How are you? No, really. How are you dealing with the “new normal” of living through a pandemic? I hope you answered with, “I’m okay.” or “We’re hanging in there.” I wish you and your loved ones good health, safety, and security during these troubling times. As we get through this together, I wanted to share a list of ten things that have helped me cope during COVID-19:
Peloton: Those that know me well will be surprised to learn that I use my Peloton daily. It has been an escape and daily stress reliever during the pandemic—and quite the lifesaver! And it is not just the bike; the content includes outdoor programming, yoga, meditation, and family-friendly exercises. Peloton currently offers one month of free programming with its app; for $100 off of a bike, click here and use referral code NQNJH9.
Passion Planner: With a company value of “get one, give one,” this tool is so much more than a planner. It is how I organize my days, keep myself accountable, reach for goals, and journal feelings. In a world full of so much technology, it’s incredible to write down my thoughts and even be creative. Access an incredible library of free downloads here. If you’re looking for a digital tool for daily reflection, check out the Five-Minute Journal here.
Shutterfly: Staying closer to home has certainly lent itself to checking items off our to-do lists, including my goal to stay current with annual photo albums. I’ve enjoyed documenting memories and taking the time to appreciate life (even in COVID-land) through this process. Click here to start a free Shutterfly book of your own.
Reading: 2020’s new year’s intention was to read a non-fiction book each month. From Brené Brown’s Gifts of Imperfection to Seth Godin’s This is Marketing, I’ve liked getting out of my reading comfort zone to gain knowledge or hone my skills. (Now that it’s August, I’ve got five more books to check out this year. Any recommendations? Drop me a line!)
Streaming: It’s safe to say many of us are caught up on our favorite shows and then some. As an extrovert, I’m amazed at how much I now look forward to being home watching Netflix or Hulu—from nostalgic content like The Babysitters Club and Hallmark Channel-like Sweet Magnolias to edgier fare like Ozark and Spinning Out to favorites like Younger.
Tovala: Speaking of things to look forward to in the evenings, I now am pumped to fix dinner in this smart oven. It’s like a Blue Apron or Freshly service, except the healthy meal options are pre-prepared and convenient for my husband and me. Learn more about this high-tech kitchen essential here.
Happy Hours: Have you been on any great Zoom happy hours? I’ve been fortunate to experience both a virtual wine tasting from the vineyard and a bourbon mixology class. For an easy-to-plan networking event, consider shipping wine through a service like Winc to invitees, then hosting a virtual get-together to explore flavors.
Care Packages: This is a fun one: send friends, loved ones, and clients coronavirus care packages. I recently created a summer version complete with hand sanitizer, masked emoji cookies, Who Gives a Crap toilet paper, and a handwritten note. One of my clients responded with, “You are the BEST! Thank you so much for the gift basket.” Why not use this time to let your people know you care?
Hiking: I’ve always loved exploring far-off places, yet enjoying a hike through the great outdoors is a new joy for me. Did you know that America’s National Parks even have a passport program? Learn more here and hike to it!
Pool: What a refreshing pastime: ten feet of distance soaking up the sun! Add a chilled White Claw, and perfection!
As I bounced around the idea of this list, I wondered how I would position it. Would I send these ideas to friends only or post on my personal Facebook page? Then, I thought about my brand. My brand values are being open, fun, friendly…and to be helpful to my clients and community. In that vein, I share these ten coping mechanisms that I’ve relied on during the pandemic.
Personal? Yes. A bit different than my typical blogs? Certainly. Yet I hope these might spark some joy within your life and perhaps inspire something wonderful.