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I’m probably an anomaly, but I’m finding being at home during this strange period a rather pleasant experience. I wish COVID-19 would go away as quickly as possible, of course, and that we can return to something resembling normalcy, but I’m appreciating this break from real life.
I find being home infinitely less stressful than my previous life, in which I spent much of my time driving around in my car to get things done. I’ve found myself dwelling in a rather content and peaceful groove, a welcome and surprising thing given the sad and disturbing events taking place around the world with which I certainly empathize.
While we do everything we can to survive this bizarre moment in history, here are some ways to make the most of being forced to shelter-in-place based on my own personal experience.
Focus on the present. Lots of folks are thinking and talking about the near or distant future when we will presumably be able to enjoy all the things that we used to. Given all the uncertainties, I find it more helpful to let the future take care of itself and instead concentrate on the now. What can I do to make today as good as possible? I ask myself every morning, realizing that the answer to that question is one of the few things within my control.
Relish the routine. God is in the details, they say, something that has been borne out in the banality of living in a relatively small space 24/7. Rather than long for the excitement and adventure to be found in the external world, I’m finding Zen-like happiness in the simple and ordinary within the internal world. Never before in my life have I more thoroughly enjoyed reading a good book, watching a good movie, or listening to some good music.
Catch up on some long-put-off projects. I don’t know about you, but I’ll normally find any reason to avoid doing those things that are part of the regular upkeep of a domestic space. Verbs that come to mind in this regard include sorting, arranging, discarding, cleaning, sifting, purging, fixing, and, sadly, scrubbing. Trust me—you’ll feel better after cleaning out your closet or defrosting your freezer.
Treat yourself every day. Trading on Pavlovian positive reinforcement, I’ve been rewarding myself with a treat for simply getting through another Groundhog Day. A beer at 3 in the afternoon? An extra helping of ice cream? A three-hour binge of Monk reruns? Why the hell not? I deserve it, given the purgatory-like hand we’ve been dealt.
Get outside at least once a day. I don’t care if you live in a cave, a bomb shelter, or have been told by your friends and family to stay inside at all times or else. The human body needs an occasional dose of fresh air and a bit of sunshine, and your soul requires seeing the sky, hearing the sounds of nature, and smelling something not man-made.
Find escapes. One of the major perks of living in the early 21st century is the amazing array of entertainment options we have at our disposal. We’re easily able to instantly transcend the physical constraints of time and space through various media and technologies and explore any number of real or imaginary universes in a single Earth day. Take full advantage of these opportunities to escape the tyranny of the clock and your four walls.
Create something. We all have a creative genius (well, sort of) inside of us, and this is a great time to court your muse. I’ll wager that you have long thought about composing a song, cooking or baking something requiring many ingredients and a lot of patience, or yes, writing the Great American Novel. Start creating your masterpiece during this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime window of opportunity.
Seize the working day. I’ve been on a tear these last two months, writing more words each day than ever before. My editor tells me I’m not alone in submitting manuscripts well before their due date. Make full use of this time to gets loads of work done, even if it means storing your output until it can be shared with the world.
Learn something new. Always wanted to speak French? Play the piano? Change the oil in your car by yourself? Now’s your chance. There are online classes and tutorials for everything these days, and it will no doubt impress your friends six months from now when you can speak French while playing the piano while changing the oil in your car.
Remember that the best things in life are free. I haven’t gone to the ATM or filled up my gas tank since early March and have used my Visa card only for essential services and the occasional Amazon purchase to keep sane. I feel bad for the retail people whose livelihoods have been severely impacted by the pandemic, but this thing has served as a vivid reminder that we don’t need as much stuff as we usually think. The simple joys of life, especially love and kindness, will see us through both good times and bad.
