This spring has us all hunkering down in our homes, practicing social distancing due to the corona virus. While it is indeed a time filled with fear and stress, we can choose to look at the possibilities ahead instead of focusing on the uncertainty. Take this time to center yourselves, take care of each other and make your home places of safety and nurturing.
Home should be a place where you feel comforted and blissful. Take this time to stop from the usual hectic schedule to slow down, breathe and calm yourself. Panic never ends well. You cannot move forward on a healthy and stable path until you have stopped running around.
Take the time to reset, be gentle with yourself and take care of your health and your family’s health. Nourish yourself with healthy, fresh and homemade foods like a warm bowl of chicken soup with homemade bread, healthy greens and lots of fresh fruit. Or have that yummy piece of chocolate cake you’ve been craving! Make those dishes you have been wanting to try or normally didn’t have time to make.
Do that Online/ Youtube Yoga class you never had time for. Bike ride or take that nature walk (keeping a safe distance of course) and breathe in the fresh air and sunshine which will strengthen your immune system. Be mindful of what you see and hear…take it all in….Now you have the time.
After you have had a chance to settle your mind and establish your own ‘stay-cation’ routine, decide and make a list of all those things you’ve wanted to do but didn’t have the time….read that book that’s been collecting dust on your night stand, pick up that hobby project you’ve been meaning to start, learn something new. There are great online sights like Skillshare that offer low cost online classes. Spend time with your family and spend time in quiet thought….rediscover what’s important to you.
Spring clean, organize and refresh your space. Rethink how you use your rooms. Create a hobby/art area for that project you’ve wanted to pursue. Want a zen-like space to do yoga, stretch, meditate etc.? Clean out a little-used extra room and create a sanctuary for yourself. Love reading? You can create a library-like reading nook even if you don’t have an entire room to work with. Pick a corner of a room, clear it out, clean it well (everything feels better when its fresh, clean and organized) and put your favorite chair, reading lamp, side table for coffee, tea or that glass of wine, put up a bookshelf or a basket and fill it with your favorite books or magazines or even your kindle and you have a quiet reading corner for blissful enjoyment.
Even cleaning and re organizing your kitchen will give you a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to eat healthfully and try new recipes.
Clean and organize your bath, fill it with candles, fresh flowers (Trader Joes’ may be out of some items, but last I saw, they still have fresh flowers at a great price!) and facial masks, lotions etc for some spa pampering. You can even try new make up looks to refresh your own style this spring.
Home is truly where the heart is. This is the time to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and your home. Make it a place of calmness, safety and nourishment.
Remember…this too shall pass and there will be a new spring ahead.
I wish you all to be safe, healthy and well.