My goodness, these are very strange and unsettling days. Are you doing okay out there? (Or "in there," I should say.) My new wake-up time seems to be 3 a.m., not ideal by any stretch, but that's when Worry Brain is up and ready for action. I wish I could be more like my velvety-eared dog and just curl up in my cozy bed, snoozing away without a care in the world.
There are a few things I'm trying to do with some regularity, just to keep a handle on the days. (As my teenage son said yesterday, "There's no difference now between the weekdays and the weekends.") In these uncertain times, it feels reassuring to take control of what I can. So, here are a few things that have been helping me personally, and I hope some of them can help you, too:
- Deep-dive-organize your pantry, fridge, and freezer. It's eye-opening to know exactly what you have on-hand, especially so you can minimize your trips to the store.
- Tackle the big stack of books you've been meaning to read. Here are some books I've enjoyed recently: Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (sorry, it's the only novel in the bunch because I just can't concentrate on a story right now); Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue; The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci; When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron; See Your Way to Mindfulness: Ideas and Inspiration to Open Your I by David Schiller.
- Soothe your nerves with music. One of my favorite composers while I'm working on the computer is Ludovico Einaudi, because he's somehow energizing and relaxing at the same time. Here's a YouTube link to one of his beautiful albums: Ludovico Einaudi Islands Album. When I'm not working, I'm listening to favorites from my teens and twenties: The Cars, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Kate Bush. (There's a warm comfort in nostalgia.)
- Follow the right people for difficult times, meaning those who are wise, kind, and inspirational. Here are just a few of the people online who are keeping it real and keeping it positive, which is not an easy combo right now: Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) on Instagram (@elizabeth_gilbert_writer). Last week, she shared some thoughts via video from her airport taxi after traveling home from abroad, about "minding her drama language." As she said, "There's enough trauma in the world. Do I really need to add drama?" She said she wants to be a calming influence. (It worked on me.) David Cain at Raptitude.com is fostering a sense of online community during this time of social distancing. And Matthew Burrows on Instagram (@matthewburrowsstudio) has organized the "Artist Support Pledge." As for what you share on social media, try to keep it positive. Let's lift each other up, yes? In particular, please show some social media love to healthcare workers and teachers, who are going into uncharted territory.
- Take it from the master/pioneer/O.G. of social distancing, Henry David Thoreau, and read (or re-read) Walden. Just one of the hundreds of nuggets of wisdom within its pages: "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves."
- Do something you've been putting off for ages. For me, it's getting photographs printed for the frames I bought for my daughter's room when we started redecorating a couple of months ago.
- Light a candle in the morning. This has been my breakfast ritual for a few years now, thanks to a suggestion from my artist friend and fellow blogger, Cathryn Worrell. If you're short on candles, my favorite is the Chai Tea scent from a wonderful small business started by two moms of autistic sons, Beloved Bath. (I also like their Pink Grapefruit and Spiritual Sage scents. If you don't see those scents on their website, just email them; they rotate what they feature on their website.)
- Catch up on recent movies that are now streaming: JoJo Rabbit (my favorite of the Oscar nominees), Parasite, Little Women. There are lots of other movies I love, but I don't think there's much comfort right now in watching Joker and Hereditary, so perhaps save the heavy drama and horror for less precarious times.
- If you feel a need to "cry it out," try these tear-jerkers (movie and/or book): Call Me By Your Name; The Remains of the Day.
- Binge-worthy TV shows for big laughs: Brooklyn 99, Schitt's Creek, Jane the Virgin, New Girl, Parks & Recreation, The Office (British and American), and my personal all-time favorite: Flight of the Conchords. (Jemaine and Brett with their super-goofy songs -- sung with impossibly straight faces -- make me so happy!)
- Practice yoga. (I need it every day now.) Many local yoga studios have switched online for live classes; if you can, support them so they can keep their doors open for healthier times. But if you're looking for some good free yoga videos on YouTube, some of my favorites are from Yoga with Adriene (love her dog who snoozes in the corner). Here's a good one for beginners: Total Body Deep Stretch with Adriene.
- Meditate. Choose from countless apps like Headspace, Calm, or Ten Percent.
- Get outdoors if you have the space between people to safely do so. This morning, I was out taking pictures of the blooming daffodils in our yard and heard a Mourning Dove cooing for a mate. Spring is proceeding undeterred, just as Mother Nature planned.
- While mindless games on your phone have their merit during this anxious time, if you want games that challenge your brain, I recommend the ones at Lumosity.
- Creatively edit your phone photos. Instead of fretfully scrolling through the news, try a fun app like the Diana double-exposure app by Stettiner Games (iOS and Android).
- Bake bread. Here's an easy recipe.
- Pet your furry friends (but make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before and after to avoid passing on germs/viruses from others petting them).
- Spritz yourself with an uplifting scent. I love the perfumes from Nest (which are cruelty-free).
- Read the poems of Mary Oliver. Now more than ever.
- Take an online class. Because we're all staying at home now (I hope), I've put two of my self-paced photography courses on sale, until further notice.
- When all else fails, take a nap. Especially if you were wide awake at 3 a.m.
Stay safe, everyone!
Warmly,
Joy
- Sign up below for my FREE quarterly(ish) photography newsletter, Writing with Light, where I share my latest creative inspirations, occasional freebies, upcoming e-courses, and exclusive discounts. When you subscribe, you'll also get my free downloadable guide, "Hey, How Did You Do That?!" 20 Apps to Totally Transform Your Phone Photos.
© 2020 by Joy Sussman/JoyfullyGreen.com LLC. All rights reserved. All photos and text digitally fingerprinted and watermarked. Please do not use any photographs without asking me first for permission at [email protected] and then clearly linking back to this site with photo credits. Site licensed by Creative Commons.
All third-party links are my personal recommendations and were not solicited. The only affiliate links (where I might earn pennies on the dollar for any sales) are the ones through Amazon, and again, I recommend all of those products and would never link to anything I don't personally use myself (because that would just be gross :) ).
