Ideas on What to Watch, Read and Do While in Self-Isolation
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Hey, hey, hey! How are we all doing? Anyone feeling a little crazy with all the news and alerts coming at you at the speed of light? I know, I’m feeling it a little as well but I’m working really hard on staying out of the firehouse of information. I get what I need then I’m out. No need to add anything to the Shit That Worries Me Pile.
So, what I”m doing instead is working on things like keeping up with my blog writing, reading and staying active, mentally and physically. I want to share in case you need some ideas.
What To Watch
Jamestown (Amazon Prime: Season 1 available through 3/31, Season 2 & 3 available for purchase)
This is a PBS show on Amazon Prime set in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. The town has been inhabited for 12 years by only men and women have finally traveled to the New World as wives to those who have paid their passage. The show is entertaining enough through its colorful characters as well as the trip back in time to see how life was for those hardy souls.
Poldark (Amazon Prime)
This is a series that is set in Cornwall, England in 1783 as Ross Poldark returns from America from the War of Independence. He finds his father has passed away, the family mine closed, the family home in shambles, and his longtime sweetheart engaged to his cousin. The series, which is five seasons long, takes you through the drama and turbulence of aristocratic England and all they will do to preserve their lifestyle.
The Durrells in Corfu (Amazon Prime)
This is a comedy-drama series set in the 1930s as a recently widowed mother of four decides to uproot her family to live on the Greek island of Corfu. It’s funny, endearing, and entertaining as the family goes through both trivial and tumultuous trials that bring both laughter and tears. An absolute delight!
Outlander (Starz app or Netflix)
This is a historical drama series based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, one of my favorite book series of al time. This TV adaptation is amazingly accurate and doesn’t skip much in its retelling. it is a time-travel story that starts in post-WWII England/Scotland and in 1743 Scotland. The action is non-stop and the characters will work their way into your heart just like they did in the book. I recommend using closed-captioning until you can wrap your ears around the thick Scottish brogue.
Our Planet (Documentary Series on Netflix)
These are incredibly produced shows that bring nature right into your living room. The quality of content is jaw-dropping, especially the episode that shows the behind the scenes of what these photographers and videographers do to capture nature in action. This is great for the whole family and quite mesmerizing. It may be just the thing you need right now to feel connected to the great big world when we can’t really get out there right now.
Miss Americana and Homecoming (Netflix)
You don’t have to be a fan of Taylor Swift or Beyonce to enjoy these documentaries. Both of these that take you behind what you see on screen to the real people who are creating the music of their hearts. They show the painstaking work that goes into producing albums as well as once in a lifetime performances. I’m a much bigger fan now that I’ve watched these and it’s not really even about the music but the artists themselves.
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)
This show. I love all the characters in this show along with the set, the costumes, and the dialogue is perfection. I’ve loved all three seasons and you’ll be in love from episode 1, I promise. Set in the 1950s and 60s, Midge Maisel goes from a typical housewife to a stand-up comic all while trying to navigate her role as a mother and daughter. Midge is a powerhouse character that you’ll be cheering for like she was one of your close girlfriends. (Sidenote: Susie, her manager, actually may be my favorite character.)
Locke and Key (Netflix)
This is one I have yet to watch but it’s on my list. We need something to watch as a family and think this will be a good one to keep us occupied. It’s about three siblings who move into their father’s ancestral estate after his murder. They find keys all around the house that open magical portals and the adventure begins. It’s listed as best for the 13+ crowd which fits our family.
What to Read
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott
This is one of my top five books of all time. This is a book of self-reflection essays written about topics like the middle years, sense of self, friendship, connection, home, work, and the creative life. I love her voice and truly felt like it was as if she wrote all the things I’ve pondered myself. She is witty and each essay is totally relatable on some level. I promise you’ll laugh, cry, and beg to be her best friend by the time you turn the last page.
Setting Free the Kites by Alex George
I’m currently in the middle of this one and love it so far. I loved his previous book, A Good American, so much and this one has sucked me in as well. He’s such a great storyteller and creates such memorable characters.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
I read this book a couple of months ago and it’s loaded with lots of great step by step advice to create long-term behavior change. It delivers visually as well as anecdotally so that you can relate to the concepts easily and begin to apply them right away. It may be a great time to shed what hasn’t been serving you and start on some new healthy habits.
Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
This is my favorite book series of all time and I’ve read through all the books twice. This is novel series that the Outlander TV series is based on and I wish I could tell you to read the books first but that ship may have already sailed. But you will still get so much out of reading them, I promise! I found these books about ten years ago by accident (or was it?) and I fell in love with these characters as if they were real people. No lie, I finished the series and a few weeks later found myself wondering what they were up to. You will love Gabaldon’s humor as much as her style of writing. It’s perfection and something to read at least once in your lifetime.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
I gifted this to a friend a few years ago but have never read it myself. I’m ordering this from a local store today so that I can get a little perspective and keep the gratitude flowing. It’s a hard time for all and I think this may be the perfect book to sit down with all that is happening right now.
What to Do
Daily Challenges
I love these because they will push me out of my comfort zone and keep the Groundhog’s Day feeling away. There are a gazillion out there so find one online or make one up yourself. It may be an exercise challenge, doing things that bring you joy, learning something new, or something to keep friendships alive. Search the internet or your social media feeds to find one that lights you up.
Keep moving
There are a TON of instructors and gyms that are doing daily live workouts for free to keep people moving. Many are using body weight since most of us don’t have extensive home gyms at the ready. Look on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to find what works for you.
Also, Peloton app is offering a 90 day free trial which is an awesome way to get some exercise without a gym. They have workouts for the stationary bike, treadmill, body weight and hand weight workouts. It’s free for 90 days then it goes to $12.99 a month. God willing that gets us through the worst of times and what’s cool is that you can still workout with friends. You set up a user name and can find friends also using Peloton. You can keep each other motivated by signing up for a class together. Built in accountability right there!
Go check it out here.
Send handwritten notes
Reaching out to friends via text and through social media is easy but what about using all this extra time to stay off the devices and actually write a sweet note to some friends? Share your feelings, recent family news, talk about memories together or just give them some words of love and support. Write the words you need to hear. Talk about whatever connects the two of you and let them know they matter to you. I think we need this now more than ever so dig out your stamps and get to scribbling. But wash your hands before you pick up that pen! ;)
Support local businesses by shopping online
I know you have some of your favorite local businesses that you want to see stay afloat during this tough economic time. You can help by ordering take out or donating meals to local shelters or even hospitals. There is sweet thing happening in Exeter, New Hampshire with a local eatery called Laney and Lu. The owner, Jennifer Derosiers, created items called Give a Smoothie and Give a Bowl as online ordering options. Each day, all of those donated smoothies and bowls are taken to a local hospital to be given to healthcare workers who on the front lines of fighting COVID-19. I LOVE this!
Your favorite locals may not be doing this yet, but what a great idea to help keep businesses going as well as hospital workers. Maybe it looks like taking venmo payments from friends so that you can place a large to-go order to deliver to a shelter, hospital or the elderly in your neighborhood. I’m sure all parties will be so very grateful!
Other ideas to support local businesses: order books from your local bookstore, order a coffee to go from your favorite neighborhood coffee shop, or have some flowers delivered to your bestie from that locally owned flower shop that just opened down the street.
Tackle home projects
I’ve got closets to organize, a cabinet of pictures to go through, pictures to hang and floors to clean. There are no shortages of home projects to keep us busy. Do I want to do them? No. Do I have any excuse to ignore their existence anymore. Not a one. By the time we are allowed to roam about freely without worry, we’re going to feel pretty damn good about the state of affairs inside our houses.
Journal
I think this is the perfect time to keep a journal. Get the anxiety, worry, doubts, fears, hopes, gratitude and dreams down on paper. Dump whatever is troubling your soul and weighing down your heart between those pages. Then let it stay there. I love journaling because it helps me deal with tough feelings and work out my problems. It’s like having a therapist at your fingertips. Literally.
There are lots of ideas for us all to do during this quarantine time so let your imaginations run wild! Share what you’re doing in the comments so we can help keep the stir-crazy away.
Love you all!!!