S.R. Crawford's Blog, page 42

25th Birthday Ramble and Reflections (podcast)

It’s my birthday and so I thought I’d do some thinking and share all the thoughts and feelings I’m having now that I’m a quarter of a century years old!

Topics covered in the ramble:

How things change so quickly
Intentions and taking steps
Seeking clarity
Spirituality
Self-awareness
Fears
Transformation and Evolving
Balance

Click to play!

https://srcrawfordauthor.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/25th-birthday-ramble-and-reflection.mp3

xx

How to Grow Together: 8 Ways to Grow with Other People

Whether it is couples, friends, family, or whoever, here are 8 ways we can grow together and perhaps avoid growing apart…

 

Travel together

Travelling solo is definitely something we should all try at least once. However, in terms of this blog post, I think it’s important to travel with others who are important to us.

Travel encourages growth. As long as you’re not spending all your time poolside, you are likely to take in new cultures, languages, lifestyles, customs, and cuisines by travelling around the world. Therefore, doing so with other people means we are sharing an amazing, life-changing, mind-shaping experience with those people.

Sharing that together is not only a bonding experience, but a shared experience of growth.

If there’s someone you want to grow with, who you want to help to grow, and who you want to help you to grow, then hop on a plane together! You learn a lot about yourself, them, and the world by sharing this experience.

My bedroom walls are decorated with so many photographs of myself and my partner on our travels, along with myself and my sister. Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Venice, Verona, Faro, Lagos, and so on.

These experiences helped us to grow, and doing them together meant growing together, rather than one of us having these eye-opening experiences, while the other stayed the same.

 

Work out together

Again, I’ve done this with my partner, my sister, my mom, and my friends. Exercise is a crucial part of life and wellness. It’s not about having a great body at all; it’s about mental wellness, strength, flexibility, stamina, and trusting your body.

Working out can be boring or hard, but this is often because we pursue it in terms of the gym or running. Firstly, you can work out any way you want to! As long as your heart rate is elevated, you are doing good for your body.

Secondly, working out with someone else often makes it easier and more fun. You have an accountability partner who keeps you motivated, while also having someone to laugh with when your face is red and you are feeling jelly-legged!

As time goes on, you will see progress. You will congratulate one another. You will push one another. You will be in it together, which is amazing.

Finding a workout routine that works for you is ever so important, and perhaps doing it with someone else will help you to solidify this habit. Before you know it, you will see results and so will your buddy, and both of you will feel good and feel connected to one another for going on this growth journey together.

 

Take a class together

Learning new things is again, so important. It can open our minds and improve our competence, thus improve our confidence. Learning new things can be scary or difficult, at times, though. This is why it can help to be in that boat with someone else.

Doing a class with someone you want to grow with will feel, again, easier and more fun. You will learn and grow more, perhaps, because you can work together. You can study together. You can share ideas and teach one another. You can lean on one another. You can use one another’s strengths and help one another where there are weaknesses.

 

Read the same things

It’s important to read, watch or do things on your own, but it can be good to do things others do, too. I’ve read books and wished that I could talk about them with other people. My partner is not a reader (yet!) and so I feel this little barrier between us. But when he started reading a book I’d read last year, I felt elated. I could talk about those deep topics and ideas with him, thus bringing us together while also encouraging growth by exploring different perspectives.

 

Communication and sharing

As I’ve briefly said, sharing ideas and communicating your thoughts, opinions, or learnings with others helps you both to grow. When done in a mature, openminded manner, this encourages growth in you because exploring perspectives, ideas, and concepts opens our eyes to things we wouldn’t otherwise see for ourselves.

We educate one another.

If you want to grow together, adopt a mature and openminded approach to your conversations. And open the doors to explore ideas and share what you have learned.

 

Cooking together

It may seem silly, but cooking with others will encourage growth in you both. Exploring new recipes and cuisines is not only fun, but it’s useful and important, too. I used to think healthy eating was a punishment. That healthy foods weren’t tasty. There were so many foods I would never imagine eating regularly.

And now, those foods are my go-to favourites!

All because my partner and I have cooked together ever since living together. I’ve learned ways to cook foods that work for me, contrast to what I was fed by others.

It feels good to put the work into what you eat. It feels good to know exactly what is being put into your body.

Cooking is a life skill. Cooking helps you grow in this area, while also growing in terms of health, too.

Good foods = good body and mind.

One person shouldn’t do all the cooking, though! I trust my partner to cook the dinner, and he trusts me. Why? Because we mostly cook together. We learn and try new things, together. We grow in this area, together.

 

Trying new things together

Of course, trying new things with others makes these things less scary. You can share the fear and do it together. Then, having this experience bonds you with these heightened emotions, thrills, and finding your feet as you go.

When one person knows what they’re doing and the other doesn’t, it can feel like you’re alone in the new experience; you compare yourself to the expert you’re with. But when you’re both new to something, you are on equal footing and that feels much better.

Then, once it’s done, you feel so good about yourself for giving it a go, no matter the outcome. It’s an accomplishment, and sharing that with someone special is a bonding experience like no other.

 

Daring things together

Lastly, similar to doing something new is doing something daring and completely out of your comfort zone. I’ve parasailed with my partner, rode a horse, quadbiked on an African safari, swung from a building and completed a 10k obstacle run. These things were not only new to me, but terrifying to me, too!

I have this tendency to suggest exciting things for us to do, then when it comes to doing them, I get scared! But, lo and behold, my partner is good at making sure we do them. I pull out the gun, he pulls the trigger, as it were! We are a good team like that.

So, when it comes to doing something daring and scary, doing it with someone else helps you to cross the finish line. It helps you to be brave and do it despite your fears. And again, once it’s done, you feel a sense of euphoria. Adrenaline kicks in and you feel on top of the world. Sharing that with someone special (partner, sibling, parent, friend, other) will bring you together, push you past your believed limits, and of course, you will both grow as a result.

 

Are you on a growth journey right now? Are you doing this with others, too, to help one another go further and be on the journey together? Let me know!

 

Take care, guys

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx

Organisation and Decluttering Ideas at Home

It’s April and so it’s time for some Spring cleaning! Of course, with social distancing and self-isolation, too, it’s a perfect opportunity to really get into the cleaning and organisation of your home and life.

Why? Because a clean, orderly space, makes for a clean and orderly mind.

It may feel like a daunting task at first, but once you get started, your productivity will feel amazing and the snowball effect will come into play.

Here are some less obvious ideas for organising and decluttering at home…

 

Phone & Desktop

With all this extra time, it could be useful to finally dive into your phone (and desktop) and clear out the unnecessary things on there.

Photos

Jay Shetty had a great idea on his podcast to create virtual scrapbooks and albums on your phone. To organise photos you’ve taken into one shared folder or create a slideshow movie of them.

Plus, while you’re at it, you can delete all those photos that aren’t important anymore, saving room and reducing space on your phone.

 

Emails

On your phone or desktop, you should finally go through your emails and delete the ones that you just don’t need! I mean, you have the time so why not…

 

Apps

Organise similar apps into folders to reduce the amount of sideswiping you have to do to find what you need. This saves time and space. Plus, again, as you go, delete apps that you never use.

 

Spotify playlists

This is a good one. My music is a shambles! It’s the perfect opportunity to firstly, discover some new music and artists because you have the time to really dive in deep.

Secondly, to create playlists and organise albums, so that there’s not just a cluster of random music you don’t even like dotted around everywhere.

Create playlists by mood,Occasion (work, play, exercise, yoga),Tempo,Artist,Genre,

And lastly, clear out your “Liked” music list. I know I list songs all over the place and even accidentally Like full albums that I’ve never listened to. This creates an overpopulated clutter of songs in your Liked list. Clear this out, make it work for you. 

 

Bookshelf

Next comes your bookshelf. It’s time to organise it in some way or another:

Books you’ve read together, books you haven’t together,By colour,By author (Alphabetical),By genre,Fiction and non-fiction,To-Be-Read order

This will help you to know where everything is, and dive into whatever book you need for whatever mood/ time in your life.

Secondly, it’s time to get rid of books you don’t need, want, or know you won’t read. I used to keep books even after I’d read them, but when I thought about it, that didn’t make sense. Unless it’s a book I want to read again, a book I loved, or a book I want to lend to others, why do I need it taking up my space?

Be ruthless, donate it to charity (get a pile going for when you can leave the house and hit up the nearest charity shop!)

 

Photos

There’s the digital ones and the physical. If you have a cluster of photos taking up space, why not create a scrapbook or photo album which is organised by occasion, time, person, or whatever else?

I have a few scrapbooks, and a lot of trinkets and photos lying around ready to be put to use. Now is the time to put them to use!

 

Notebooks

Again, I have a lot of notebooks! Used ones, full ones, empty ones. Organise your notebooks in a few ways…

Take what you need, recycle the rest. Sometimes we think our notes are important, but let’s be real, they’re not always. So, take out the pages that are useful, and bin or recycle the rest. You don’t need a full notebook! As for the pages you do want to keep, put them in a folder like I do, organised by subject matter and need.

Second, put a pile of empty notebooks and half-used one together. So, when you need a new notebook, you don’t go straight to the shop, you instead use one from your pile. Don’t forget that you can organise and decorate notebooks to make them suit your needs better, too.

 

Wardrobe

And lastly, there’s the obvious: your clothing. I got really into decluttering last year and the year before. The truth is, you don’t need as much as you think you do. You only have one body; there are only 7 days in a week. Your wardrobe doesn’t need to be bursting open!

One in, One out rule

If you are buying new things, try to get rid of something, too. Don’t go crazy doing this without thought. That defeats the point and wastes your money. I understand buying new things to replace the old; to revamp your style. That’s perfectly fine, but consider donating some items if you’re stocking up on more.

 

Purpose

Ask yourself what the purpose of an item is. If you have something that serves the same purpose as something else, do you really need three things so similar? When buying, too, ask yourself what need that item will fulfil.

Yes, it’s pretty; yes, it’s cheap. But how often will you wear it? Is it really worth it? Does it have a purpose?

This is about being intentional about your purchasing as well as intentional about the use of your sacred space.

Your environment and your possessions matter, make sure they are serving you.

 

There you have it, some ideas for organisation and decluttering while at home during this time.

 

Take care, stay safe

 

S. xx

 

 

Third Week of Lockdown: Things to Do for Self-Care When Unmotivated and Anxious

It is now the third week of lockdown for us in the UK, and so I wanted to do a sort of updated to-do list now that I myself feel a lot less motivated and more anxious as time has gone on.

If you’re still in a good place, then great. If you want to use this time to get things done, like learning new things or the like, then great, go you!

But in case it wasn’t obvious, I wanted to be someone who gives you permission to not do those things. If you can’t bring yourself to do it; if you feel low, unmotivated or anxious, you’re not alone.

I feel myself declining a little; many ups and downs…

And so, I wanted to write a list of self-care things to do when feeling this decline.

 

Something physical

This doesn’t mean work out, although you can if you want (it’ll be really good for you and lift your mood with endorphins being released into your body). Instead, what I mean is just do something physical, something that moves your body. Basically, get up and do something, anything.

My mom said to me that she was going to do something physical and I was surprised, thinking she was going to exercise. What she actually meant was to clean the kitchen! 

Some ways to get physical when your energy is low:Clean (it’s gentle, productive, and therapeutic)Put your favourite playlist on and let your body start dancingYoga (just stretch, follow a video, move your body gently and relieve tension)Walk (you’re allowed out once a day for exercise in the UK, so walk if you don’t want to jog or anything else; walk the dog!)Cook a fresh meal

 

Something to relax

What makes you feel happier and calmer? This is the time to have a list at the ready and give yourself permission to do those things. Have compassion and kindness for yourself; this is a hard time, after all.

Mindful colouringReadingYogaMeditationBathPamper sessionWatch something gentle

 

Something you love

You can, of course, do something that you enjoy! Again, give yourself permission to do something that you love and that makes you feel good. This is the time to do it more than ever!

 

Something gentle but productive

This is something that feels good and purposeful but doesn’t demand too much from you. It’s something you want to do or know you should do, but doesn’t make you sad, overwhelmed, or exhausted from doing it.

ReadingJournalingFreewritingMeditationCleaningYogaDeclutterCookOrganise

 

Just be with yourself

Away from distractions and social media. Turn off your phones. Be aware and mindful of what you are putting into your mind and body during this time. Stop watching the news.

As Elizabeth Gilbert says in a podcast about overwhelm during this time, “if you’re watching the news, you’re bringing the crisis into your home. Don’t.“

She also encourages us to embrace the discomfort of being alone. To not see it as quarantine, but instead a period of self-isolation that we want and need.

Please listen to the podcast, because it really helped me feel calmer.

 

Just be with others

If you have others in your home with you, don’t further isolate yourself from them. Try to avoid unnecessary fights and try to embrace this time you have together. Just watch a film together, chat, play games. 

If you’re alone at home, you can do this virtually, thank god, with our modern age. Friday we did a virtual quiz night with my brother and his wife.

 

Watch something inspiring, funny and wholesome

This is not the time to watch horrors or disaster films or anything anxiety and fear-inducing. Instead, watch something that makes you feel good inside! Whether it’s an old fav or something on your list, give yourself permission to watch TV but make it something inspiring and heart-warming.

CommunityParks and RecreationBrooklyn 99HIMYMFriendsGilmore GirlsBob’s Burgers

 

Capture your thoughts and feelings

I think journaling is very important right now. Don’t think I mean a diary, I don’t. Just document your thoughts and feelings. It’s a perfect way to declutter your mind and bring your problems and feelings into reality for you to tackle.

 

Speak about your thoughts and feelings

And also, share these fears with trusted people. We’re all feeling low and afraid right now, so you won’t be alone in what you share.

Sharing is cathartic.

 

Get outside

Again, you’re allowed out for exercise once a day in the UK: use it! Go for a walk, a jog, or to sit under a tree far away from others. But get out in nature for some much-needed sunlight and fresh air. It goes a long way towards sanity, trust me. If not for my dog walks each day, I’m sure I’d feel much worse.

 

Little things

Here are some last little things that go a long way to feeling better within:

Make your bed every dayGet up, washed, dressed every dayEat well, don’t binge eat junk foodTurn off the news, updates, and social media for a whileKeep your environment cleanTry to have a routineTake breaksLaugh, dance, create

 

Take care, all

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx

Positives on the World’s Current Situation (podcast)

The state of the world is uncertain right now. Our livelihoods have been completely changed. It’s hard. It’s sad. It’s worrying. However, there are still some positives to see and seek right now in the world’s current situation. Here are some of those that I’ve found for myself…

Check out my list of things to do in self-isolation here.

Click to play!

https://srcrawfordauthor.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/positives-on-the-worlds-current-situation.mp3

xx

For Writers: Quarantine Writers’ Challenge!

Most of us around the world are stuck inside due to a virus that came out of nowhere…and that really sucks. Except, as long as we’re healthy, we writers have been presented with an opportunity: more time to write!

With this in mind, I wanted to challenge you. For those who don’t know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. It’s a month (April and October) where writers all around the world vow to write 50,000 words in one month. I “won” NaNoWriMo in October 2018, writing my MG fantasy story. I was unemployed and had a new idea, so I just went with it. It was hard but also easy! I loved it. The focus and challenge spurred me on…

And so, I thought we could do this now.

 

Of course, I have no idea how long quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, lockdowns and all that will last. Therefore, it doesn’t seem appropriate to set a definite figure for us all to reach. Plus, some people are now stuck homeschooling their children and working from home, and it’s all a very unsettling time.

Instead, I propose this: write 1k a day for as long as quarantine measures last.

This means that we could end up with 30k words written in one month or much more than that! Either way, it sounds good to me. 1k isn’t too much to ask…

And I don’t think we should be so strict as to say that this needs to be 1k a day towards the same project. For me, at least, I think as long as you write 1k towards something, you’re all good!

For those in the editing stage of a project, perhaps you could set yourself the goal of editing 1-2k of your project every day instead?

Basically, I just wanted to set an intention for myself to write every day while I have extra free time now. Therefore, I thought I’d challenge all of you, too!

 

Rules & Ideas for the Quarantine Writer’s Challenge:

Write 1k every day
1-2k of editing your current project(s)
No perfectionism! Just write something, anything!
Story writing
Novel writing
Poetry writing
Scriptwriting
Essay writing
Article writing
Blog writing
Comic writing
All genres
All age groups
Everything goes, just write 1,000 words!

 

How to keep track:

You could map out a grid for each month, or use your calendar, and put a word count for each day. Total it up at the end of each month.
You could get a notebook and write out a word count and total count each day, week and month.
You could set yourself a set figure, like NaNoWriMo’s 50k for April, if you so desire.
You could colour in a block grid for each 1k, 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k, 25k and so on as milestone trackers.

 

Good luck! Let’s see how much we’ve completed over the period of self-isolation. We might as well do something productive and have a focus during these uncertain times…

(I’ll probably update you at the beginning of May to see where I got to!)

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx

Quarterly Review and Reflections 2020

With it now being April, we have moved into the second quarter of the year and Spring to boot. Therefore, this is the perfect time to look back and reflect on a few things…

(Read to the end and download a workbook to help guide you through your quarterly review!)

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How are the resolutions/ goals/ self promises/ intentions that you set at the beginning of the year going?

The first thing to review are how your resolutions are going. We often set goals or resolutions at the start of the year, but they usually get left behind come March! Therefore, this is the perfect time to see whether those intentions you set are still resonating with you.

Do you still want to do those things? Can you?

Are they working?

Does it fit your life right now (things change)?

 

What have you learned so far about yourself, your life, the world?

No review or reflection goes without considering what you have learned so far along the way. Lessons come in all forms, bad or good, consciously or not.

Think back: what do you know now, or are clearer on now, than you were 3 months ago?

 

What has worked well?

This is where you think about all the things that have gone right in the last 3 months. What did you do well? What great things happened to or for you? Are any goals really working, perhaps ahead of schedule? Did you complete any goals?

 

What has worked not so well?

And of course, you must consider what hasn’t been working for you? What has failed, set you back, or felt wrong in the last 3 months? These things should be the focus of your plans for later…

 

What could you change or adjust?

Whether it’s something going well or going wrong, adapting and making adjustments is important for success.

How can things go even better? How can you challenge yourself further?

How can the things that aren’t working be discarded and replaced with something else? How can you find a new way of tackling something that’s not working?

Consider your habits and routines…

 

Highlight?

What is the best thing that has happened in the last 3 months? How did it feel? Why was it a highlight for 2020 so far?

 

Lowlight?

And what’s the worst thing that has happened in the last 3 months? How did it feel? Why was it so bad? Why did it happen and how could you prevent it from happening again?

(Of course, most of us will list the Coronavirus as our lowest point this year, especially if it has affected you personally. However, try to find some positives at this time, and also find another, more personal lowlight for the last 3 months to work on)

 

Steps forward from here…

Lastly, no review or reflection on how your life is going is worth doing without actually using that information to make a plan and make a change. So, with what you have considered so far, what are your steps forward from here?

Could you set new “resolutions” or goals for the year that better reflect your current life situation?

How can you use the lessons you’ve learned to impact your life?

How will you keep up momentum on the things that are working?

How will you fix what isn’t working?

 

There you go, some ideas for your Spring/April quarterly review and reflection of the last 3 months. How’s it been going for you? How will you ensure the next 3 months work well for you?

 

Download the Quarterly Review Workbook to help you fill out your reflections for FREE!

 

Good luck!

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx

Life Update: Doing Things Before You’re Ready (podcast)

As of the time of recording this, I have just finished my first week at my new job! And so, I wanted to give you a life update and talk about how I have been getting on. All with the theme of doing things before you’re ready (like a boss!)…

Click to play!

https://srcrawfordauthor.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/life-update-doing-things-before-youre-ready.mp3

xx

Positive Mindset Shifts for Uncertain Times

During the time of the Coronavirus outbreak, we’re all feeling very afraid and uncertain. But this isn’t a new feeling. We all go through periods of uncertainty that make living our everyday lives hard.

Here are some general (and some specific) ideas about how to shift to a positive mindset during uncertain times.

 

Focus on the now and immediate concerns

In uncertain times, we can often skip to the panicking. We try, and ultimately fail, to control and fix and predict the future. Oftentimes, there is no fix; no easy one, anyway.

In times like this, we only drive ourselves crazy trying to fix things. This situation is outside of our immediate control. Therefore, all we can do is focus on the here and now. All we can do is take the next step forward as suggested by our government and the professionals on the frontlines. 

Focus inward and tackle what you can in your personal life with intentionality, clarity, and compassion for yourself. It’s okay that you feel off-balance, but there really is nothing more for you to do than live right now, as best as you can, and deal with one thing at a time.

 

Don’t make assumptions

When reading about the world right now, or reading and hearing about things in general, it can be easy to make assumptions based on a small amount of information. This is true for everything, actually. We often assume things about others, ourselves, life, the world, and all that.

Stop!

One of the Four Agreements is to not make assumptions, and with good reason. Assumptions are no good for us…

They’re not fact, they’re fiction.

The opposite of assuming is gaining clarity. This means asking questions, doing research, and finding the truth (or as close to it). Right now, specifically, it’s very hard to know the truth because there is just so little we know about the virus and a cure/vaccine. And so, don’t assume the worst and don’t drive yourself crazy searching for an answer.

As odd or horrible as this may sound, we must just accept the uncertainty and breathe through the uneasiness of that.

It’s okay not to have all the answers, but live anyway.

 

Shift the mindset of lack

You must focus on what you have and what you can do, not what you don’t have or can’t do. Simple! If you focus on what you can’t control, again, you set yourself up for a panic attack. Instead, look to what you can do and do have.

Try this affirmation: I have everything I need. 

 

Spread positivity

We all have something to offer, so this is the time to share it and spread some fairy dust! Whether you give good advice and can share that; or you’re a great TikTok dancer and can share that; or you are a teacher who can share resources for children off school; whatever it is, share it. Help people in whatever way you can.

Helping others helps ourselves in return. It’s good Karma. Plus, it will help you focus on positivity amidst your own fears and uncertainty.

 

Rest, dance, play

Tell yourself that right now, it’s okay to take a step back from the rat-race. To breathe, take life a little slower, rest, dance, and play! Give yourself permission in these uncertain times to shake it off, reset, press pause, and give your aching mind some rest.

 

“Solutions are on their way”

I stole this affirmation from the Awesome with Alison podcast. I love the ideas and mindsets that she and her husband share, so definitely check that out. 

But this affirmation is perfect for right now and in general uncertain times in life. Like I say, we must step back and stop trying to control and manically find a solution. Instead, breathe and accept and convince yourself that you are safe and that solutions are on their way to you (or the world) and life will feel normal again at some point.

 

Break things down into manageable chunks

Break down your problem or your situation into manageable chunks. Simplify it, basically. This will look different depending on the situation.

List and break down options in front of you to help you make a decisionTurn “we are in a pandemic, the world is on fire, we’re all gonna die” into realistic, manageable chunks: “We must keep away from other people, for now, be extra aware and clean, and adapt to a new way of living from our homes“Get rid of the clutter, the excess ideas that aren’t important or aren’t serving youJournal to get clear on your thoughts and feelings and even intentionally try to rewrite those thoughts into something more positive and manageable 

 

Learn as you go

During uncertain times, it’s a good idea to tell yourself that this is a learning curve. That we all go through times of not knowing what we are doing, thus learning along the way. Finding our feet. And that’s okay.

Right now, we aren’t all naturally accustom to staying home for most of the day. Therefore, we’re all learning how to do that on the job, as it were. Trial and error; taking each day as it comes.

Then, one day, you’ll realise that you’re much better at it and that you know how to better handle the uncertainty.

 

People are coming together (metaphorically)

In the pandemic situation, we must focus on the good right now. People are stepping up and doing some good…

Clapping every night out their windows for the health workers in Paris.People in Italy singing and dancing on balconies, igniting the night with their music.People using their delivery trucks to transport goods and medicine to nursing homes and the elderly. Nurses and doctors working tirelessly in dangerous environments.How millions of people all clapped in the UK for the NHS staff at 8pm! 82, 000 people (and counting) have recovered from the virus!People donating and sharing foods and goods that people who really need it can’t get from stores.Free resources from businesses; Audible giving kids books, for example.

People are showing their humanity, and that’s what we need to remember when we feel like the world right now is all doom and gloom.

 

Take care, all; you’re not alone.

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx

 

Mental and Emotional Health Tips for Self-Isolation

We’re all stuck inside and therefore our mental and emotional wellbeing will take a hit. Not everyone pays attention to their mental health, but we all should, especially right now in these trying times. 

Here are some of my ideas about how to cope and care for yourself right now to maintain mental and emotional wellness during self-isolation periods.

 

Keep busy

You might have work to do, or you might not, but being stuck at home isn’t often as good as it sounds at first. You will get bored quickly and that boredom will soon become anxious or depressive feelings. To combat this, you need to stay busy (or rather, productive).

Get something done every day.

Set yourself a goal or challenge or project to keep you focused and motivated throughout your days.

 

Keep active

This also isn’t an excuse to be lazy and just binge Netflix all day. It’s important for your wellbeing to keep active. To move your body as much as you can.

Exercise (with your household, alone, in the garden, living room, jog, whatever) Move around (switch up positions and environments often)Stretch (if you are working, get up and stretch every hour) Dance session (great for positive vibes and endorphins!) Go for a walk  (at a safe distance from others and only once a day)

 

Routine

The sudden lack of routine can make us feel off-balance. Therefore, it is now your job to create a routine for yourself.

Don’t fall into the trap of sleeping in just because you canHave set working hours just like you would normally and keep to themTake breaks at the same times and regularly Health and wellness routines kept

 

Escapism

In all this fear and uncertainty, it can do you a world of good to escape the reality of this situation (which is perfectly fine to do). It doesn’t do your mental health any good to be constantly checking the news or updates. Keep safe and informed, but don’t drive yourself crazy with it.

Instead, have a form of escape.

Read fiction booksWatch fantasy films or TV showsCreate freelySocial media and news “off hours” where you don’t check

 

Care for your space

While you’re home, make sure your home is a good place to be in. Keep it clean and tidy. Make sure it’s motivating and appropriate for what you now need it to do.

A messy space will quickly make for a messy mind.

 

Avoid the news and social media

If you’re feeling anxious, I repeat, TAKE TIME AWAY FROM THE MEDIA. There is a lot of misinformation and fear-mongering going on. Don’t ignore it, but don’t fall into panic and the lies either.

 

Respect those in your household

If you have a full household right now, it can be tough for all of you. You’re suddenly hanging out (or working with) people you usually wouldn’t see all day. It is therefore important to respect their space and set boundaries so that they respect yours.

Tell them your working hours and what you need from them to be able to get on with thingsHave House Rules that you all follow (we do!)Have Alone Zones so that everyone knows where they can be alone if neededBe there for each other, too

 

Stay connected

We may not be able to meet up with each other, but we can still keep in touch. Our modern world makes it easy to stay connected, so use these tools. Message your friends and loved ones. Call, FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangout, whatever.

Don’t forget to check in on people, and reach out if you’re feeling lonely.

 

Mix up your day

Routine is important for stability and productivity, but it is also a good idea to change up what you do each day, at least a little. This helps you feel less bored and frustrated with being stuck inside. Don’t do just one thing (or one type of thing) all day every day.

So, for me, I shouldn’t write (or write the same thing) all day. I could break it up with other things like yoga, reading, online content, learning etc.

 

Get up, get dressed

Just as you would for work, get up and get dressed. Don’t allow yourself to go bra-less and shower-less just because you’re not leaving the house. Showering and getting dressed (properly, not in joggers) can help you feel motivated and normal. 

 

Separate “work” from “home”

As with a routine, you need to also know, and distinctly separate, work and home. You no longer have an office space to do that for you. If you’re lucky enough (like me) to have a desk or home office, great; keep that for work and remove yourself from that space when not working.

If not, create a space where possible. Try not to work from your bed, as this will start to affect your sleep patterns. Your brain needs to associate your bed with rest, not work. Maybe use the kitchen table. Or the sofa. Or a makeshift table made from books or folders. If you have a lap tray, then great!

Use your imagination and your space as best you can, but keep your home, home and your work, work.

 

Use your garden and neighbourhood (away from others)

For those of us who have a garden, use it! It’s Springtime and the weather is beginning to turn, so get outside and get fresh air regularly. Exercise in your garden. Do some work or reading or creating out there, too. It may not be summer, so wrap up warm, but the fresh air and added space are good tools for combatting Cabin Fever.

And get outside in your neighbourhood for your one-exercise-a-day allowance, now placed on us in the UK. Whether you walk or jog, make the most of that time.

Get out in nature and it will help you feel refreshed.

And of course, do so away from others.

 

Speak up and share your fears

If you are feeling low or anxious, speak up. Sharing how you feel right now will do a world of good. You’re not alone. We’re literally all in this together, so share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust and open up a dialogue for them to do so, too.

 

Make a list

Lastly, make a list of things you can do or want to do so that you know each day when you wake up that there is something worth doing. Something to motivate and inspire you.

I wrote a list and categorised it by Creativity, Work and Content, Social and Leisure, Learning, Health and Wellness, and Home Care.

This helps me to see what I can do, should do, and want to do with my time across all categories. Writing it out helped me feel purposeful and inspired, while helping to guide my days and fill my free time productively.

But of course, also rest. Allow yourself this time to press pause and relax a bit more than usual. I know a lot of people get stressed and never get to stop. The world is forcing you to slow down, so maybe you could use this time to finally do so.

 

Here’s an article from the BBC with more advice (especially for those who already suffer with their mental health or from a mental illness).

 

Take care, all.

 

Sincerely,

 

S. xx