Positive Distractions and Grateful Escapism

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I have now been working from home for 100 days, and it looks as though it will be another 100 days before I may return. Our family has found a new normal, a new pace, and while it has been challenging we have enjoyed the time together. My husband and I are both working from home with a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old currently at home.

In this journey to find a new normal, my “me time” is starting to also look very different. I take the kids on a car ride once a day usually for some no-contact errand. I work outside in the shade while I watch the kids play.

In this new normal, I share with you some positive distractions and escapes I have found for “me time.”

Organize

Since we are working from home we are obviously spending a lot more time there. We have all felt the need to nest, organize, and clean the house. I have organized our pantry and medicine cabinet, cleaned out closets, cleared out old toys, and tried to sell more of our personal items on Poshmark.

Like many of you, we have all gotten addicted to TikTok. In fact, I made a few videos of my pantry organization and one of them has 60,000 views!

Exercise

I was getting tired even though we weren’t doing anything. I know part of that is my anxiety and depression creeping up, but it led me to start running again. On cooler days, I run over lunch, and on hotter days I run after dinner. I downloaded a 5K app that keeps me accountable and I did some at-home workouts through Uplift Fitness Studio. It has also doubled as quiet time away from social media that I can unwind.

Meditate

Having trouble getting to sleep? That’s also a part of our process transitioning to being home so much. One night when I was having a lot of problems sleeping I downloaded the Calm app. I had done this before, but this time I paid the subscription to get some sleep tracks. Now that the days are nicer, I may sneak onto the hammock outside to work and just listen to the birds.

Distractions: Be a Kid

My husband and I are both working from home with our two children also home. Everyone asks us how we do it and I say, “We don’t.” Let’s be clear: We aren’t meant to do all of this at one time. But, one thing I have loved is really playing with my kids. I get dirty painting, running outside, I let my kids spray me with the hose, and we dig for worms. When we work, we don’t always have time for them, but when we put everything down we really give them our full attention. I find it’s always the best way for me to decompress.

What techniques or distractions have you found to unwind, find “me time,” or manage your stress at home during quarantine?

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