Tag Archives: quarantine

May9

May 2020 Funky Time Jams

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May 2020 Funky Time Jams

Hi! We’re just truckin’ along through May and, I’ve gotta tell you, I’m so not feeling it. Lol, I am so physically and mentally exhausted and I could definitely use a day off. But, alas, here I am writing extra early before work so I still get there on time! I guess it’s okay, though. So much of my day is spent being unproductive that sometimes (But not all the times!) it feels good to immerse myself in a day’s work.

An early morning, followed by a long day of work, followed by a long day of quarantine certainly requires the perfect soundtrack and this is what I have been bumping:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJTJNfzvr8

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

Nine times out of ten, I leave the house for work feeling blah so I depend on my car ride jams to give me the pick me up I need to be at one hundred percent by the time I get to my client’s front door. Sometimes this will be me playing my favorites on my iPod or I’ll scroll through the radio until I land on something good.

My most recent fave, though? Probably The Weeknd! My boyfriend and I just recently watched the Saturday Night Live that he performed on and I had no idea “Blinding Lights” was one of his songs until he played it. That has been my friggen JAM on the radio and it put me down a Weeknd worm hole that I am so okay with.

Somewhat random, but I have also been playing “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison constantly. My client and I heard it when we were listening to the radio and I totally forgot how much I love that song until I heard it again. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with The Rolling Stones so if you haven’t checked out their latest “Living In A Ghost Town”, do be sure to check it out!

What are some of your quarantine jams? What do you like to listen to to hype you up for work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Can You Plan Home Improvements In Quarantine?

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Can You Plan Home Improvements In Quarantine?

Observing quarantine conditions means that we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home than usual lately. So it’s only natural that we begin to think about how we’d like to improve our homes, making them more suited to our lifestyles or individual tastes. In fact, planning a home improvement project is a brilliant way to pass the time in lock down. The work you plan can be quite simple, but sometimes small things make a big difference:

Declutter Your Space:

One of the simplest but most impactful things to do is to use the time in quarantine to have a major declutter. Being inside for a long time can make us feel cooped up, so creating more space by streamlining our possessions is a great remedy. Tackle those black holes of clutter like the basement, the loft, the cupboard under the stairs, and your closet. You can even look into techniques like the KonMari method if you want to find a new way to organize your belongings. Similarly, the current situation has made a lot of us think more about nature and how we can live more sustainable lifestyles – so if you want to look into becoming more minimalist, now might be a great time for it.

Tackle Essential Maintenance:

We all want our homes looking and performing at their best for when we are allowed to welcome friends and family round again. So the current downtime is a great chance to make sure all of those home maintenance jobs are in order. Simple things such as servicing your air conditioning system, repainting decking and patio furniture, power washing the exterior of your home and your drive, and adding some colorful planters are all simple things which can both improve the appearance of your home and stop small issues from turning into larger, costlier ones further down the line. It can be hard to find the time for these jobs when you’re going to work and have social commitments, so tick them off your to-do list now.

Repair or replace your roof:

Many homeowners often contemplate whether to repair or completely replace their roofs when remodeling their homes. If you are more budget-conscious it’s best to make small repairs to any damage you spot on your roof. This way, a minor repair can potentially be achieved during quarantine without the aid of experts. However, if you live in a much older home with larger damage to the roof, consider having your roofing replaced entirely. Bear in mind that sometimes, even minor issues may be an indication of a much bigger problem. If you’re not sure of the best way to proceed, there are many companies like Roof Doctors ready to identify and diagnose any concerning roofing issues that could cause damage to your home.

Switch Up The Layout:

If the layout of your home no longer suits your lifestyle, then it’s an ideal time to think about switching it up. Sometimes you can make a big difference just by repurposing items of furniture that you already have or moving them around your home. Or you could even repaint and replace handles to give an item a whole new look. In this way, you can often find better uses of your existing space, especially if combined with a declutter.

You may find that you need a more drastic change, one which involves handing over to construction staff to remove internal walls or add an extension. The project may have to wait until lock down conditions ease, but it’s definitely a good time to start sourcing quotes for the cost of the work and mapping out what you could do – home improvement boards on Pinterest are always great to get inspired and see what might be possible.

Add Textures:

Sometimes, it’s the small things that you do to a space that can make a big difference in how you see it. If you’re a little limited in the budget, then it’s worth looking at changing some of your soft furnishings, like a good rug, for example, that can sit in your living room or a throw styled nicely on your bed. These little touches can help give your space more character and can give it that refresh it needs whilst spending time in quarantine. You could also switch out your curtains or drapes for something different, whether it’s a new color or style. Drapery Rods Direct is a good place to start and can help add a burst of color to the room in general.

Use your extra time at home to remodel, declutter, and repair as you see fit!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May6

Reducing Anxiety During Lock Down

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Reducing Anxiety During Lock Down

For many people, the experience of being in lock down is something that might be negatively affecting their mental health in a number of ways. One of the most common experiences that people are reporting here is anxiety, which is an understandable reaction to being made to stay at home during a pandemic for an undefined amount of time. But no matter how bad your anxiety might get, the truth about this feeling is that it is manageable – even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In this post, we’ll look at some great practical management tips for your lock down anxiety:

Practice Good Breathing:

If you don’t generally think much about what your breath is doing, you will find that simply stopping to pay attention to it every now and then is really going to help. But you need to be doing it quite a lot as a standard thing, so that you are not just relying on your breathing skills once you are in the midst of anxiety and really need it. Conscious breathing throughout the day is linked to a much lower incidence of anxiety, and it also gives you a useful tool to use when it strikes, so make sure that you are using this in your life as soon as possible.

Try Alternative Medicines:

Although you generally need to be careful about which medicines you try and what alternatives you go for, there are some which are likely to be particularly useful at pretty much any time, and which you might want to think about utilizing in your own life if you are struggling with anxiety. For instance, the use of CBD oil has been known to help many people with anxiety, and that’s why it’s so popular at the moment. But be careful: make sure you know the difference between hemp oil vs CBD oil and that you are using it sensibly when you do so.

Focus On The Present:

Anxiety lives in the future, or sometimes even in the past – but never in the present. If you are finding your mind going haywire with potential circumstances that might occur, you might find it useful to return your grounding to the present moment. Simply doing this and making a point of focusing on what is happening right here and now will help you to keep your anxiety at bay. You will find this to be an amazing tool when you are in the midst of anxiety, but also as a general practice to help manage it.

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Relieve Stress Regularly:

Finally, remember to try and relieve the body and mind of stress as regularly as you can. If you allow stress to build up, then you are going to find that it makes for a much more anxious life in general. Not to mention that you will probably suffer all sorts of physical problems too as a result of the cortisol flowing through you.

Use the tips above to help manage your anxiety more effectively today!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May6

Help Me Help You!

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Help Me Help You!

Hi friends! Now is the time to support the creative endeavors of our friends in the community more than ever. We’re talking our musicians, artists, cosmetologists, chefs, and everything in between. I love to feature guest posts on my page and, as always, you can email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com if you would like to be on lifewithlilred.

Now, I am asking for all of you to shoot me an email or drop your ventures in the comments so I can post it on my page! Etsy shop? Send it my way! SoundCloud link? I want it! Stay at home orders are still in tact but let’s get your online businesses on here so everyone can shop with you from the comfort of your home.

For example, my friend, Stephanie, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor and would like a shout out on lifewithlilred can have all of her info found here and here. Stephanie is an absolute joy and if you are struggling with all of the extreme changes happening right now, I can’t recommend her enough! ❤

What are some of your business ventures? Would you like them featured on lifewithlilred? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

Friendly Reminder!

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Friendly Reminder!

Hello! In Ohio, our stay at home order is still pretty well in place. Other than grocery stores and gas stations, the only things that have since opened up are doctors offices. But, in the meantime, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t support all of your favorite local businesses and artists. That’s right, we’re talking gift cards.

When the nonessential businesses closed, I reached out to all of my favorite hang outs of the tattoo shop and the hair and nail salon. It was important to me to try and help out all of the people who keep me beautiful as much as I can and if that meant paying early for the services I planned on getting anyway, I was happy to do it.

Unfortunately, in my area of Ohio, there are far more chain stores than anything locally owned. But, if that weren’t the case, trust and believe I would be getting gift cards to all of the cute boutiques too! Anything helps and if you are in a position to give a little more, then now is the time to do it. Believe me, the heartfelt thank yous make it two hundred fifty percent worth it! ❤

How have you been supporting the local businesses in your area? What have you been doing to help serve your community? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Stay Sane In Quarantine With These Hobby Ideas

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Stay Sane In Quarantine With These Hobby Ideas

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that we are living in scary times. This global pandemic has pushed most of the world into lock down and quarantine, and even when working from home, it’s pretty boring! You’re unable to see friends and family, and you can’t even bounce off of the fun of the office to feel better about things. Instead, you get the chance to sit, twiddle your thumbs, and wait for life to resume in some kind of normality.

The thing is, this is not how it works. It doesn’t work like that because you have to consider your mental health. You need to keep busy, and for that, you need a hobby. This is especially true if you are in quarantine alone. So, let’s take a look at some of the best hobbies you could take up to stay sane through these unprecedented and unnerving times:

Visit National Parks – Virtually:

You may be desperate for a change of scenery, but you cannot leave the house. So, you need to get out virtually, instead. Make the use of your WiFi and get online to national parks and glaciers. You’ll be able to travel the world and view national parks without having to leave the house. Sure, it’s not quite the same, but it’s going to take the mystery out of the world you can’t explore properly!

Enjoy Puzzles:

You need to exercise the mind to keep the brain busy, and that starts with a PennyDell Puzzles crossword puzzle subscription. Puzzles are going to help you to keep your mind sharp and teach you new things. It’s also going to give you the chance to enjoy something in this quarantine that will continue long after.

YouTube Art Classes:

Did you know that there are drawing tutorials on YouTube? Most people aren’t aware of them and yet there they are, ready and waiting for you to learn from them. You may not be much of a drawer, or you may be an artist that requires a brush up on skills. Either way, drawing tutorials on YouTube are going to help you to hone your skills. If you are interested in learning a new hobby on YouTube, you will certainly want access to all of the content across the platform. A youtube vpn service can assist with that so you can always find the best creator that speaks to you.

Concert Films:

The musicians out there are going to love the chance to enjoy available concert films like these online. You can choose to go through the entire Netflix collection, of course, but consider branching out a little. Concert films and other musical elements are going to be the most fun option for you in quarantine!

Learn To Bake:

While the shops are selling out of basic baking ingredients, you can still learn to bake with any number of online video tutorials. You can also learn how to cook elaborate recipes that you can batch and freeze for later. It’s so important that you choose a course that inspires you, whether that’s lunch or cakes you want to bake.

Hobbies are important to help keep you sane right now so try some of the tips above while you’re stuck at home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May3

Fine Dining At Home

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Fine Dining At Home

Hi! With Ohio’s stay at home order still in place, Johnny and I have been eating at home nine times out of ten. Don’t get me wrong, we still enjoy the occasional Taco Bell but, for now, it just feels easier and safer to do our cooking at home. For the most part, we’re fine with the basics of grilled cheese, pasta, and oven pizza. Lol, but sometimes people need a little bit more. So, may I present the mac n cheese pizza?

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When Johnny and I first started dating, he created a mac n cheese pizza that was ready for when I arrived home from work. It was basically the sweetest and most delicious thing ever and it has since become one of our favorite “treat yoself” meals. Ready for all the carbs? Just follow this simple recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 Oven pizza of your choosing
  • 1 box or packet of mac n cheese of your choosing
  • Shredded mozzarella to sprinkle on top

Directions:

  1. Make the box of mac n cheese. About halfway through, start preheating the oven for your pizza.
  2. Once the mac n cheese is done and the oven is preheated, cover the top of the pizza with a layer of the cheesy goodness. Then, sprinkle the extra mozzarella on top.
  3. Cook your masterpiece and enjoy!

Is the mac n cheese pizza the finest of quarantine delicacies? Probably. And, it always goes down smooth at chez moi. Give it a try and watch your life change for the better.

What is your favorite crazy food creation that you’ve made? What is your favorite pizza topping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May1

Special Delivery

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Special Delivery

Hello! For those of you who don’t know, I am an independent provider and work with people with special needs. The services provided through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities are considered essential and I have still been going to work Monday through Friday. Going to work has now consisted of just staying at each client’s home instead of getting them out and about in the community. And, no matter where I am, I’m still just as bored as if I was in my apartment. Lol, we all are!

I am sure many providers have said the same thing. I mean, there’s only so many movies you can watch, games you can play, and crafts you can complete until there is literally nothing left. So, my county’s board of Developmental Disabilities held a donation drive to help provide us with some new activities for our clients.

Last week, a reusable bag full of goodies was left on my parent’s porch. When I opened in up, I was so surprised to see all of the following:

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Something new is always exciting and I’m looking forward to sharing all of these treats with my clients. There seems to be something for everyone I work with in my care package and I am so thankful for such a generous and thoughtful gift. I definitely feel a new found pep in my step when it comes to going to work. Because, let’s be honest, I think everyone who is still working right now doesn’t really want to! But, I just know I’ll have some great days on the job ahead and that is a wonderful change of pace! 🙂

How are you helping your community during this crazy time? What helps keep you occupied at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr28

Making The Most Of Spring When You’re Stuck Indoors

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Making The Most Of Spring When You’re Stuck Indoors

Hello! In an effort to keep everyone occupied, I have offered guest blogging opportunities on lifewithlilred during the lock down. Not only is it interesting and fun to hear from people all around the world but it also is a huge favor to me to keep content coming when there’s not much to write about!

In today’s post, you can find plenty of great tips to get you in touch with nature from your home from my friend, Helen, at The Feminist Gadabout. Her page is a wonderful treasure trove of cool content so do be sure to give it some love. Now, let’s get to it:

Making The Most Of Spring When You’re Stuck Indoors

With many of us around the world stuck indoors, the usually cheerful season of spring has taken on a frustrating note as we are unable to get outside and enjoy it. It is vitally important that we follow government advice about physical distancing, and do our best to avoid unnecessary contact with other people. But that doesn’t mean that we have to completely miss out on the joys of the season! Here are just a few ideas for how to make the most of spring, without having to leave your house:

Nature webcams:

Now is a time to take advantage of everything modern technology has to offer. From HouseParty to Zoom, we’re all even more reliant on our devices, and internet speed, than we were before. If you feel you’re missing out on your usual dose of nature because of the lock down, webcams are here to help! There are hundreds of different nature webcams to choose from all over the world. Yellowstone National Park, for instance, has its own full set of webcams, offering views of the Old Faithful Geyser, Mount Washburn, and Yellowstone Lake.

These are a great way to watch spring emerging in one of the US’s most stunning natural locations. For a close look at wildlife you can head over to the Explore website, where you can see everything from eagle chicks growing up in Iowa to a hummingbird nest in California. These cute little birds make remarkable parents! Watching nature go about its day is a nice way to feel in touch with the wild, even if you can’t get out in it.

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Grow Something:

Spring is the season of sprouting shoots and new leaves. Even if you don’t have access to a garden, you can still get in on the action. All you need is a bit of soil and a few dishes.  You can even use old toilet paper rolls or egg boxes to make pots! Growing plants from seeds is hugely therapeutic. It is a wonderfully positive reminder of the steady progress of life and the seasons when you see your first baby plants poking up through the compost. There are thousands of plants to choose from, but herbs like basil and cilantro are fun (and edible!) places to start. If you’re looking to add a little color to your indoor life, go for miniature sunflowers or sweet peas. Watching your little pants grow is enormously satisfying, and will provide you with interest for months to come.

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Nature Diary:

Lots of wildlife charities host annual animal and bird counts. All you have to do is note down what birds, animals, and sometimes butterflies and moths, you see in your local area in a given period. Having year-on-year information is really helpful for scientists and organizations tracking wildlife populations and the impact of human activity. You may think you’ll be left out of this is you live in an urban area, but it can be just as useful to know what creatures are thriving in our cities as in our countryside.

Sit out in the garden or at your window and take some time to chill out and watch the world – and all of its creatures – go by.  This is a great one to do with kids, as it offers a chance to teach them as you go. My grandfather used to tell me about the names and habits of all of the different birds, and gave me knowledge that I still cherish to this day.  So take a look at what your local groups are offering, and get involved! You may be surprised by the biodiversity of your area, and with spring progressing you’re sure to spot some cute baby birds and critters.

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Celebrate your personal growth:

Spring is all about renewal and rebirth. You don’t just have to turn to nature to get into this spirit. Spring offers an opportunity to look back and appreciate how far we’ve come, and think about where we want to go next. Why not try something as simple as taking a selfie of your lock down hairstyle, grow-out and all? Think about all you’ve managed to achieve, and thank yourself for your fortitude and perseverance. This is going to be a tough year for all of us, so why not indulge in a little springtime self-love, and take a moment to appreciate and celebrate yourself. We all deserve to be kind to ourselves, now more than ever.

Get Crafting:

Spring is a singularly creative season. The world is bursting with newness, all waiting to inspire you. Whether you craft all the time or rarely pick up a paintbrush, spring is a season for starting projects, and having a go at something new. There are lots of simple crafts, from origami and painting to crochet, which are easy to learn and require minimal equipment. The satisfaction of creating something new that you can proudly display in your home is its own reward, and you’ll also have mastered a new skill!

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What are you doing to keep busy and happy during these indoors spring days? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Helen runs The Feminist Gadabout, a culture, lifestyle, and travel blog that looks at the world through the lens of social awareness. It covers everything from product, film and book reviews, to social justice long-reads and travel recommendations. With the new indoor life tag there’s also plenty of material to help you stay healthy and happy indoors during lock down.

Thanks again to Helen of The Feminist Gadabout! If you are interested in guest posting on lifewithlilred, please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !

Apr27

Taking Advantage Of The Internet In Self-Isolation

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Taking Advantage Of The Internet In Self-Isolation

Hello! Thank god for the internet while we’re all hunkered down at home, amiright? Personally, I would be going crazy without my access to social media and all of the entertainment streaming services that Johnny and I have. The internet is a wonderful tool to help fight the boredom blues and, amidst the stay at home orders, it is now being used for a lot more than aimlessly scrolling through Facebook. Bored? Try some of the following:

Take A Class:

Right now, there are so many free courses being offered online from reputable colleges to teachers hosting Zoom lectures. I have even seen that Yale is offering free admission to their course entitled “Happiness” or something of the like. I, myself, have been participating in an online American Sign Language class being taught via Zoom and have been having a blast. It feels great to learn something new and you can’t beat free!

Streaming:

Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and iTunes provide endless new shows, short films, and movies that you can watch from the comfort of your home. Lying on the couch, in bed, or relaxing on your patio requires entertainment; therefore, a good internet connection is necessary. Making the internet as effective as possible in your home can go a long way toward relieving your boredom. Take advantage of the cox internet with a high speed, and you may not buffer even when you connect different devices.

Tour A Museum:

In the mood to travel? How about taking a virtual trip to one of the many museums offering tours online. Play some classical music, enjoy a glass of wine, and get a taste of the finer things as you admire art from around the world. Take a look and get inspired and then, who knows? Maybe you’ll be creating your own masterpieces afterwards.

Watch A Play:

Many theaters and opera houses are offering online streaming of their shows. I have seen advertising from everything from theaters in New York City to the Paris Opera House virtually opening their doors to the bored general public. I would love to watch a few operas in my free time and I am interested in checking out a viewing of the Phantom Of The Opera which I have seen advertised all over Facebook. So cool!

Connect With Friends:

Who says getting online has to be all about learning? Of course, connecting with friends is a given on social media. But, how about scheduling a chat over Zoom? You could play trivia, watch a show all together, have a paint night, or participate in a happy hour drink. Yes, it’s fun to catch up but actually doing an activity together will be a nice reminder of old times and could be a new weekly tradition to look forward to until real life meetings can happen.

Start A Club:

If you are trying to connect with like minded individuals, try hosting a virtual club. You could form a group based around anything from books and writing to movies and art. Schedule a weekly Zoom meeting to discuss the latest few chapters or the cliffhanger in the TV series you’re watching together. Intelligent conversations always perk me up when being plopped in front of the TV is the norm and everyone can benefit from that!

So many resources have made the internet even better than it already is during the coronavirus panic and these ideas are sure to entertain during those times when it feels like there is “nothing to do”. Enjoy!

Have you been doing anything similar to the tips above? How have you been using the internet to your advantage right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah