6 Things You Can Do While Sheltering-At-Home

Many of us have been stuck in our homes for quite a few days. This has been such an odd time of over-purchase of toilet paper, side-eyeing anyone that coughs in your vicinity, and trying to figure out what to do with the kiddos (if you have them) while working from home (if you are) and not going stir-crazy.

It’s a lot.

But there are quite a few things you can do during this time to help you get through this. I’m going to share some of the things that I’ve been doing and I hope that these ideas are helpful to you or inspire you to figure out your own list of things you can do.

1. Journal
   Writing your thoughts and feelings in this moment will not only make for an interesting look back in the future, but it can be a helpful way to off-load some of those hefty feelings of fear and uncertainty. It can be a place where you can write about your dreams for the future because maybe dreaming about the future can help you to consider a future beyond this pandemic. Journaling can also be a great way to learn more about yourself. It can help you to observe and assess yourself. This is crucial in your ability to care for and soothe yourself, as needed.

2. Catch up with people you love.
   Gratefully, we have the internet and though we are physically apart from many people that we love, we can use this moment to catch up with people. A common sentiment for many adults is that much of being in adult relationships involves the notion that we need to “get together sometime” or “have a coffee sometime” but sometimes never comes. If you are mentally and emotionally capable, pick up your phone and Facetime some folks. Get on zoom with a bunch of your friends with some tea or coffee and catch up. Maybe you have a bunch of kiddos and it seems impossible to get a moment with a friend. Well…this leads me to No. 3…

3. Embrace the chaos.
   There is very little you can do about it so let it happen. While the kids are acting a fool, act a fool with them. Roll on the ground. Jump on the bed. Wrestle. Bake cookies. Make a smoothie together. Chances are, they are off of their typical schedule and this can create a sense of instability for them. I don’t know about you but my kid has been all up under me. So we are making space for the foolery. Extra bubbles at bath time and pillow fort building are a part of our agenda.

4. Slow down.
   This one is a particularly difficult one for me because I tend to be a human-doing. I can very easily find myself in the middle of many projects all at one time because I am passionate, driven, and have abundant energy. I simultaneously have to pay careful attention to when that energy is low. Honestly, my spouse typically knows this about me before I do. Slowing down can be a great thing to do right now because there is actually a little more time to do less.

5. Engage in some things that allow you to feel a sense of control.
   We have no control over the actual virus itself. What we do have control over is whatever we are doing right now. Make a general schedule for yourself if you feel like you need it. Enact a morning or evening ritual to help you feel a sense of ownership over your time. Get rid of things that you’ve always wanted to get rid of.

6. Engage or disengage information sources.
   Many people will tell you that you have to turn the TV off. This is true for some people. It is certainly true for me, to an extent. There are also people that need credible information to help them feel grounded. Every person will need to figure out what their threshold is for this. Try to listen to your body. After you’ve engaged your curiosity for information, how do you feel? Do you feel escalated or troubled? Do you feel assured and dutiful? Do you feel fearful and overwhelmed or a sense of confidence and surety? Check-in with yourself to see what is going on in your internal world and do what is necessary for you to self-regulate.

The most important thing here is to figure out what you need. In moments like these, everyone is going to offer ‘solutions’ as to what you should feel, think, and do. Take everything with a grain of salt (even this post) and lean into your personal needs.