By: Elizabeth Koblenz, LMSW

As we enter another month of quarantine, it is important to stay positive and look at this as extra time and opportunity to partake in activities and tasks you may not have had time to prior. You may find a new routine or an activity you didn’t do in the past, like taking your time to have your morning coffee, or, eating breakfast with your loved ones. While this is a time of uncertainty that can cause feelings of anxiety, this can also be a great opportunity to hone in on what comforts you during this time. Here are four simple tips to help find joy: 

1.     Celebrate the small things and the big milestones

While a lot of the bigger milestone events are being rescheduled or cancelled, it is still important to find ways to celebrate the big achievements, as well as some of the smaller ones! If one of your friends or family members have a birthday, continue to celebrate them, even if you can’t see them in person. Set up a Zoom meeting with other friends and family to make them feel special to show that you are thinking of them. Perhaps your child learned how to ride a bike for the first time. This could be a great opportunity to find a way to celebrate that achievement. Maybe you know someone getting married. Many have decided to reschedule their weddings, but you can still make them feel loved on their day by continuing to celebrate their love by sending them treats in the mail or facetiming them to commemorate their special day. Get creative! You never know what you might come up with that will end up being a special new tradition.

2.     Use the down time to clean and organize your home or bedroom

Before quarantine it was common for people to have difficulty in finding the time to clean and organize spaces. If you are working from home or are partaking in distanced learning and are in between meetings or in between classes online, take some time to go through different parts of your home (or room) to re-organize and clean. Designating time each day will help create routine and also feel good to work in a clean space!

3.     Stay social with family and friends 

Although we cannot physically see our friends and family, we are lucky for technology! Although it can sometimes feel time consuming, it can feel rewarding to take time out of your week to facetime your family and friends, or even set up a Zoom meeting. This time can make you feel even more connected than before the pandemic. Online games, game nights, and Netflix parties are a perfect way to enjoy each other’s company while remaining comfortable in your own home. Give it a try!

4.     Take time to learn something new

There is always something new to learn but it may feel hard to find the time. Now is a great time to give it a whirl! Create a baked good that you have always wanted to try or a dinner dish that the family would love. If there is a language that you want to learn, look into YouTube videos or other programs that will allow you to do so. You can also watch tutorials online to learn activities like knitting or even tie-dying. Taking the time each week to learn something new or master your trade can feel empowering and help boost your confidence.