Life is too short. We’ve had months to sit home, cry, and complain to each other about how terrible life is right now. We dramatically question – will life ever be the same? Will we ever hug or shake hands again? Well, here’s my new canned response…
ENOUGH!
Thinking negatively can really bring you and those around you down, so maybe it’s time we all buck up? We’re in a pandemic!
I know it’s been easier for some than others, but judging by the rollout of a vaccine and the potential for first-responders to receive the shot before the end of the year, maybe we are finally rounding the final turn. And if we only have a few more months left of this – more time with the kids, spouses, saving money on those expensive group dinners…
Life is too short! Why not flip the script and think about all the fun things we can now do with the time we have left?
For example, slowly and very inexpensively, I have styled the rooms in my house differently by having extra time to look things up on Pinterest and put the inspirational ideas to use. I lost my job because of COVID (BTW, I still hate you COVID, FYI), but that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything to make my house look better!
The rustic sticks on my mantle highlighted by other cute accents came from the yard after a storm and ribbons from gifts I had in my holiday box. So to inspire you to try to put the extra time to good use…
Here are ten things I have done to flip the pandemic switch from negative to positive. Life is too short!
Pinterest: It can be either a time-waster or the best/cheapest interior design consultant you’ve ever had. Here are some of my real Pinterest searches that have netted real-world results: fall wardrobe options, how to organize a small bathroom, under the sink organization, and nightstand drawer organization.
CookBook Tabbing: How many cookbooks do you have in your house? Okay, now pull two off the shelf and set yourself up with some sticky notes to pick some new meals for this week and next. My husband whipped some out, and this weekend I didn’t stop him. He’s so excited to cook some new meals, and I’m excited to eat them.
Home Editing: Those drawers or closets that you quickly open and close to get something out because if you leave it open for more than a split second, 98 more things will come tumbling out? Digging through leftovers to get a piece of fruit? Well, get on that. Start with The Home Edit. It’s airing on Netflix (or Google it) and look at their amazing work as they organize everything and anything. Besides the obvious – they even organize refrigerators!
Game Time: Chess, Uno, Dominoes, Go Fish, Hide N Seek, oh my! Ready, set, go!
Holiday Movies: “Mom, do I really have to pick another holiday movie?” Yes, it’s the holidays. (Am I really the bad person here? I would have LOVED for my mom to actually sit down with me to watch Home Alone, the Grinch, or National Lampoon’s Christmas).
Holiday Music Sessions: Anywhere you turn this time of year, it’s on, sort of like a weird stalker that comes out for two months a year. But embrace it! Listen while eating meals, driving, etc. I recently showed my kids what a music video was, and it blew their minds!
Holiday Light Hunting: Why pay for a ticket to be stuck in traffic to see the “best” lights around when you can drive down any road and find some? Thank you, believers! My kids and I have been enjoying it, and we’re sorry your electric bills are skyrocketing.
Ding and Ditch (with a payoff): Make cards, drive to a friend’s house in masks (not scary ones, haha), sneakily ring the doorbell, and leave behind a treat.
Socially Distanced Playdates: It’s so easy to put on a few layers of clothes, text some playdate plans for yourself or your kids, and get out of the house for a few hours while the weather is mild.
Plan a Holiday Gift Exchange: I joined one on Facebook, and now I’ve been doing raffles and virtual events. It has been fun and time-consuming! I’m looking forward to a Secret Santa that I’m taking part in on Christmas Eve.
A Scheduled FaceTime/Zoom/Skype: Use that Zoom account as much as you can before we have to start going out into the real world again. Create calls with friends, family, or anyone who will listen. It will make you feel so much better. Some friends I don’t even text with anymore. We wash our face together at night, and just chit chat over FaceTime.
If you don’t like any of these, make your own list. I can’t be the only one out there who loves a good list. I promise you will enjoy having completed your own and then doing the things on your list and crossing them off. Feels so good!
