BRIDE BEFORE DAWN OR THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL DIE. IT’S NOT SCARY AT ALL, IT’S NOT FILMED LIKE A SCARY HORROR FILM, IT GIVES OFF MORE LIKE RIDICULOUS VIBES. IT WAS OKAY, I ENJOYED BUT PROBABLY WOULDN’T WATCH AGAIN.

BROOKLYN: WATCHED THIS LAST NIGHT AND LOVED IT. I HAVEN’T SEEN A MOVIE WITH SAROISE RONAN IN IT THAT I DIDN’T LIKE. THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WHERE I’VE SEEN HER USE AN IRISH ACCENT THOUGH AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT. SHE PLAYS AN IMMIGRANT IN THE 1950’S WHO MOVES TO BROOKLYN AND STARTS A LIFE IN AMERICA. DAVE SAID HE WATCHED IT WHEN HE FIRST MOVED TO AMERICA AND ALMOST CRIED HE WAS SO HOMESICK. I FELT THE FEELS VERY DEEPLY TOO AS ONE DAY I WILL BE LEAVING MY FAMILY, BUT I WON’T BE A TWO WEEK BOATRIDE AWAY (HOPEFULLY THEY’LL BRING THE CONCORDE BACK AND IT’LL BE LIKE A TWO HOUR FLIGHT!)THE LIGHTHOUSE: CURRENTLY WATCHING. DAVE’S PICK. ROBERT PATTINSON, LOTS OF FARTING. WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED.

We’re trying to keep ourselves as busy as we can. We usually have a house cleaner, but obviously are trying to limit human interaction so today Dave vacuumed and did the floors. We also have been trying to maintain a very neat and clean fridge for multiple reasons. We started doing a 1000 piece puzzle, and are making good progress.

I am currently trying to limit my instagram time to one hour a day. I feel like that still seems like a lot. To waste one whole hour out of 24 on instagram. But I find it really tempting to endlessly scroll, so I have put the limit on myself. I also am trying not to sit in front of the TV now that I feel better. Since Dave and I have felt better today, we didn’t turn the TV on until about 7pm when we were eating dinner.

I am most looking forward to working out. I started doing dancebody, by Katia Pryce. I followed her on instagram for a long time, but my back was so bad I couldn’t start. Thankfully I had the second cortisone shot for my slipped disc two weeks ago and have been able to move more. I figure some people are going to come out of quarantine 50 pounds heavier, but i genuinely am trying to lose about 25 pounds and am focusing really hard on healthy eating (and not eating when I’m bored!) and moving my body as much as I can.

Although I really haven’t been getting out much, here are some eerie shots of NYC last night from my roof. Don’t worry, it was empty!