Well, time marches on as they say. Depending on where you live, you are likely still sheltering in place to the fullest extent or starting to see some of the restrictions loosened. Very strange times and I feel like I’ve experienced such a roller coaster of emotions. I’ll be energized and positive for a few days, and then feeling demoralized and tired the next. I hear lots of people trying to focus on the positive, which I fully support. I’m a firm believer that what we focus on and give energy to is what our days and life become. However, I also think there is some value to admitting “This is hard” or “I’m worn down.”

So in that vein, to give myself some small “wins” and energy boosts, it’s been helpful to me to identify some small projects that make me feel like I accomplished something in a few hours. To be clear, this list is in no way meant to make you feel guilty. If getting dressed and brushing your teeth is all you can handle each day, then do that. If however, you find you get more done when you stay busy, then here are a few suggestions that have surfaced in my life. [You’ll notice a theme around organizing and cleaning. I think that somehow fools me into thinking I have control over what is happening, when I truly don’t :)]

1. Clean out and organize your closets; donate to good will the stuff you haven’t worn in two years
2. Practice that instrument you haven’t picked up in <insert number> months/years
3. Start learning/brush up on a foreign language through podcasts or an app.
4. Organize your pantry.  Use this list of pantry staples to do an inventory of what you should always have on hand.
5. Sort and organize all your recipes.  If you have plastic sheet protectors and a few binders, great.  But you can also just punch holes in the papers and tie together with some string or nice ribbon.
6. Got a pile of old magazines you are holding on to?  Go through them, pull out the one or two articles you like and recycle the rest.
7. Sign up for an online class through your local community college or Parks and Recreation division.  If you are feeling really ambitious, start one of the great courses.
8. Listen to some audio books.  No need to pay for a subscription service (IMHO).  Your local library likely has some sort of online option and I recently learned about RBdigital.
9. Paint an accent wall.  Amazing how fresh a room feels with just a new coat of paint. I’m a huge fan of the ‘oops’ section at Home Depot where you can get discount paint because they didn’t mix it exactly to the customer’s liking.
10. Clean and vacuum your car and add a new air freshener.  That way, when we do go back to daily life, you’ll feel like you just bought a new car. 
11. Make some face masks! I have been dragging my feet on this. Maybe I’m in denial. If there’s a tried and true pattern you recommend, give me a shout.

No matter what, just hang in there.  This will pass.  It’s not fun and some days probably feel like we’ve reached our limit.  But you will undoubtedly find a new source of strength, mentally and emotionally, that will prepare you for something to come.