As someone who has been freelance full-fucking-time for a while now, being home isn’t new to me. I sleep at home, work at home, work out at home, and host weekend hangouts at home. I am always home.
As an introvert and homebody, I love this new aspect of my career. But as someone with anxiety that thrives in solitary spaces, being home all the time is also challenging and exhausting. And that was before social distancing, when I could leave the house for coffee!
Over the months, I’ve come up with a helpful list of daily choices that make being home alone (or with The Dog) a little less lonely. I hope some of them are useful to you:
Keep your morning routine
Before social distancing, how did you spend the first hour or two of your morning? Try to keep much of that the same in the coming weeks. Maybe you spend less time coordinating your outfit—or maybe you don’t. Some days, I show up to my desk in heels and lipstick. But keep making that cup of morning coffee, taking a shower, changing out of your PJs. Give yourself some sense of normalcy.
Scaled routine for those struggling with their mental health:
Change out of your PJs every morning. You can change right into more PJs—just not the ones you slept in. If you can, change into clean PJs.
Prioritize engagement, not productivity
Lots of well-intentioned folks are encouraging Get those projects done! and I think that’s a load of bullshit. Yes—if you can cross a couple tasks off in the coming weeks, that’s great; keeping busy keeps us sane. But on top of your daily routine being completely upended, don’t add the pressure of being fucking productive. Your time in isolation is not defined by how much you accomplish.
Instead, focus on staying engaged in whatever you are doing. If you’re watching Netflix, watch the shit out of Netflix. Really focus on what’s happening; don’t have it on in the background while you’re scrolling through Twitter. Gravitate to your hobbies and interests, without worrying if you’re “accomplishing” anything. But really focus on them when you’re doing them. It helps quiet the anxious monologue.
Scaled engagement for those struggling with their mental health:
Make a list of 3-4 hobbies or activities you enjoy that you could do during social distancing. You don’t have to, but think through your options.
Eat well and drink water
What you put in your body directly affects your mental state. There is science behind this, and if you don’t believe science—believe me. Cutting out sugar and gluten is the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental health. No, the middle of stuck-at-home is not the time to totally change your diet. But add some fruit and veggies to your snack list, and drink a fuck ton of water.
Scaled eating/drinking for those struggling with their mental health:
Designate a large water bottle (think Nalgene size) and fill it every morning after you change. Keep it with you, and sip during the day. If you can, refill it as needed. But filling a large container one time can be less taxing than continually filling a small cup over and over.
Go outside
Fetch and walks with The Dog have changed the course of entire days. What felt overwhelming and unbeatable was made just a little smaller by being outside. Literally just standing on our porch made me feel better. Sunshine and exercise are natural mood boosters, and it gets you out of the house. Of course, wash your hands before and after—and stay 6 feet or more away from fellow walkers or fetchers.
Scaled outside-ing for those struggling with their mental health:
Open your blinds, and sit next to an open window for a few minutes if you can. Or watch a nature show or movie, instead of something dark and heavy.
Talk with friends
Social distancing doesn’t mean you’re entirely cut off from society—it just means socializing isn’t convenient. You can still call, text, video chat, synchronize movies, join a Facebook group, write good ol’ fashioned letters, sing on balconies with your neighbors. Many people world-wide are stuck at home with you, and there are communities that you don’t even know exist.
And if you truly feel like there’s no one you can talk to, send me an email, join my Twitter or Instagram conversations, comment on this post, or share your own blog with me. I’m home, too, and I want to chat with you!
Scaled talking for those struggling with their mental health:
If talking to strangers on the internet (or anyone!) is too much, consider texting a counselor or a crisis help line. Even journaling or writing down your thoughts helps get them out of your head, even a little.
Mary's One Hundred 