It’s so easy to get into a funk with the state of things right now and about once a week I just have an off day. I think it’s okay and almost necessary to give in to those emotions and then refocus. If you’re interested in a great article, this one from the Harvard Business Review really takes a deeper dive into the emotions that we’re feeling and one that I’ve shared with everyone in my family. For me, I try to channel what this experience has allowed me to gain.
Quality Time with Gary || Before this quarantine, Gary and I barely had any time with one another during the week. If we were lucky it would be a couple hours at night, but we were both working on projects and it wasn’t truly quality time, with the occasional “how was your day” and “what are you working on?” Even though this is a high stress time, we are more of a team than ever, especially both working. It’s the two of us trying to navigate this and we get to talk about every little thing – celebrating little victories along the way – like making it through a particularly hard day! We eat all three meals together, share all the household chores and now instead of spending our nights on computers, we’re watching a movie or a show! Weekly date nights after this will be happening so much more frequently!
Watching Sophia Learn || Maternity leave with Sophia was a blur, weeknights and weekends never seem like enough and now I’m with Sophia 24/7! There are no breaks and she is in a crazy mommy phase! These last few weeks have been incredibly eye opening in not only parenting, but in teaching Sophia and seeing her learn new things. Just in the last week alone she’s started saying new words and phrases and it’s so exciting because she didn’t know them and now she does. Obviously I know this will continue to happen, but being able to see it first hand and not a daycare teacher or my mom telling me is amazing!
Organization station || Oh man, I love organizing as it is, but this quarantine has brought it to another level. I’ve cleaned and organized the fridge, ordered spice bottles with labels, purged clothes and just about everything else in our condo and it feels great. I’ve ordered a lot of new organization things to make things “work” and look prettier. Also, if like organization videos, the Home Edit has a channel called “Master the Mess” that I’ve been watching non-stop!
I ordered this spice bottles and labels– I’ve been wanting everything to look uniform for the longest time!
I have this organizer for pouches in the fridge and then I use this one in a cabinet for little odds and ends like candles, food coloring and baking items.
I ordered this “mini” organizer to put under the sink in the bathroom. We have an oddly shaped vanity so I hope this works.
New found love for Pinterest || I used to be obsessed with Pinterest and then I sort of stopped pinning. But I’ve found myself pinning to my dream home board again because this experience has shown Gary and I that we are craving more space and an outdoor area for Sophia – a move to the suburbs may be in our future, still a distant future, but one we’re considering way more seriously now! I’ve also been cooking so much more than I have in the last year. Every meal isn’t something new, but I am experimenting more and I have the time to do so – you can follow my recipe boardhere.
What are some things that are getting you through quarantine?
What are some things that are getting you through quarantine?
I have been reacquainted with Pinterest as well! Being at home so much, I want to renovate everything. Richard is thrilled haha! I actually pinned that exact picture — the doors leading from the dining room to the kitchen. I want to replace our current layout with something like that! Love all the organizational ideas, too!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I love that I've gotten to spend more time with my husband as well. I still go to work, but having him home more is so good! I'm all about organizing too.
Love!! I have been organising and cooking lots too… and watching a show together nightly as a family has been awesome too! Off to check put your recipe board! I have also been pantry shopping… such a fun exercise!!
The quality time with our loved ones really is a blessing! You are getting to see so many things with Sophia that you might not of seen during the day and I love that! Lots of organizing here, lots of walking, and lots of card and Uno playing with my boys! And of course reading, lots of reading and binge watching, LOL
I know – I told Ricky we havent seen this much of each other since we were dating 🙂 Its a good thing we still like each other LOL
LOOK AT SOPHIA IN HER MICKEY WEAR!!!! So dang cute – growing up so fast!!!
Watching Sophia learn must be extra special right now! I miss seeing my cousins kids that I saw every week. I know they are going to have grown so much in these short weeks. I'm on an organizing trend too and J and I are spending WAY more time that we even did before with him working from home. There are blessings in this but it's tough some hours. Hoping over to read the HBR!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
So glad you're finding a way to see the positive. That HBR article rings truer than true!!! XOXO, R
Bring back all the pinspiration! And yay for more quality time with the fam. We are the same way during the week usually, and it's so sad that our work consumes us so much that we can't focus on what's truly important <3
Green Fashionista
I love that you are looking at the positive! I also love seeing all of your Sophia videos and your fridge stories on Insta looked amazing!!
I am totally trying to take the same approach and focus on the positives–our health being number one but also all the extra quality time we have gained without the commute! I get totally sucked into Pinterest too-especially home ideas!!
Rosy Outlook
Focusing on the positives is the only way to go! I am loving going through cookbooks and doing more yoga.
I have been resting, cooking and organizing.
Bernie, xx
The Style Fanatic
It's so important to cherish this time with our husbands and kids. We will never get time with them like this again! Yes, to organization. I've been doing it little by little.
Daily walks, playing basketball together, baking together, lots of reading and just trying to survive.
I've been the same way with Pinterest. I used to be obsessed, stopped using it, & now I look at all the home ideas!
I have been 'pinning' more, too! And organizing – with being home all the time, those problem areas are a bit more in my face, and has me wanting to take care of them sooner than later!
Blessings.
Good for you, girl! I loved this post. I think it's important to find the little victories and everyday happiness in the midst of everything happening. I'm coming off a really difficult week, so I need to take a page out of your book and refocus this weekend! Stay safe and healthy!
Karly
whatkarlysaid.com
I have definitely been focusing on the gains as well during this time. We definitely live in a blurred life when we are all going to work, school, etc day in and day out. Never really spending any quality time during the week or having any meaningful conversations past the how was your day. It is nice to focus on things that really matter….and organizing around the house too!
I do love those spice jars and they looked so great when you had it all done. I might have to order a set. We have so many spices (and the large ones, too) and it's hard to know what we have and what we need, honestly. Plus… my little organizer's heart would sing with the uniformity, lol.