5 Things Helping Me Navigate During Quarantine

It’s pretty safe to day the current pandemic has universally changed our daily lives, future plans and schedules. While it has effected us differently, everyone has their own new reality. Some people were practically forced to leave their college towns and go back home. Others lost their jobs or had to work remotely. Vacations and travel plans were postponed or cancelled altogether. March 2020, a huge chunk of my life shifted. I remember sitting in the airport, returning home from spring break, thinking, it’s mind over matter, when I touch down in Tampa.

Here are a 5 things that helped me, and continue to guide me during the pandemic, and quarantine.

Working on my fitness

It’s easy to feel sluggish and unmotivated during the current state of affairs. We are going through a pandemic, the continual injustices of Black Americans, and so many changes. Honestly, it can feel complicated. Committing to daily exercise has helped my mind, body and soul. Getting fresh air has also helped with clearing my mind, and toning my calves, helloooo. Time truly flies during quarantine. One day becomes a few days, then a week, then a month. That’s why it’s so crucial and meaningful to start a good habit. I’ve been incorporating reps in my morning routine, and before bed. Push-ups have been surprisingly, my go-to. What can I say? There’s something about buff, toned arms—I’m becoming my own muse, haha. For years, I have followed different workout vids from Body Rock TV, and now I’m watching Kayla Nicole’s STRONG IS SEXY fitness videos. They’re great because they require no extra equipment.

The Essentials

Consistently taking vitamins, my daily dose of collagen and juicing has helped me feel good, inside and out. Being on top of your health is vital, especially during stressful times. Your body is a temple, a canvas, and a machine that needs to be taken care of. Make your health a priority. Infusing fruit with my water, and making balanced meals has helped my body flourish. I truly feel like you are what you eat. Eating whole has helped me feel motivated during quarantine. My new favorite snack is oatmeal and granola with pineapple, blueberries and a drizzle of honey.

Indulging

I’m the type of girl who likes to treat and pamper herself. It’s the little things that make life so sweet. Making myself a cute breakfast, creating time to sunbathe and drink a tropical smoothie, or lounging in silky PJ’s make me feel good. Before quarantine, I was always on the go. I had classes all week, so many meetings, work, e.t.c. I was so used to the busy hustle that I honestly forgot what it was like to treat myself. I do like to be productive during quarantine, but I make time for at least 2-3x times in the week to make a bomb charcuterie board and watch The Sopranos and a Hulu, or HBO Original. Some honorable mentions are Good Trouble, Normal People, Little Fires Everywhere, Love Life, and Big Little Lies.

Self-development

Reading has improved life during quarantine. So has watching informational videos—whether its societal documentaries talking about race and identity, or a video about manifestation, or emotional intelligence. Setting aside a half-hour a day to dive deeper on human rights issues, and self-improvement does make a difference. Good information impacts us with better knowledge and understanding. Challenge yourself. Put in the time and investment to be wiser. Whether its having a better grasp on the real world that we are all navigating in—or if its relearning certain relationship and communication principles. The truest thing I heard a relationship coach say in a video, is that most people do not work on themselves. The extra time on my hands from quarantine has allowed me to be receptive to new things.

Keeping Creativity Alive

I am such an imaginative person at heart. Quarantine gave me the chance to revisit my creative side—the side of me that reminds of when I was twelve years old and had ideas for days, and a mind full of adventure. I’ve been listening and taking a chance on a lot of new music and fun reads. If it’s witty, I’m into it. If it’s incredibly crafty with a consistent theme, it’s all mine. For example, Taylor Swift. You can say what you want about her, but one thing for sure, she dreams her dream and executes it. I listened to Reputation this week. The entirety of it. And its now one of my favorite albums. It’s a complex, sensual, ‘soul-baring’ piece as Apple Music calls it. I also listened to the new Chole x Halle album, Ungoldy Hour. It’s a lush, liberating trip filled with airy melodies and high production value. There’s just something about badass, confident women who know how to effortlessly execute their vision. It’s inspiring! It unravels the artsy, carefree, unapologetic side of me.

Taking care of my body, treating myself to me-time, working on personal development and staying inspired has made quarantine a little sweeter. These times are difficult and burdensome. But I do believe controlling what we can in our daily lives can guide us.