I have no idea how long it’s been since we all started staying at home in the state of New Jersey. The days and times have all meshed together so I frequently don’t know what day of the week it is anymore! Now that I finished my classes for the semester (YAY), I’m sure this is going to be a bigger problem because I don’t have to wake up early during certain days.
Like a lot of people, I’m feeling a bit stir crazy. I don’t go out a lot normally, but I miss window shopping at the mall or my doodle dates at Panera with my friend. I also miss not fearing for my life and being near people.
Despite all that, I try my best not to think of these things, as I should be thankful my family members and I are healthy and safe! Instead, I try to do things that help me stay sane while staying at home.
Drawing & Shop Work
Drawing can help alleviate stress and anxiety. When I draw, I momentarily forget about the outside world and focus on what I’m trying to make. I turn on some music that helps my creative juices flow, and I do this for maybe an hour up to five or six hours in a day. You can see what I’m currently thinking about … hahaha!
Besides drawing, I’m constantly brainstorming ideas for what I could do next for my online shop. I’dd love to have a bunch of things there like keychains, enamel pins, and even sticky notes or notepads, but those all require outsourcing. I’m not yet comfortable with doing any of that because that usually requires me to buy in bulk and it’s more than what I want to spend right now. If I were making more sales and consistent sales, I’d feel it would be okay then to start doing those things. I’m currently in the process of making bookmarks, and I’m so excited!
Binge Watching Shows
It’s the perfect time to catch up on the shows I’ve been wanting to watch! I still have a ton of shows on my watch list, but I’ve managed to catch up to the latest One Piece episode (an anime with over 900 episodes … and it’s still not finished). Currently, the shows I’m watching are We Bare Bears and Once Upon a Time. I’m a sucker for cartoons and fairy tales so I couldn’t resist!
Exercising
When I still attended school on campus, I would at least be able to get some exercise by walking from the parking lot to my classes. Now that we are all staying at home, I’ve been sitting so much more, which is terrible!
My exercise routine is still not great, but I manage to get up and exercise at least two or three times a week. Because of my back, I also try to get up and do a lot of stretches so I don’t feel like death. I’ve also had some motivation to walk around my neighborhood when it’s warm and sunny out! I actually found out there’s a hiking trail right in my neighborhood so I’m going to explore that at some point!
It’s super hard for me to get the motivation to exercise, but I’m glad I got to do a little something during this time! I’ve always blamed it on the fact that I have no time, but now I really don’t have an excuse not to.
Video Games
I’ve occupied a lot of my time not only watching shows but playing video games (on PC)!!
- The Sims 4 – I made my best friend, her boyfriend, and my mom. It’s pretty funny to watch their interactions with each other!
- Graveyard Keeper
- Untitled Goose Game – finally finished it!
- MapleStory
- My Time at Portia
(MapleStory) I can dance with others and not worry about being 6 ft. away
Making / Editing YouTube Videos
Besides opening my online art shop in the middle of all this, I also started up a YouTube channel for my art page, where I talk about my experience of opening up a shop and have “studio vlogs”! I never imagined I’d be able to make YouTube videos especially living where I am now, as the internet here is HORRENDOUS. However, I found that I can just upload my video at night while I’m asleep so it doesn’t bother anyone during the day (for reference, it takes like TWO HOURS to upload a 5-8 minute video).
I also never imagined editing videos could be so fun? It’s almost kind of therapeutic (maybe I’m crazy)!
How are YOU staying sane during these crazy times?!
Treating Myself
New Things
My Silver Linings During Lockdown
Back To School – My First Two Weeks
Oh my god! I can’t believe that you did it! 900 eps is crazy and an amazing feat! I always wanted to catch up to the latest OP ep but I am too intimidated by the sheer amount of eps. Lol! Stay safe and healthy, Geraldine!
http://sarahrizaga.blogspot.com/
Hahah One Piece was not that hard to get thru cuz it gets SO GOOD and you just wanna binge it all!! Don’t think about the numbers ๐ Thanks for reading Sarah! xx
It looks like you have got a lot of things to keep you going whilst staying at home! I love seeing all your drawings on your instagram, it inspired me to start practising drawing so I bought some books to help me and when I have time around work I’ll sit at my kitchen table and do some drawing. Even though I’m at home all the time now, I still don’t have tons of spare time as I have to work the usual 9-5 grind haha, but blogging is definitely something that has kept me sane too, I’ve loved getting back to my blog! Glad you’re doing okay!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Aww thank you Chloe and I’m happy I got to inspire you to do that! I’m happy you got to get back to blogging, we need that free time to destress! xx
Loved reading about all of the things you are doing to stay sane at home! Your art is truly beautiful, so I’m glad you’re pursuing it and making something out of it. Definitely excited about your bookmarks.
As for me, Blogging and exercising has helped me keep calm. I do enjoy being at home (#homebody over here!) But, I definitely miss being able to go out without the fear of being around people.
Much love always,
GABBY
Hahah homebodies unite!! I totally get you Gabby. It would be nice to be out without being scared again! Thank you so much girl, making art makes me feel super satisfied and takes up a lot of my day haha!
These are some great things to keep you busy and active during this lockdown. I have been working a lot in my blog and instagram. I have loved going for daily walks and appreciating my time outside more. I have loved lots of FaceTimes with family too
Daily walks are so refreshing!! These sound like great activities to keep you busy for a while xx
Girrrrrl!!! I feel you about staying sane. I have a hard time myself @___@. It is great that you finished your semester!!! I LOVE your art. It is so cute!!! It is great that you’re getting all of these great product ideas to make and bring out! Hopefully you will continue to get more sales :). Ooohoho I feel you about binge watching shoes. OMG!!! I haven’t watched One Piece in AGES! I LOVE We Bare Bears tho!! I try to incorporate some exercising but it is hard at home.
PS. MAPLESTORY OMG!!! Another one of my classic faves.
Wow the internet speed is not a joke!!! Glad you’ve been making vlogs!! I need to get on that train!! Been playing some COD hehe. Have a great weekend!
Nancy โฅ exquisitely.me
Ahhh you’re just the sweetest Nancy!! ๐ We Bare Bears is such a good show LOL I’m getting closer to the 2nd season! You should watch one piece and continue it, it gets so good! Working out at home is hard esp if you have stuff everywhere like I do. Hahah video games is a great time stealer ๐คฃ thanks for your support and always girly!
Woah! I can’t believe you’re all caught up on One Piece. It’s a series, I’ve only seen random episodes of because of how long it is. Sounds like you had a lot of great things to keep busy. I’ve been wanting to learn how to edit videos. I filmed a couple of videos, but have yet to edit them. I just don’t know where to start. While staying at home I didn’t play a lot of video games, but I did do a lot of craft projects.
I never thought I would be able to catch up to where the current episodes are for one piece but it was easy to get through all of them because it’s so good. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to edit videos using whatever program you’re interested in using and I kind of just jumped in! It’s pretty fun once you get into it. Crafting projects are also fun and therapeutic though! Glad you got to spend time doing that. ๐ฅฐ
Ugh I’m def going stir crazy at home – i hate that i cannot go to a library or cafe to do work or clear my head. But i understand that staying home was necessary to keep everyone safe & healthy!
Girl, I would LOVE to see some of your characters as enamel pins!! I’m not sure if you use Shopify or Woo Commerce, but I know that Shopify has partners that allow certain objects (like hats, clothing, bags, etc) to be customized without having to invest in purchasing stock.
On the exercise front, I’ve started doing videos from ‘Yoga with Adriene’ at night and they are so incredibly calming! But like you mentioned, I’m so happy the weather is getting better and that things are slowly starting to open up. outdoor walks have been lifesavers during the last couple weeks!
Ugh the struggle is real!! Things are starting to open up here in New Jersey but I still feel mentally unprepared and apprehensive about going out. I wish things were the way it was before the virus came! I’m thrilled at the thought of turning my art into pins!! I hope I’ll get there one day! That sounds like a good feature to have – I use woocommerce so unfortunately I have to do without! I’ll have to look up that video, def wanna start doing more yoga at night cuz I’m pretty sure it helps many with their sleep!
Great tips! Definitely have been binging so many ore shows these days than any other time in my life. You got caught up on One Piece?? Wow! I’ve always been rather intimidated by its sheer number of episodes so that’s quite the feat!
Thank you so much! It’s been rather fun keeping busy! It’s scary when you look at the numbers but each episode is honestly only 15 minutes each because the intro and ending and recaps take so long so it’s easy to get through!! You won’t regret watching it, it gets so good!