Staying at home is the right thing to do right now but what are Ways To Stay Positive? Here’s what’s working for me, family and friends.
Staying Positive While Staying Home
1. Get Some Exercise
Take a walk or run if you can. I take Chief out for a walk in the morning and Howard and I are taking an additional walk before dinner. Below is a photo from a hike in L.A. that our son sent us.
Work on your core. Doing “planks” doesn’t require extra equipment. Here are more core workouts.
2. Limit The News
Don’t make the mistake of leaving the news on all day. That will make your environment stressful. Limit it to an hour or so in the morning or evening. Play music and light a candle or diffuser.
3. Get Dressed And Put On A Little Makeup
Yesterday, I stayed in workout clothes all day…no makeup and finally took a shower before bed. Today, I feel happier dressed comfortably and with a bit of makeup and perfume even though I’m “sheltering in place.”
4. Move Around While Working From Home
Change locations at home if you can. With my laptop, I move from my office to the living room. My husband alternates between the dining room table and the desk area in our bedroom.
5. Be Kind
We had to cancel our trip to Tenessee (and Dollywood) to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 90th birthday. We could have lost our deposit with Smokey Mountain Vacation Cabins but they gave us a full refund and this message: “This is a very difficult time for all, but the most important thing, we always strive to give our guests a happy experience, even under difficult circumstances. Your mom’s and your family’s health is first and foremost.” ~Soley & Grace
From Sheila Pierce’s blog post she quotes the words of Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky:
“Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”
6. Books
Explore the books you already own. I have lots of design and cookbooks that I’d love to peruse with a cup of tea. And I found some good classics on our shelves that I could crack open. Do you have books that you haven’t looked at in a while?
7. Organize
Control what you can by organizing…I’m just doing a drawer a day. I’ve only done my jewelry, my underwear, and scarf/belt drawers so far. But it’s so pleasant opening those! In fact, Nordstrom is having a sitewide sale so now is the time to buy new underwear. I like this comfortable Natori bra.
I try to keep my closet fairly edited…but I want to try Allison Bornstein’s Five-Step System.
8. Stay In Touch
Telephone a few people every day…hearing a loved one’s voice is positive energy. Thank you, Janice, for calling this morning–it made my day 🙂
Cindy, Annie and I have conference calls. It’s easy with an iPhone…you just press “merge calls.” We were discussing if we should still have Project Design: Spring Brunch planned for in two weeks. Since we have gotten comments that blogs are a positive diversion…we will keep it on the schedule but in the context of our situation.
We have received some funny texts like:
9. Decorate Your “Shelter In Place”
How about re-doing your bookshelves? Step By Step BOOKSHELF Styling Tips Before and After and Project Design: Easy Steps to Style Your Shelves.
or Seven Valuable DECORATOR STYLING Tips
Those are nine ways to stay positive. What are some of yours?
Don’t forget to read Reinventing Closets: Beverage Center And Powder Room in case you missed it!
Stay well!
Mary Ann
Leslie Harris says
Aw…which one of these includes the glass of red wine? Hahaha
I love all these and especially the beautiful pictures too.
Sending love 🙂
Carmelee says
Thank you so much for keeping up with the blog and the timely content. Good tips.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Carmelee!!! Means a lot to me.
holly says
Great ideas all! Will turn on Calm app and finally do the Erno Lazlo masque I have tucked away in the cupboard.
Be Well. Be Safe…xxoo
Gayle says
I do many of the things. I swim every a.m. at 7 for over an hour and then I stay at the pool and read or relax. I leave before others start to come. We live in Miami Beach in a high rise. In the afternoon folks start gathering. The family groups are ok, but lots of guests and illegal air BNB’s. The condos are very expensive so they sneak groups in to share costs. The residents are angry but how do you monitor. I think we need a policing person to check id’s, everyone in charge is afraid to “step on toes”.
But life is great, I make something look pretty every day. I cook, read and watch Netflix and Prime. I was thinking I could photo shelves and people critique😂😂😂🙏. Keep on posting.
Mary Ann Pickett says
That’s fantastic about the swimming, Gayle. Keep it up. I hope people stop gathering soon or we will never get out of this.
Sue says
Please take the Chinese cartoon off. It’s very offensive! Thank you!
Mary Ann Pickett says
OK, Sue, I will. But I got around 20 to 25 of those voicemails in Chinese so I just thought it was funny.
Pamela says
I loved your list and the spirit with which you delivered this post. The comments from your community are also uplifting right now. Like many, I’m finding walks and listening to music, limiting news (even online) instrumental for retaining sanity. I’ve also been using this time to repair little things around the house… Christmas ornaments, polish tarnished brass and silver, update the finish on little accessories that I didn’t like with spray paint, etc. The weather in the northeast has been mild, so as Cindy noted, getting outside and starting to putter in the yard will be increasingly therapeutic with the warmer days. I also find that even applying only tinted moisturizer and mascara are enough to make me feel better, too!
Thanks for the continued morale boosting🙌.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Pamela…that is about all the makeup I’m wearing too…and undereye concealer…scary without it. 🙂
Melinda says
I enjoyed a face mask while Alexa played the meditation channel. It wasn’t as nice as my facial I had to cancel this week, but it was relaxing.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Oh I have some facial masks…think I will do that today.
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
My list mostly mirrors your list, but the core work was welcome since I walk every day but tend to be neglecting my core, so I thank you. I have missed face to face visits over coffee with friends so one of my friends suggested we facetime. We have a date to do just that this Monday. (We facetime every week with our kids in Austin-we live in California).
I always enjoy my favorite blog friend’s posts and I agree, for me, it’s a very pleasant diversion to read about decor, fashion and such at this time. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
I like the idea of scheduling facetime!
Cathi says
I’m doing several of the things you listed: talking to friends and family daily, walking, cleaning/organizing, not keeping the tv on, etc I’ve also completed a 1000 piece puzzle, bought yarn and a crochet hook to give a go at making a dishcloth that I saw a tutorial on a blog (if you knew me you would find this very funny) and I got yeast at the grocery store to give making homemade bread a go! Evidently I’m going to be my grandmothers when I come to of this thing! 😂😁🧶🍞🍷
Mary Ann Pickett says
That is so funny, Cathi. Good luck with the dishcloth. Let me know how it turns out!
Jane says
I am doing all of your suggestions, plus I am a handmade cardmaker , so I am making and sending cards to send friends and family. Hope to make some for nursing homes new me.
Mary Ann Pickett says
What a wonderful idea, Jane!
Cheryl McDermitt says
Mary Ann, I couldn’t believe when I read your post that I have been doing all of these! I have been working from home since Tuesday. I have a compromised immune system so it isn’t even an option that I go into work. Working from home has actually been more relaxing and stress free! I have also been knitting, painting (both watercolor and rooms) and cooking healthy meals. I feel so much better being able to take a walk during the middle of the day and also in the afternoon! Stay safe and well!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Cheryl…you could have written this post!
BonitA Gillespie says
I like the idea of having some structure to your day. It’s still pretty cold up here in Alberta but the sun has been shining. I have been “following the sun” around the house. It gives me some variety so I’m not staring at the same walls all day. I’ve got a number of hobbies so it’s not too bad.
Mary Ann Pickett says
That’s a good idea to “follow the sun” Bonita!
LA CONTESSA says
NO BOMBS AND TANKS TO AVOID PEOPLE!
THIS IS A PIECE OF CAKE……………
WE CAN DO IT!
THANK YOU for your suggestions Mary Ann……….
I haven’t cleaned ONE THING!
DID DO LAUNDRY!
THINK I will be signing off from INSTAGRAM and BLOGS for the weekend!
Just enjoy whats around me.
Dressing and make up does HELP ones self esteem!
I have noticed with myself……..
XX
Linda Salazar says
All great suggestions Mary Ann…I read that too about limiting the news to one hour a day. I find upbeat music is a good substitute!
Luckily we gave up our gym membership years ago and have equipment at home and also we love walking our neighborhood. Lots of hills! My husband and I are heading out soon for an hour walk.
Watching the grandkids is a good distraction…we have another addition to the family, a 4 month baby boy. So right now it really requires two people to babysit. Luckily my daughter and her husband have plenty of family to help out! I don’t know how some people are managing with the schools closed.
This whole grocery store situation has really gotten out of hand. I am in pretty good shape except I shop for produce twice a week. Today it was pretty limited but I managed to get most of what I needed. My husband always offer to shop if I need him to. I think he likes to go so he can buy stuff I normally wouldn’t. :o) Ralphs also is limiting the amount of people in the store. Now if they could only keep people from hoarding groceries!
I have a really funny cartoon I will email you!
Stay healthy!
Linda
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for the cartoon, Linda!!
Judie Olivero says
Great minds think alike! I’m doing a lot of the things you’re doing: walking, reading, cleaning, talking on the phone with friends, cooking, eating and last, but, certainly not least, drinking wine! Great post! We can do this! Stay well.
Mary Ann Pickett says
You are right, Judie…we just need to support one another.
cindy says
My favorite and the best advice do not leave the news on all day! Waaaayyy to depressing! I don’t have any bookshelves so I won’t be doing that one, but so many great ideas. Get outside it does wonders for the mind, body and spirit!!
Gail says
Thank you Mary Ann, you always have great things to inspire us and they are especially useful this very strange time. We cancelled our vacation for next month on Balboa Island which I’ve been looking forward to for months. I walk 3 miles every morning and you are so right that getting dressed and putting on a bit of makeup really makes you feel so much better. Today I made a big pot of Italian Wedding Soup, one of our favorites and have cleaned out a couple drawers but need to do more. Stay well! XOXO
Lois says
I am practicing some of your recommendations already. I have to say that a long walk every day, helps me tremendously. I am in the at-risk group, due to age and a compromised immune system. Since I live by myself, the calls and emails from friends mean so much. Also, I love checking the blogs each day, and seeing what everyone else is doing. Thank you for all that you contribute. One of the areas where I am finding diversion is in the kitchen. I enjoy trying new recipes, so I am going through all of the ones I have torn out of magazines over the years, and trying a few of them. Music, books, flowers, my dog and a little wine, are all helping me get through this first phase.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I’m praying for you, Lois. We will get through this.
Nancy W says
So sweet of you to post this. All nine are great ideas. After reading your blog I exercised and it lifted my mood as know endorphins can. Next, I wrote supportive emails to several friends. Thank you for inspiring me.
One other activity we have enjoyed is cooking good, wholesome food to support our health.
Be well and thanks for your blog, today and every other day. It’s a bright spot in my day even when there is no fear of a pandemic.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Nancy for a wonderful message. I’m watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding… makes me want to cook Greek food! Take care.
Mary says
Walking my dog every morning has gotten us out into the fresh air and helped keep things feeling more normal.
Thanks for today’s post!
Nancy says
The first thing we do is limit the news. We read the Wall Street Journal, they don’t sensationalize, just state the facts. Listen to music, watch lots Netflix, work in my garden. We take long walks on the beach, it is so calming and good for you.
Yes, a little 🍷helps too.
Robin says
Love these ideas, and appreciate the “normalcy” of a blog post. A reminder that we’re all connected. Phone calls, organizing, taking walks in nature have been helpful to me. Still a little stir crazy…but grateful for the goodness and kindness that tough times seem to bring out in everyone. I agree with Susan – wine helps too 🙂
Margaret Langenberg says
I have been re-visiting some of my books I have not read for a long time and reading blogs to bring a bit of happiness in. Limit the news to just checking for updates and closings. Staying in as much as possible. Before California went to sheltering was there a lot of hoarding. In Nebraska they cleaned out the toilet paper, paper towels, bandaids, pain medications (OTC) except Advil and twinkies and cookies, chips you name it. Nothing with any rhyme or reason to it. Was on the news last night that they are even stealing the toilet paper from the rest stops along the Interstate. So now those rest stops have to be locked down during hours no attendants are present. Some people can’t use common sense. And other people can’t get through to them we have to self-quarantine at home if exposed. I have a neighbor who is running all over the place and her brother was exposed and he is here and leave apartment door open. Come on people we all have to do what we can to stop the spread.
But this is what Nebraska top infectious disease Doctor has to say. Respiratory droplets can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel for days. Grocery store ventilation is similar to cruise ships so may or may not be safe for the one hour shopping set aside of immune compromised and elderly people to shop. Wipe down all grocery items with soap and water to break the coronavirus barriers and do the same with all deliveries. Stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, keep your vitamin D level up, wash your hands often, practice good social distancing, and above all use common sense.
Stay safe, keep your mental health healthy and pray this will be over sooner than later.
Mary Ann Pickett says
People are calming down here a bit. Howard just got back from the grocery store and he said they were limiting the number of people entering so that it was calm and organized. Now I’d better go wipe things down!
Karen laszcz says
Love all of these! I am practicing 2 of the nine, but promise to do better because you’ve inspired me. xo, Karen Laszcz
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, Karen…now I need to get busy with the exercise!!
Susan says
Number 10. Is alcohol an option? LOL 🙂
Mary Ann Pickett says
Ha! Howard is picking up some wine right now!