Raise your hand if you know what phase we are in of Quarantine…. I feel like everyone is on a totally different page lol. But if there’s one thing I think we can all agree on, it’s how hard the quarantine blues can hit us. I’m not going to lie, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions over here!
I actually wrote this blog post about a week ago when I was feeling optimistic, but then out of nowhere the blues hit me once again! It didn’t feel right sharing ways I put my energy into good use, when I was feeling like shit lol! So instead of telling you, “yOu GIve liFE To wHAt yOu giVE eNerRGy to… blah blah blah,” I’m just going to be real with you all… I’m desperately craving for things to go back to normal and really want some sort of socialization haha… long story short, this Covid shit SUCKS and there have been lots of ups and downs, sadness, frustration, and emotions.
I don’t want to and don’t plan to focus on the negative in this post, but I feel like it’s important for people to know they aren’t alone in what they’re feeling! That simple realization is exactly what made me feel better this time around. I think if you take anything away from this post, it should be to open up about the way you may be feeling…even if you need to cry it out… even if it is more than once. Let out all your pent up frustration. The more you hold it in, the more it will build and get worse. Give yourself time to adjust and start finding things that make your mood and days brighter.
Today I’m sharing some simple day to day things that I have done to make me feel better when this all feels too overwhelming. I’m hoping some of these ideas will help you brighten up your mood as well!
- Go to an outdoor lunch, dinner, or picnic with a friend: This is the first thing I did and one of the most important! Shout out to my bestie Javi for alway being down for a lunch and dinner date! It’s SO nice to get out, eat at a restaurant, SOCIALIZE, and laugh. Getting together was that dose of happiness and “normalcy” that I think we both needed. – With that said, if you do go out with your friends, please remember to wear your masks. I’ve been keeping my circle close and making sure we are all taking the right precautions before seeing each other. Have fun, but be safe (:
- Go back into your music archives: Some of you may or may not know, One Direction recently had their 10 year anniversary. Since that day, I went down memory lane and haven’t looked back. I’ve been playing 1D (and Harry Styles- my fave 😉 ) nonstop… and it’s the BEST THING EVER! Every song and album brings back such a rush of happy and fantastic memories. I can’t help but love the feeling! Maybe it’s not One Direction that does the trick for you, but I promise going back into your musical archives and pulling some of your favorite songs and/or albums from the past will do wonders in shifting your focus and mood.
- Go to the beach (or mountains, depending where you live): For me, a beach day was EXACTLY what I needed to feel like myself again a few days ago. I don’t know if it was sunshine, the salty water, or the fresh tan I got afterwords, but I was a changed woman when I walked off the sand. Anywhere by the water is my happy place, so I definitely think having a day to disconnect and recharge is exactly what we all need.
- Buy yourself or someone else flowers: Bought myself Hydrangeas from Trader Joe’s (btw freshest flowers ever, 3 weeks in and they are still going strong!) and put them by my bedside. I love to see them when I wake up each morning. While you’re at it pick up a bunch for someone who also needs a little pick-me-up. A nice gesture is good for the soul!
- Clean out your closet: Finally did a second decluttering of my closet and did a clothing sale on Instagram. Check it out on @hellooliviascloset. Loved the whole process of videotaping, selling, and then packing up all the goodies in cute bags to deliver. Having this as a distraction was great!
- Go on evening walks or runs. I usually workout in the mornings but I switched up my routine the other day and went for an evening run. It was awesome seeing new faces, people walking their dogs, playing with their kids and just enjoying the outdoors. Getting my head out of my phone and just enjoying my surroundings felt really necessary.
Lord knows I don’t have all the answers lol, but I do think and hope little by little things WILL get better. Adjusting to this new normal is strange and it’s okay to get in your feels every once in awhile. Just remember this too shall pass!
We are all in this together!
Stay positive peeps! Sending you a big virtual hug!