Scrolling down our news feed on FB had both of us feeling anxious and quite frankly, a little frustrated. It’s hard not to give into the stress and anxiety that COVID-19 has brought to our lives, but in true Ashley and Erin fashion, we like to see the positive in every situation.
We could sit around and complain that our totally awesome trip to Texas we had been planning for months was ripped right out of our hands, that we’ve been fighting with airlines and hotels, that we are out of work for the foreseeable future, and that we are stuck at home with nothing to do…. or we can be thankful for the time that’s been given to us that we never have and do a few things we have been wanting to check off our lists. How many times have you said you only WISHED you had more time at home?!
We have come up with the ultimate quarantine list of fun and efficient things to do during your time stuck at home:
1. Spring Clean /Home Projects
Complete those home projects you’ve been dying to get done. Whether it is cleaning out closets, deep spring cleaning, or simply finishing those little projects you have started, completing each task will have you feeling better than ever. It is proven that cleaning and organizing will help eliminate stress. We’ve both started spring cleaning and finishing home projects we thought might not get done until the summer!
2. Self-Care
All salons have been shut down meaning those nails and that hair is going to be a little neglected. Take this time to do some self-care at home. Light a candle and enjoy a bath with essential oils, deep condition your hair, do a face mask, polish those nails, or even log on to your favorite Yoga-streaming app (We like YogoGlo) and do some yoga, barre, pilates, and/or meditation.
3. Volunteer.
Volunteer your time to do some community service. Erin was able to connect with her township and they provided her with bags and grabbers so while she is out walking Stella she can pick up litter safely. The nice thing is, the township will pick up the trash bags once you’re done. We highly recommend you connect with your community leaders and give back!
4. Feed Your Brain.
Read a book. Erin loves the author Frank Peretti if you’re looking for a good Christian thriller (yes, they’re amazing) and Ashley loves reading a little bit of everything. Her favorite author is probably Sophie Kinsella (Read Can You Keep a Secret if you never have), but she’s currently reading Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel and beginning to re-read the Harry Potter series that she read back when she was in middle school!
5. Get Creative.
Set up a space and get back to the simpler things like enjoying an art and craft. Listen to a Podcast or pop in your favorite movie and allow yourself to create something beautiful. Pinterest has tons of at home crafts and art projects for kids, too! You can even download a coloring app for iPad and create something beautiful (7-day free trial of Pigment).
6. Binge.
Enjoy a new Netflix series or catch up on that show you started forever ago! You’ve got lots of options (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, & Amazon)! We have been getting so many recommendations for TV shows. Erin is currently in love with New Amsterdam and This Is Us and Ashley has been into Ozark (viewer discretion advised) and Manifest on NBC. If you’ve never watched The Good Place or Jane the Virgin, start!! Those are two of our favorites that will keep you laughing and coming back for more. Oh, and if you haven’t watched Frozen II on Disney+ yet, it was released early and super cute.
7. Logout.
So many hours of our days are spent on social media and let’s be honest, it can be a bit toxic. May we suggest you hit the “log out” (…or even “deactivate” button; you won’t lose your photos and memories and can retrieve them anytime) on your social media apps and open up a book. It does amazing things for your mental health. Ashley recently deactivated her Facebook account and Erin logged out and we’ve been WAY less stressed and anxious. Give it a shot. 24 hours later, you will thank yourself. We’re both here for the cute & funny pics/vids of people’s dogs and kids on Instagram though. Keep ’em coming.
8. Build Something.
Build a puzzle/Lego set. This is something the whole family can enjoy. Make it a little challenging with a 500 or 1,000 piece puzzle; if you’re feeling really brave, try a puzzle that has 5,000 pieces!
9.Hit the Kitchen
Bake something from scratch. There is something so satisfying about being in the kitchen; making some goodies is always a great way to pass the time. We suggest chocolate chip cookies! Try a recipe from scratch; it’s a little more challenging, takes a bit more time, but the results are so worth it.
10. Play a Game.
Dust off the board games and play a round or two with the fam! Or re-download an old App Store favorite like Words with Friends or Draw Something— and play #TogetherApart.
Instead of complaining or being negative, try to find a way to make the most of the situation. Spread positivity and do something to make this craziness better– not worse! We’re all in this together, after all. We are praying for all of our readers daily.
xo,
Ash & Er
Good ideas ladies! I love the Joanna Gaines cookbook and can’t wait for the next one. I don’t have Facebook but I logged out of Twitter at the end of February and it’s been better mentally. You can certainly find yourself getting sucked into social media easily . I thought I was staying connected with the world but realized I was actually disconnecting. I feel much more mindfully present in myself and life. I still have Instagram and that’s enough! Hope you’re both staying healthy and happy ! Keep on blogging!