Warning: you may find yourself wanting to do ALL of them
3-5 min read
I feel you, smarty femme. You’ve been sheltering-in-place and you’re so over being at home all. the. time. COVID-19 has been lingering a little bit longer than we’d all hoped for.
I really hope you’re hanging in there, though. Really, take the time to do what you need to do to feel okay. My friends and I have realized that texting can only do so much, but calling or FaceTiming each other does amazing things for the soul. It also helps to release some steam from time to time.
Call your friend, call your mom, or even call your Aunt Deborah whom you haven’t seen in 2 years due to some twisted family drama. Kidding, I probably wouldn’t recommend the last one.
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During this quarantine season, I’ve realized that I’ve been doing several things just plainwrong this entire time. Chances are that you’ve been doing them too. We might’ve been doing them unintentionally, since some habits form naturally over time. Not all habits are good, sadly.
We need to acknowledge, understand, and proceed to change our bad habits. Or, do we just need a vacation? Let’s unlock our full potential, us smarty femmes!
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Below are things I’ve been doing wrong during quarantine:
1. Not Taking Enough Breaks
It’s so easy to plop down at your desk (mine is a makeshift desk, aka the dining table) and be glued to it for the entire day. With the exception of going to the bathroom and making some food, I find myself staying in one location for most of the day. We really need to make a conscious effort to get away from our desk, although it can be difficult at times.
Here are some things to try out:
Set your water bottle away from your current location so you can get some steps in.
Commit to eating breakfast, lunch and dinner away from your desk. If you eat away from the desk, it can help you be more mindful of what you’re actually eating. Your brain deserves a break too!
2. Not Making Time for Yourself
I admit that I can be a bit of a workaholic. My friends and family jokingly say that I’m a “robot”, given my strict regimen and schedule. I, on the other hand, prefer to use the word disciplined. I like to make a schedule and I try my best to stick to it. Mind over matter, amirite?
Jokes aside, I do find myself working more during quarantine season. I’ve had more time and I’ve been doing things I love, but I haven’t found any time to relax. I’ve been juggling work, my YouTube vlogs, The Smarty Femme (Click the Follow button on the top right-hand side (desktop) or bottom right-hand side (mobile) to follow my blog), and studying for my exam scheduled on Monday, which I just found out it’s still happening!
If you haven’t found time to relax, you may need to schedule at least an hour every week to relax and take care of yourself. You can invest in some new skincare products, play a fun board game, or do some relaxing yoga. TSF Tip: Try using essential oils in your yoga practice to awaken your senses! Manage the stress you have to become a better you, you smarty femme.
3. Not Getting Enough Fresh Air
It can be hard to motivate yourself to put on some real clothes, other than your cozy pajamas, and get some fresh air outside. We need to consciously remind ourselves to go outside and get some fresh air, even if that means just stepping out to our backyard or balcony (if we have one).
Getting some sunlight is important, too. It feels so good to have the warmth of the sunlight on your skin! I also find that I’m a lot happier when I get some sun. Is my true Californian self coming out?
4. Not Having a Clean Space
I usually clean our place once a week, but I find that things have been taking a turn for the worse. Dishes pile up, dust starts to collect, and hair seems to always collect on the bathroom floor (ugh). Given that we’re home a lot more than usual, this seems to make sense.
Instead of cleaning once a week, you may find myself needing to clean 2-3 times a week. This means vacuuming, wiping down counters, and mopping the floor more often. They’re probably not your favorite chores in the world, but they’re so essential.
5. Not Eating Enough Healthy Food
Being at home all the time makes me reach for comfort foods. These include homemade mac and cheese, toast with Nutella, grilled cheese, pita bread, Lucky Charms cereal, Tate’s chocolate chip cookies (which I just bought four of – they’re so good!), and the list goes on. Clearly, I love my carbs and sweets.
Since we’re now staying at home for likely another month, we may not be getting enough exercise. It makes it even more important to eat healthier foods. While “treats” every once in a while are good for the soul, make sure you fill your plate up with a healthy dose of veggies and protein. Also, check to see if you’re drinking enough water. Try to aim for 8 cups of water a day to stay hydrated!
Hope these tips can help you release your inner smarty femme. Cheers!
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Think about how life was before the quarantine. (I know, it’s been a while!) Didn’t you look forward to date nights where you did fun things together with your SO or spouse? After being in quarantine together with my husband for the past month, I realized that it’s time to make our own date nights at home!
If you live with your spouse, you’re now seeing them all the time, 24/7. You probably feel that you spend more time together, but how much of that time is true quality time?
If you’re dating, it gets more challenging to spend quality time with each other. You might not be in the same place together, and I’m sure you quickly realize that FaceTime can only do so much.
TSF TIP:
Take Turns Surprising Each Other with Date Nights
Pick two dates in the month to set aside for date nights. The first date will be a date that you plan, and the second date will be a date that your spouse plans.
It’s a win-win situation: you can get excited planning a date and you can look forward to the date your spouse or SO is planning!
When we were dating, my now-husband would send me hints throughout the week before our date, and I would try so hard to guess what the date was going to be. You can also incorporate this by dropping hints throughout the week before a date. A bit of mystery is always fun!
Below are quarantine date ideas that you’ll actually want to do. You can do most of them virtually, too!
1. Have a couples’ spa night
Approx. length of time: 45 mins – 1.5 hours
After a long week, it’s time for some R&R. I recommend lighting a few candles and playing a relaxing playlist (think chill jazz) to set the mood. If you change into plush bathrobes, you’ll feel the “spa vibe” in no time!
Select your favorite face mask to use. I love this mud mask since it really helps detox your skin and this moisturizing mask since it makes your face feel like baby skin. Feel free to take a few photos together to commemorate your date night.
If you’d like, you can give each other massages with massage oil to truly make it a spa experience. You’ll definitely feel super relaxed after this date!
2. Dress up & have an elegant dinner
Approx. length of time: 1.5 – 2 hours
If you miss going out to restaurants, have an elegant dinner at home. You can either cook your meal yourself (here are a few ideas) or order from a local restaurant (if they are open). Properly set up the dining table with your fancy silverware that you haven’t used since last year.
To create the ambience, feel free to to dress up like you’re going to eat at an actual restaurant. Lose those sweatpants and wear a nice outfit! After the dinner, head over to your living room couch to watch a movie. Props to you if you make your own DIY popcorn. A classic dinner and movie date never disappoints.
3. Recreate popular TikToks
Approx. length of time: 30 mins – 1 hour
Devote an hour or two of your Friday night to recreate popular TikToks and do some TikTok challenges. It may not be something that you’re normally used to do (or, it’s 100% something you’re totally into), but it gets the two of you off the couch!
After you download the app, try searching the following to let your creative juices flow:
Flip the Switch Challenge
Q&A Couples Challenge
You Can Really Dance Challenge
The Finger Challenge
4. Eating s’mores inside a cozy makeshift fort
Approx. length of time: 30 mins – 1 hour
This is a childhood classic that never gets old! I used to love doing this when I was younger. I had pretend tea time (cups filled with apple juice) in the fort with my stuffed animals (perks of being an only child).
Grab your large, cozy blanket and throw it over a couple of chairs to make a fort. You can add blankets and pillows to make the space inside the fort more comfortable. You don’t need a campfire to make s’mores – here’s an easy sheet pan s’mores recipe that you can do.
5. Write handwritten notes to each other
Approx. length of time: 20 – 30 mins
If you live together, you can write cute sayings on Post-It notes and hide them throughout the house! I recommend putting them in places that you know the other person will easily find. It’s a sweet gesture that’ll bring a smile on the other person’s face.
If you don’t live together, you can write handwritten notes to each other and mail them to each other. There’s definitely something special about receiving a handwritten note. It doesn’t take too much time to write a note, but is more meaningful than sending a text. Bonus points if you use cursive!
When we were dating, my husband and I would send each other postcards while we were traveling, whether for vacation or work. We both enjoyed receiving postcards in the mail. I must admit, some postcards actually came after we arrived back from our trip!
Hope you can incorporate these ideas for your next quarantine date night! Let me know in the comments which ones you’ll be trying.
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The Smarty Femme 