how i’m staying sane in 2020
We're 8 months into COVID and though many of us have found coping mechanisms, then abandoned them and picked up new ones only to abandon those too, here are a few more things you might want to look into doing if you're asking yourself - what now? here’s what’s kept and keeping me sane in 2020
GETTING SWEATY
If you haven't tried boxing yet, here's my two cents on getting into this cardio killer. I hate working out but love boxing. I hate doing yoga except for hot yoga but RIP to that because there's no way it's coming back anytime soon with this pandemic still going on. I also hate pilates, running, cycling, and crossfit! Obviously, I've tried all those only to realize they're not for me. Eventually, I got into boxing 4-5 years ago and have stuck with it ever since. I also do a few workouts on IG that much like everyone else, I have saved to a WORKOUT folder but I really only do workouts from @kirstygodso, @alexislovesyou, and @melissawoodhealth. Boxing has done wonders by keeping my stress levels balanced (you feel amazing when you can physically let it all out). If you find a gym that's currently doing classes outside or even private training, here's your push to go for it. You won't be disappointed!
IRL SHOPPING
Like some of you, I've done my share of too much online shopping only to counteract that, by selling things on Poshmark and Depop because I've shopped so much. Yet each month I find a way to pay my bills on time so I'm not doing THAT much damage. I've tried to keep up with some trends but mostly find myself buying things that might make me happy. Also like everyone else, I. have nowhere to go so I'm not buying based on need, I'm buying based on want. I want to go to weddings, baby showers, birthdays, big dinners, even a fancy bar...but a lot of that is put on hold and it makes sense to just buy sweats. HOWEVER, I'm not a sweatpants person (weird I know) and what makes me feel happy and comfy are maxi dresses, silk, lace, luxe, and gauzy pieces of clothing. I wish I was a sweatpants person but I can't justify buying a pair of beautifully designed sweats I'll actually wear, for $400+. Yes, obviously cheaper sweats exist but they never pique my interest. What I've loved doing the most over the years that hasn't put a dent in my wallet (or the ecosystem) is thrifting!
I've loved searching for pieces at my local thrift stores or when I'm on the hunt for something boujee, I head to Wasteland. Its a pricey thrift/consignment store but its a happy place. The one on Melrose is the best IMO but they also have locations in Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks. Thrifting is the best way to find something you're looking for without ever knowing you needed it in your closet. It's like a fashion treasure hunt. Even though they won't let you try things on because of the pandemic, you can still return what didn't work in ten days for a full refund. I feel like when you can physically hold, touch, and feel garments, you're less likely to add 6 things from Nasty Gal to your cart, wait for it to be shipped from the UK to the US, and ultimately get disappointed because the quality was WAYYYYYYY below what you were expecting. I've found so many of my favorite pieces from Jen's Pirate Booty, Stone Cold Fox, Isabel Marant, The Kooples, and For Love & Lemons items at local thrift stores. I love finding vintage pieces or samples too, both of which you can't find online unless you spend hours stalking Ebay.
COOKING AT HOME
We're a Blue Apron house so having set meals we create from a recipe we never would've picked in the first place has been extremely helpful. Pre-COVID, we went out ALL THE TIME. Staying home has saved us so much money thankfully but now that restaurants are open again, we still pick cooking at home over going out. We'll occasionally get take out or go with another couple for dinner and drinks once a week but my boyfriend has been extremely motivated to cook out of our comfort zone. He once thought cooking each night took too long wasn't fun. Now, he randomly decides we're making Gnocchi from scratch. I've loved spending time getting better at cooking, learning what we like or want to make more of and even cut down on added sugars and fats. We've both gotten healthier by taking the time to prepare everything we eat instead of picking up quick meals and processed foods. This Summer I learned that I had a secretly huge sugar addiction and kicked that cold turkey. That choice hilariously resulted in a very violent sugar detox but I'm completely back to normal and WAY healthier now. Read the daily values for sugar on your packaged foods and thank me later.
MARIE KONDO YOUR LIFE
I am someone who buys a lot, but also sells a lot. I love certain pieces when I get them but recently I've looked long and hard at a few questionable and expensive fashion choices and said, WHO ARE YOU? I moved in with my boyfriend of 5 years in August and downgraded from a walk-in closet (in a rent-controlled apartment that literally fell apart) to two coat closets in the downstairs part of our condo. I've worked on and off in fashion and events, and have accumulated quite the closet of treasures but not everything fits in there as nice as it once did. Upon moving in, I had to spend a bit of time with my entire closet and do the first round of cuts. I repeatedly look through it each month and find 4-6 pieces that I can list on Poshmark or Depop or consign with The Real Real. Real talk, selling online has helped offset my pandemic spending and helped clear up space in my closet (for more things I'll eventually fill it with). I'll normally buy things that I know I can eventually sell for what I bought it for or close to that price which makes letting go of them always a bit easier.
I've also reorganized my bathroom goodies and have recently started using up my samples first before I buy new products because 1. I want more space in my drawers and 2. I could use all those Sunday Reily tubes of Vitamin C Serum. I know we all hoard these but what are they good for if they're just sitting in your drawers taking up space, drying up or expiring as you let them sit. Use up those samples!
MAKING PEACE WITH IT ALL
I fought so hard against what's been going on, until about August. I'm a Gemini and I like being in control of most things. Group projects, road trip plans, how I spend my time shopping, asking guys out, you name it. I've had bad days filled with constant anxiety, panic attacks about how I'll pay bills, dealing with the worst neighbor I've ever had live above me, a rent-controlled building that gave zero shits about my safety, overspending, health concerns, and family drama. I'm still not 100% happy or thriving but I'm surviving. I've been lucky enough to find a new job during this that helped keep me sane and healthy and helped me stay afloat when my income took a massive hit. I still have a lot of things that keep me up at night but after over worrying and almost giving myself daily panic attacks, I realized I can't control any of it.
It took a while to really cement that but every time something new and insane happens I ask myself, "Can I control this?" If the answer is yes, then I'll find a way to deal with it the best I can. If the answer is no, then I usually walk away from it feeling a bit bummed, a little helpless, and upset. I'll give myself time to be upset about things I can't control like finding out our 9-year-old dog Olive had stage 4 cancer (this past May) in the afternoon and being told we had to put her down by the evening. We've all been through things we can't control this year and as much as we've been conditioned to fight the yucky stuff that comes with getting older, I feel like our time and energy could be better spent in enjoying what actually makes us happy. Putting down our phone when news notifications flood it and spend time with those that make you feel happy to exist, even in a time as unpredictable as this one. Stay safe and sane out there!
