My five: quarantine edition

If I have learned anything about myself in this quarantine it’s that I can not be trusted with ‘online window shopping’ after a glass or two of wine. I’d be lying if I said online shopping didn’t quickly become a quarantine hobby (alongside playing The Sims and binge-watching the Real Housewives and Selling Sunset series).

While some people were truly productive at the beginning of this strange time, I opted for a healthy balance of reading new books and drinking a bottle of wine on random Wednesday evenings. That said, I did take the time to get back to the things I truly love and mix up my morning routine a bit. I start each day with an hour walk with Chester, then I come home, make the best iced coffees for Jason and I, and get to work.

I also started working on this website again and have been brushing up my video editing skills from uni (thanks more-recently to my uber sweet, uber talented friend Amy). You can watch my first video below where I outline the other activities I’ve dug into while in lockdown in London (outside of online shopping and wine). With no shortage of baking, scoring our first strawberries from our rooftop garden and dog walking, I hope you enjoy the below curation of how J and I have kept busy in lockdown.

During a time when mental health is at an all-time low and it can be hard to get excited about days spent essentially doing the same things, there are a few things that have helped me maintain balance during such an uncertain time so strap in for a very exciting (see: most-likely basic) edition of my five: quarantine-style.

Routine

I know, I know, literally everyone has been preaching the benefits of a solid routine during this uncertain/odd time. In a world of unknowns, routine is like the coconut oil for the mind. Feel anxious? get a routine. Can’t sleep at night? Update your nighttime routine. Spending too much time scrolling social media? Stick. to. your. routine. This is a big one for my mom. When I first moved to Chicago and worked primarily from home, I really struggled with my motivation to, you know, actually work. My mom’s first bit of advice was to get a solid routine started and, as much as I hate admitting it, she was right. I felt better within a few weeks. Living in lockdown has been particularly reminiscent of my early Chicago days so I swear a solid routine will help balance your mind (and make you feel more productive!).

My dog

Probably the reason I find sticking to a routine so easy is thanks to my pup, Chester. Since I introduced a one-hour morning walk to our day, you can count on Chester to wake up between 4:30 and 5 a.m. where he hops off our bed and pops downstairs to sunbathe in the patches of light on the floor of our living room. By 7:30 we’re out the door, no matter the weather. I know not all pets are routine-dependent, but Chester keeps me to a schedule. At lunchtime when J and I are working out, Chester claims this as his play time, nudging us to throw his toys in between reps. Later in the afternoon, J and I both take him for a walk or visit to the park. It’s believed simply petting a dog is therapeutic and I can’t agree more. Even despite Chester not being the most compassionate dog, time spent around him (usually) makes me feel the stress melting away.

Daily exercise

A no-brainer, but pre-lockdown, I was going to yoga, barre and weights classes every week. When lockdown was enforced, and fitness clubs closed, I quickly opted for the excuse of “I would workout if I could.” After one week, I felt miserable, grumpy and on edge. I signed up for almost every free exercise trial I could find, then returned to my favourite workout program: Tone It Up. I’ve been a fan of theirs for years (I even used their workouts to get in shape before J and I’s wedding reception!) and have likely done every free workout video on their YouTube channel 100+ times, so once my free trial ran out, I purchased the app and haven’t looked back. J has even been joining me for the workouts (which we’ve been doing 5-6 times a week for the last three months). I’ve also returned to yoga and running again which feels great.

Reading

When I was little, you couldn’t pry a book from my hands, but I’m embarrassed to admit that as an adult, I stopped reading. Working as a writer and marketing copywriter, I would spend my days writing, reading and editing so I often didn’t feel like doing the same in my downtime. I’ve since reunited with this childhood love and couldn’t be happier. While the books I’ve been reading have mostly fallen into two categories: crime thrillers and chick lit, reading has been a welcome escape from an otherwise stressful time.

Treat yourself

Once a week, I like to practice a little ‘treat yourself’ moment. This is often in the form of a coffee from J and I’s favourite Italian deli/café or a bottle of wine from our local wine shop for date night. While the beginning of lockdown was fraught with ‘treat yourself’ moments in the form of online shopping (see: extensive loungewear purchases, bedside table replacements and more jumpers than any person living in London during summer months needs), these shopping experience have been pared back and replaced with more budget-friendly options. Plus, anyone who has been truly living in lockdown knows how sweet your first shop-bought coffee tastes after weeks of homemade attempts.

Bonus tip: date nights

Date nights have been a nice way for J and I to switch up our usual weekly routine. Every couple of weeks, we’ll peg one night as date night where we set aside our phones, pick a new recipe to make or order in. We both get dressed up (I even put makeup on!) and then enjoy a fine-dining experience in our kitchen or our small outdoor space. An easy way to break up the week, this is a nice way to make a weekend feel a bit more ‘special’ (especially if you’re quarantining with your partner and spending every single hour together).