Survival Guide from a Cooped-Up Extrovert

I must admit I set out to write this article on Monday March 30 - the day Governor Northam announced we’d likely be spending another 70 days inside our homes. Until 3/30 I had convinced myself this quarantine would last 30 days max, that I was halfway through it, and handling everything just great. In those first 15 days I had allowed myself to be the opposite of who I know myself to be - I had taken up painting, I was on my third book, I was working very little, cleaning our house more, organizing my life, and pretty much staying clear of the Zoom chats and social-distancing interactions. I was treating this time as a “staycation” and embracing it.Well 3/30 hit me like a ton of bricks - the idea of my extrovert self spending 70 more days hiding in her home sent me into a minor melt down and kicked my rear back into gear! I am now determined to find the balance in quarantine motivation and relaxation - something I never thought I’d have to do. I have a dear friend who has said time and time again, “We must have something to look forward to every day or we’re not going to survive.” So, I thought I’d share my survival guide for the next 65 days. 

My front door that will soon be another color

• • Barre3 online workouts and/or working out every day.
• • Get 10,000 steps in every day.
• • Artistic indulgences supporting local - Helen Olivia’s virtual workshops, AR Workshops DIY kits, and Nicole Siefert’s Instagram live Painting Classes.
• • Furniture Painting - I picked up a supply kit from Boxwood and I’m going to change that ugly dresser I inherited from my grandmother. I ordered new pulls off Etsy and figured whatever I am doing cannot make it look worse.
• • Spruce up the curb appeal of our home. Mulch flower beds, plant flowers, weed, hang ferns on front porch, and repaint the front door.
• • Invade husband’s personal space by taking up golf (kind of) - I’ve been practicing my skills in the backyard.
• • Purging my closet - keeping good-quality and in-season items to take to Mint Condition.
• • Supporting Local, including Spring2Action. We’ve got a fun week of Zoom Calls, Barre Classes, Pizza take out, and virtual happy hours coming your way, all in support of Spring2Action. The charities we love need our help more than ever!