Self Isolation To Do List

This post was written on 30/03/2020

Like many people I’ve been finding it hard to stay motivated during this time. When you are at home all day every day it can be very easy to spend hours watching Netflix, playing the sims and wearing only pyjamas. That is fine some days, at the moment it is important to care of ourselves. That’s also mostly what I’ve been doing.

We may never this much time to be creative, so this is this perfect opportunity to make the most of it. Starting a creative project can also give you some normality and help you cope mentally.

To help myself (and you) stay busy I’ve decided to write a list of things that would be useful to do during the lockdown. 

WASH MAKEUP BRUSHES AND BEAUTY BLENDERS

Seems like an easy task, however, it needs to be done right? It’s not something I do often enough. So this is your official reminder to do it now.

START A BLOG AND WRITE BLOG POSTS

If you don’t already have a blog, what a more perfect time to start one? It’s a great way to practice writing, share your point of view, be creative and make friends and join a new community.

DO SOME BAKING

This is not something I’m very good at, however, I’m very good at eating them. I think I’ll probably stick to making fairy cakes from a paw patrol mix. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make something better than me.

WORK ON PINTEREST

As a highly visual person, I love Pinterest. It can help to get creative juices flowing. You can also share your own photos and use it to get more traffic on to your blog.

DRAW AND PAINT (DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL)

I have so many sketchbooks lying around that aren’t being used from previously studying art. Although I’m not very good at drawing I do find it very therapeutic. There a lot of programmes and apps to work on digital drawing. Personally, I use adobe illustrator, but sketchpad is a great free website. 

HAVE A SPRING CLEAN

Not to sound like your mum, but this is the perfect time to tidy your room. If you don’t do it now when will you?

WRITE A DIARY

As we are living through a major historical event, it may be useful to write a diary of your daily life. In the future, people might find it interesting.

WORK ON PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography isn’t my strong point, so I’m going to get some practice in. You can take pictures of flatlays, products, plants, pets and other things around your home.

READ SOME NEW BOOKS AND REVIEW THEM

You can do this on Instagram, twitter, YouTube or a blog. I love discovering new books to read.

How To Stay Sane During Social Distancing

Picture credit: @sophierosebrampton
Hello. I am, like many other people am feeling very anxious at the moment due to the outbreak of Covid-19. We have no idea how bad this virus is going to get and it's normal to feel worried. It is also making people feel lonely and isolated. Festivals, concerts, holidays and sports are being cancelled. Although it may seem difficult, it is hugely important right now to practice social distancing to stop to spread of the virus.

- Channel your creative energy
I personally am going to be throwing myself into blogging, as it is a creative outlet and a portfolio of my writing. Some other ideas are scrapbooking, painting and sewing. What you make doesn't have to be amazing, as long as you enjoy it.

- Spend time with a pet
Pet owners on average have lower stress levels, plus dogs and cats can't catch or spread the coronavirus so you can spend as much time with them as you like!

- Clean your room
This isn't the most fun thing on this list, I won't lie, however cleaning can be very therapeutic. A tidy space equals a tidy mind. To make it less overwhelming try breaking up the different small tasks, e.g, making your bed, sorting out your wardrobe, cleaning make up brushes, hoovering etc.

- Read books
I've been trying to read more and social distancing is the perfect excuse. Books can provide escapism and can get you away from constantly looking at screens.

- Have a social media break
Reading too much on social media can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with a lot of false and misleading information around. The news about the virus is everywhere, it can feel difficult to escape from it. However, staying off social media for a couple of hours each day can ease the anxiety.

- Make a to do list
This can make you feel productive, even if you aren't actually being that productive.

- Talk to friends/family (digitally)
Reach out to someone if your feeling lonely, especially elderly family members and family members you don't see very often.

- Think about the exciting things you can do when this is all over
Things may not be great now, but hopefully soon, things will be back to normal. We will go on nights out again, festivals will happen again. Football will be back, weddings will happen, we will go out freely. Things that we used to take for granted before.

Stay safe everyone,

For advice on the coronavirus from the NHS, follow this link.