2020. What a year it’s been already – and you might be thinking, “how is it only half over?”
I’ve always been a “glass half empty” kind of person too. But relocating to a new city (in the midst of a global pandemic) has taught me a lot of things – the most crucial of which is the importance of staying positive. We’re all living through what can only be described as the most bizarre year in human history, but I’m hopeful that it means change for the better is coming.
It’s been a weird time. The feelings of isolation and loneliness that naturally come with relocating to a new city were really amplified by quarantine (yes, I’ve been incredibly lucky to live through this with my husband, but remember that people living with their partner get lonely too). And on top of that, adding feelings of being overwhelmed, powerless, sad, and disappointed at recent events in the US.
But we all come to a tipping point where we think to ourselves, “I need to get my shit together” – myself included.
With that in mind, and knowing it’s been a tough time for us all, I’m sharing some tips that have helped me recently.
Give yourself a break from social media.
Disconnect – even if it’s just for a few hours or a day. We all need a break from the advertising, the comparison, the fear of missing out – or lately, the constant pressure and fear to say or do the right thing. Sometimes we just need a little mental space, and if you tend to get swept up in those Instagram spirals, try utilizing the screen time limit settings on your phone.
Get some sleep.
Most of us are having trouble sleeping right now for one reason or another, and there’s no band-aid solution that will work for everyone. But studies show that on average we need at least 7 hours of sleep each night to be functioning humans. I’ll be sharing a post on what’s worked for me to get better sleep, but one of the best things has been avoiding technology at night. There are a ton of articles that tell you to keep your phone in another room – I’m definitely too attached for that, and it’s also impractical since my phone doubles as my alarm. But, you can keep it charging overnight somewhere you can’t reach (like a dresser) instead of your nightstand, and lately I’ve been turning my phone on airplane mode 30 minutes or so before bedtime. Do some stretching, meditation, or read a book instead.
Find an outlet.
For some reason the idea of having a lot of time at home was overwhelming at first, and I tried to fill every hour with something useful. But your outlet doesn’t need to be productive in the traditional sense – the only thing it needs to be is rewarding. Get outside for a walk if it’s an option, try coloring, or watch a funny show (I highly recommend Schitt’s Creek & Derry Girls on Netflix). Reflect on what could take your mind off of what’s going on the world, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Reach out to someone.
Even when you’re surrounded by people, you can still feel lonely. Reach out to a friend, a mental health professional, a co-worker, a family member. Laugh, talk, cry.
Plan for the future.
A lot of my friends call me a spreadsheet nerd, and for good reason – I love planning. Take some time to plan something new! Get your CV/resume ready to apply for a new job, think about what you want to do for New Year’s Eve this year, or research your next travel destination. Thinking about the future gives you something to look forward to and make time feel relevant again, which is especially helpful when you’re stuck at home day-in and day-out.
Respect this moment.
Our world may be changing. The ground below you may feel like it’s shifting daily. But on a macro-level, recognize that we are living through one of the most unprecedented moments in history. Enjoy the time you have to yourself, because these experiences will never repeat themselves. To put it simply in the immortal words of Ferris Bueller:
Life moves pretty fast.
If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Outfit details
Similar white lace top; photo taken in Prague.
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