Who’s tired of being stuck at home? We know for sure we are. COVID-19 has already put a huge damper on our normal routines. Our commute to work, our Starbucks run, our lunch with friends have all been dashed. We now have a new normal, so we think it’s an excellent time to try mixing it up in a positive way while changes are already happening. Use this newly found wave of change to better your routine, and your attitude about change overall.
Cooking At Home – Whether you were a five-star chef before the quarantine, or more like a bachelor/ette in take-out-food paradise, start by mixing up your food routine by trying new things and making more of your own food. Don’t know where to start? Check out videos on YouTube, such as “How to Master 5 Basic Cooking Skills” by Gordan Ramsay or “How to Make Perfect Rice” by Tasty Videos. Learn a solid foundation of culinary skills before diving into the big stuff, like “Boeuf Bourguignon” by the Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. Chances are, you have some household members who will appreciate the time you’ve invested in mastering a skill worth sharing.
Take a Class Online – So you’ve gained a little bit of extra time, with not having to commute to and from the office. Pour yourself a glass of wine in the evening, and get ready to take some good notes. Taking an online class doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of free resources to cover really anything you’d like to learn about. Maybe the egg shortage has got you wanting to be an urban farmer. Try “Beginners Guide to Raising Backyard Chickens” and see how well you’d do. Online class websites like “Masterclass” and “Udemy” are having specials right now on several courses and subscription rates, so browse through the categories and see if it’s something you’d benefit from. Having a simple study routine will be a welcome change from quarantine jail.
Get Your Hands Dirty – Yes, the San Antonio “Stay At Home” order does keep us from running our normal errands and socializing with friends. However, spending some time in your backyard, or on your apartment patio, with a little bit of dirt nature definitely doesn’t hurt anyone or violate any rules. Nurture that plant you’ve had for years, that has some scraggly brown leaves. Order an herb plant to be delivered, and see what types of plants grow well in your area. If plants aren’t your thing, even sitting on the back porch with a glass of lemonade can be good enough to mix up your routine. Have a conference call outdoors, so the sun can warm your skin a little while you work from home. Don’t forget the mosquito spray, if you plan to spend some time outdoors for an extended period of time. Nobody ordered the mosquitos to stay in their home, so we’re still fair game.
Most importantly, don’t forget to recognize that these changes are difficult, even if you’re a master-level introvert. Canceled plans, birthday parties, and celebrations are a bummer. But spin the bad news around and use this time to create a new routine that makes you proud and excited for another day.
In case you missed it: “Why National Mom & Pop Business Day Has Never Been More Important” reminds us how we can support small businesses through the current health struggle. SOGO Insurance is here to help our clients, big and small, through your insurance needs. Give us a call to discuss policies that work best for you.
