G’day my friends! Welcome to a reformatted version of my newsletter brought to you from the trenches of quarantine. How has everyone been? I go through a different round of emotions each day but for the most part, I’ve really been enjoying this social isolation. Obviously, I acknowledge the level of privilege I have to be able to WFH in the comforts of my familial home. I was feeling quite guilty about it, that is, until both of the therapists I spoke to last week encouraged me to look at everything through a lens of gratitude rather than guilt.
In college Alejandro and Christian always talked about the notion of “construction mode.” A period of time in which they would ghost me (and everyone) for a few weeks in order to get their shit together. I always wanted to partake, but a busy social calendar and extreme FOMO prevented me from ever dedicating that much time to myself. Thankfully, time has ceased to exist because of ‘rona and I too am under construction. This means I’m finally doing the things I always said I was “too busy” to do — learning how to cook, reading multiple books a week, HIIT workouts, crocheting, organizing my Spotify playlists. At the same time, I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not required to be productive in the midst of a pandemic. I’ve been taking my emotional temperature in the mornings — some days are for accomplishing it all and some days are for panicking and tik tok. Newton may have discovered gravity when he was trapped at home, but I have learned how to air fry broccoli and that’s enough for me.
I’ve also been spending a concerning amount of time reflecting and unpacking. Mulling over the question “who am I when stripped bare of everything I held dear?” Without the friends, social events, boutique fitness classes or vacations what is left? Am I proud of the person I am when no one is around? When am I the happiest? What was not serving me? It’s amazing how much you can uncover when you allow yourself to sit with your feelings rather than push them away. While I miss the way things were it’s nice to know how quickly we are able to adapt to “new normals.”
Getting Me Through This
House Party: A video chatting app and chrome extension that mimics the feeling one gets at Nomad on Friday nights.
Marco Polo: Another great app for staying in touch with friends who are “too busy” to schedule facetime hangouts. Some would argue that it’s just Snapchat, but I would say that they’re wrong.
Netflix Party: This chrome extension makes it possible to virtually watch movies with friends.
Forward__Space Digital Dance Parties: These classes are single-handedly getting me through this time period. My body needs the 20-minute serotonin and energy boost. Trust me, you will feel so much happier afterward.
Barry’s HIIT Workouts: I honestly never thought I would be someone who enjoyed at-home workouts, but these Barry’s classes are quick and fun. I used to wonder if I only worked out because I was hyper fixated on my appearance.. but guess what! No one can see me anymore and I’m still just as vain!
Coursera: I’m currently enrolled in Yale’s free course on The Science of Well Being. I would recommend it because A) low time commitment B) why not C) you’ll feel smarter than you really are.
Join Real: This New York startup is offering free digital check in’s with licensed therapists along with group salons. I had my Zoom session last week and together we created a quarantine self-care plan.
Powerpoint Parties: My friends and I have been creating slideshows on topics we are passionate about then presenting them on Zoom. I can’t wait to host one in real life when all of this is over.
Hoopla: Free Ebooks thanks to your local public library. If you don’t already have an account you can easily make one here.
FYP
If you want to read my new favorite book: “The Most Fun We Ever Had” by Claire Lombardo
If you want to read something glamorous: Both “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid are tied for second place.
If you want to laugh so hard you susu: “Trying to Understand Drake’s House” by The Cut
If you want your ‘rona feelings explained: “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief” by Harvard Business Review
Material Items to Fill the Void
Air Fryer: You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become a master chef. This was the best purchase I’ve made in 2020. I feel too powerful.
Elderberry Syrup: Good for your immune system AND it tastes good.
Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Candle: If you close your eyes this scent will transport you to a bougie upscale hotel in Los Angeles.
Outdoor Voices Leggings: The OV tech sweat leggings are far comfier than Lululemon’s Align leggings. I wish someone had informed me about this earlier in life.
Amazon Affiliate links were used to help me earn a few measly dollars here and there.