We’re all spending a lot of time at home as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s a stressful and uncertain time, and I hope you’re taking care of yourself and your family—physically and mentally.
I know it is difficult to stay at home and look at the same 4 walls day in and day out. However, there are things you can do to make the days go by quicker and give you a sense of accomplishment.
We are so fortunate to have homes to live in. Ones we cherish and feel safe in. Why not use this time to make them more comfortable?
Here are a few ideas to use our ‘Stay Home and Stay Safe’ time usefully.
Clean out your cupboards.
Now is the perfect time to do those chores that are the most daunting. There is only so much dusting, vacuuming and cleaning you can do.
How about tackling the kitchen, one drawer or cupboard at a time? I am sure you will find things in there you never even knew you had. Or, wish you still didn’t!
Take the time (you have it now) to wipe everything down and add fresh shelf and drawer liners.
Write a letter or email a friend.
We get so caught up in our daily lives that we neglect the simple things in life. Like letter writing. I used to do this all the time when I was younger. Before computers!!
Why not sit down and write a letter (or email) letting family and friends know how you are doing and what is going on in your life.
You could follow the format of a ‘Christmas Letter’ that many people send out during the holidays summarizing how life unfolded the year before.
Organize your linen closet.
Oh that closet!! How many of you still have twin sized sheets stored away even if all your kids have moved out and the only size bed in the house is your King Size!!
Haul everything out of there. Go through it all. Match up the sets, putting flat and fitted together. Did you know there is a trick to folding a fitted sheet? Go online, it is very clever.
And a good way to keep sets together is to tuck the folded sheets inside the matching pillowcases. Then it all stays together. Donate (when the time is right) what you no longer can use.
Mend your clothes.
Have you ever been running late in the morning and when you are getting dressed find that one sock in your only clean pair has a hole in the toe? Go through all your clothes, mend what you can, toss out what you can’t and donate (when the time is right) what you no longer wear.
And while you are at it, eliminate those wire hangers. I like the slim, space saving velvet non slip hangers, but anything other than wire will do. You will make Joan Crawford very happy. If you must, keep one in case you lock yourself out of the car.
Plan your next project.
If you had been thinking of home updates before we were confined to our homes, you can still plan. Look around the house. Pinpoint those areas you would like to improve. Put a list together. Go online to find some images or dig out those magazines and get started.
Find images of rooms you like and ideas you want to incorporate into your home. Build a concept board. Then when the time is right, you will be ready to tackle your next home improvement project, and I will be here to help you.
When all this is over and we can finally get back to our normal lives, your home will be clean and organized, your clothes mended and ready for use and you will be pretty pleased with yourself that you used this time wisely and efficiently. Kind of like ‘paying it forward’ to yourself.
Take care and stay safe.
Barb
