I know these are hard times for everyone right now as we all work from home and are told not to leave our homes unless for something essential or a bit of fresh air. Since 2 weeks ago, I’ve been stuck in NYC at my boyfriend’s apt, yes the epicenter of the pandemic. It’s hard to believe that 50% of the United States’s cases are in NYC and yet here I am. Not to worry though, all I’ve been doing is leaving for a quick run on the East River and then a quick stop to CVS or Fairway / Trader Joe’s if absolutely necessary. Kev and I went to the grocery store and stocked up with over a week’s worth of groceries so we are set for a few days. The key is frozen foods and then getting produce that you know will last awhile. Here’s a list of some essential things I’ve found pretty helpful over the past few weeks since the weekend of March 13th when I packed my bags and went from my flatiron apartment to Kev’s apartment (which is a lot bigger) to self quarantine ourselves.
Stock up on the Essentials
Thanks to the mass amount of notifications we get from the news, I got this one from Buzzfeed on the 21 most helpful food charts that will come in handy during quarantine. Here’s a photo of the food chart that honestly helped me so much so when I did that one big stop at the grocery store, I made sure to buy the produce I know will keep. It’s important to know what your longer-lasting produce options are like canned tomatoes if you want to throw sauces together.
Cook your favorite food and make it look pretty! I’ve bought flowers like 3 times already because it’s so important to live in a space that makes you feel good and looks good.
And cook and bake and cook and bake and cook and bake……
Find At Home Workouts You Enjoy
If you’re too scared to leave the house, there are ways to get endorphins up at home with workout instructors/influencers who are there to teach and coach you along the way. I personally love @whitsich and @sarahfit’s live videos on Instagram. They’ve got a lot of great reps to work with from working the glutes, abs, thighs, and arms.
@IAmWellandGoodhas a great one too..
I know a bunch of friends are too nervous to leave the house and have been resorting to these at home workouts frequently. Things are getting worse out there and especially being in NYC so you have to be careful. I, however, have been (extremely careful) but still have left the house every day that it hasn’t been cold or rainy to run. I need the fresh air on my face and skin or I go crazy from being indoors all day. To each their own! Just be wise about it.
Dance it Out on Insta Live or TikTok
If you hate doing the whole serious work outs at home and just want to burn off steam, then a little dance party might be perfect for you. I always appreciate a little dance party. There are a few favorite DJs I know and love who have been turning to Facebook Live to get their followers going with a little dance party. @SofiTukkrhave been doing it everyday at 1pm EST. Lean your phone against the wall and just dance to the new fresh beats of their music – they’re basically performing for you for FREE. Might as well take advantage and blow off steam with a few moves. Or get on the TikTok train that everyone has been loving since been self-quarantined. I downloaded one myself and can’t stop trying to do the videos everyone has been posting. It’s fun and addicting but yes it requires energy so maybe save your workout energy for a little dance party and challenge yourself to learn a new dance routine.
Join Us on asembl for Our Virtual Shows via Zoom
I’ve been helping host a bunch of comedy events with asembland they’ve turned out great. Keep an eye on our stories to see when the next comedy event is because they’re all free (we accept charitable tip jar donations via paypal). The comedians are hilarious and soon we’ll have actual bands perform for us. Everyone’s hurting as they don’t have space to play outside or at concerts or at venues so Zoom virtual shows are the way to go and that’s what we’re doing on asembl. Hope to see you online at 8pm EST tonight.
Create Something: Puzzles, Banana Bread or Crocheting
I am so proud to say I finally finished crocheting a blanket that I use everyday in quarantine. It took a few weeks but I’ve accomplished it. It has been amazing to work at something every night and to finally be finished and to actually use it for comfort during this time. I ordered my yarns through LoveCrafts and found them to be really high quality. They’re a small business so if you want to support a small hard working company at this time, check them out.
I think I want my next project to be a jigsaw puzzle and make Kev get involved in that. We have been playing a lot of scrabble after work too. Keep the games and energy up, smiling and laughing and stimulating your brain in fun ways is important.
Take a Lot of Naps
We all need them. Get into a cozy waffle weave bathrobe from Jacaranda Living. I practically live in these slippers these days.
Read Something Uplifting
Read a book or listen to a good audible. This is your time to do something for you on top of the work your boss is still making you finish. There is all the time in the world to get to that thing you always wanted to start or skill you wanted to learn. I know that we’re in scary times under quarantine from the government but keep in mind your values and your list of to do’s in life. And stay positive.
Always remember:
I want to leave you with one last message, something my brother sent me earlier today that Bill Gates wrote. So apparently, Bill Gates predicted the Coronavirus spread in 2015. He’s a smart smart man. Here’s a message he sent out to his community that reminds us to meditate, keep our egos in check, and most importantly, not to panic because “this too shall pass.”
*Message from Bill Gates*
Subject:
*What is the Corona/ Covid-19 Virus Really Teaching us?*
I’m a strong believer that there is a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens, whether that is what we perceive as being good or being bad.
As I meditate upon this, I want to share with you what I feel the Corona/ Covid-19 virus is really doing to us:
1) It is reminding us that we are all equal, regardless of our culture, religion, occupation, financial situation or how famous we are. This disease treats us all equally, perhaps we should too. If you don’t believe me, just ask Tom Hanks.
2) It is reminding us that we are all connected and something that affects one person has an effect on another. It is reminding us that the false borders that we have put up have little value as this virus does not need a passport. It is reminding us, by oppressing us for a short time, of those in this world whose whole life is spent in oppression.
3) It is reminding us of how precious our health is and how we have moved to neglect it through eating nutrient poor manufactured food and drinking water that is contaminated with chemicals upon chemicals. If we don’t look after our health, we will, of course, get sick.
4) It is reminding us of the shortness of life and of what is most important for us to do, which is to help each other, especially those who are old or sick. Our purpose is not to buy toilet roll.
5) It is reminding us of how materialistic our society has become and how, when in times of difficulty, we remember that it’s the essentials that we need (food, water, medicine)
as opposed to the luxuries that we sometimes unnecessarily give value to.
6) It is reminding us of how important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this. It is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and
to strengthen our family unit.
7) It is reminding us that our true work is not our job, that is what we do, not what we were created to do. Our true work is to look after each other, to protect each other and to be of benefit to one another.
8) It is reminding us to keep our egos in check. It is reminding us that no matter how great we think we are or how great others think we are, a virus can bring our world to a standstill.
9) It is reminding us that the power of freewill is in our hands. We can choose to cooperate and help each other, to share, to give, to help and to support each other or we can choose to be selfish, to hoard, to look after only our self. Indeed, it is difficulties that bring out our true colors.
10) It is reminding us that we can be patient, or we can panic. We can either understand that this type of situation has happened many times before in history and will pass, or we can panic and see it as the end of the world and, consequently, cause ourselves more harm than good.
11) It is reminding us that this can either be an end or a new beginning. This can be a time of reflection and understanding, where we learn from our mistakes, or it can be the start of a cycle which will continue until we finally learn the lesson we are meant to.
12) It is reminding us that this Earth is sick. It is reminding us that we need to look at the rate of deforestation just as urgently as we look at the speed at which toilet rolls are disappearing off of shelves. We are sick because our home is sick.
13) It is reminding us that after every difficulty, there is always ease. Life is cyclical, and this is just a phase in this great cycle. We do not need to panic; this too shall pass.
14) Whereas many see the Corona/ Covid-19 virus as a great disaster, I prefer to see it as a *great corrector*
It is sent to remind us of the important lessons that we seem to have forgotten and it is up to us if we will learn them or not.
**
Love you all & Help Stop the Spread of Coronavirus
I hope you enjoyed the read. Please share with friends, and please please please for the love of God stay home and indoors and avoid giving anything to the elderly or at risk people. It’s just simply not worth it! Love you all.
Stay safe,
xG
Gracie Deale 
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