How To Spend Your Time During Social Distancing

March 17, 2020

How To Spend Your Time During Social Distancing | Best Holiday Candles I wit & whimsy

Social distancing is strange and can definitely be difficult but it is the best thing we can do during this time. I hope you’re taking it to heart and if you’re feeling like you’d like some new programming ideas for how to spend your time while we all look out for the greater good, I’ve got you! Below is a laundry list of things to help you stay engaged and entertained.

How To Spend Your Time During Social Distancing

Try out new recipes.

Buy a new cookbook or two! You’ll be supporting authors and get to try some new things. Three cookbooks I’m currently loving include this, this & this. And here are my go-to recipes. And as you escape to the grocery store or place online delivery orders, be sure to meal plan so you’re shopping efficiently. I love this meal planning pad.

Sign up for some new newsletters.

I love my friend Hitha’s weekly newsletter, the weekly newsletter from Girls’ Night in Club (their content is so relevant right now!) and those I subscribe to from The New York Times – particularly the cooking and wellness ones!

Download some new podcasts.

I shared a bunch of recommendations from the wit & whimsy community on my Instagram. Find them under the Programming highlight on my profile. Some I like can be found here, too. I also have TV and book recommendations there.

Buy yourself new sheets.

One of the best things we can do for our own immune systems is to get quality sleep. Having sheets you love can help with this so no time like the present to buy a new set of sheets. I can’t recommend the Classic sheet set from Brooklinen enough. They are the only brand of sheets I own now because I love how crisp they always feel but are also so cozy. By purchasing from them you’ll also be supporting a small business founded by a husband and wife.

Start a new book.

Need some recommendations? A few books I’ve recently loved include The Flatshare, Catch & Kill, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, American Royals, Little Fires Everywhere (the Netflix adoption of this book comes out in days so definitely read if you haven’t yet!), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and A Sky Painted Gold. Here are even more books I’ve read and enjoyed, too.

Do some retail therapy online.

Here are my favorite places to shop online. And here are some of my favorite pieces. I also updated the Seasonal Favorites and Under $100 categories of my The Shop page yesterday, too. And finally Everlane has just announced $50 denim through the week. This pair (seen here), this pair (seen here), this pair & this pair are my personal favorites and I take size 28 in all.

Bake.

Comfort food is real and now is the perfect time to bake. I love the blogs Joy the Baker, My Baking Addiction and Sally’s Baking Addiction. This morning I’m making banana bread and I’ve got everything on hand to make my great grandmother’s graham cracker brownies (a secret family recipe!) Here and here are two posts with fun baking recipes to do at home right now.

Catch up on blogs.

Support your favorite content creators by reading their posts, shopping from their links and commenting on their posts. It means A LOT! I have SO much back content to explore (5 posts a week for 13 years) and many of my favorite bloggers also post almost daily. A few favorites of mine I recommend checking out? Carly the Prepster, The Stripe, Ashley Brooke Designs, Brooklyn Blonde, This Time Tomorrow, Lindsay Silberman and The Style Scribe.

Organize your makeup and clean your makeup brushes.

I have these drawers for my makeup and love them. And this makeup brush cleanser works so well and has lasted me a long time.

Foam Roll.

Using a foam roller is one of the best things you can do for your muscles – particularly if you’re spending more time sitting these days.

Clean out your closet.

I wrote this post recently with tips on how to do so! This brand also has a lot of affordable organizational solutions.

Go through your magazines.

Are you like me with a stack of unread magazines or catalogs? Finally read and go through them! I started this yesterday and I got some good inspo from them.

Organize your pantry.

Now is the perfect time to pull everything out of your cabinets, check expiration dates and re-organize.

Tidy and clean your home head to toe.

Clear out those junk drawers, dust, wipe down surfaces, file those papers and get rid of those mini piles.

Treat yourself to a new candle.

I’ve been finding comfort in my cozy studio by lighting lots of candles. I recommend buying from Otherland so you can support a female founded small business.

Start learning a new language.

Download Duolingo and begin to practice a new language.

Send pick me ups to your friends.

One of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends is send $10 Venmo payments to one another when times are tough or you’ve had a bad day. You can surprise them with $10 they can spend on a little pick me up. Snail mail is also a great way to do this! I sent off three cards to friends over the weekend.

Explore YouTube.

Want to learn how to do a cat eye eyeliner? Find a tutorial on YouTube. Want to learn new cooking skills? Check out Bon Appetit’s videos! YouTube also has plenty of programming for kids.

Try or start something new.

Want to try watercolor? Order a kit! A follower recommended the site Let’s Make Art. Order games from Amazon to play with your family. Buy some puzzles to work through. You can also learn a host of new skills via Skillshare (new members get 2 months free!) or Masterclass.

Support a good cause.

Consider browsing GoFundMe to find a cause that touches you and support them. Or my friend Hitha shared this thread that has lots of worthwhile causes, too.

Browse Etsy.

Etsy is a marketplace of small businesses and they will all hurt during this time so any orders can help. Consider buying a new candle from a shop on Etsy or some cards for snail mail. This past week I ordered a bunch of birthday cards from different vendors to support them.

Explore Pinterest.

Spend time browsing Pinterest for pretty photos, cute clothes, ideas for what to do with your kiddos and good recipes. You can follow me here.

Order some comfy clothes.

Working from home right now? My favorite lounge set I’ve been living in lately is made up of these sweats and this sweatshirt. (Recommend sizing down in both). I also love wearing these cashmere joggers which match with my favorite cashmere hoodie. Also consider treating yourself to some new pajamas My favorite PJs that I’ve had for over five years and still look forward to wearing. (Alternatively, a w&w reader shared she’s obsessed with these Target PJs that are a dupe for mine! A great price and three cute colors.)

Other ideas? My favorite cozy plush robe that feels amazing to put on after a shower or bath. These chic and under $50 joggers from Gap. My very favorite blanket to cuddle under on my couch. And the one I keep on my bed and use on extra cold nights. Also love the looks of this oneThe best socks to keep your feet warm. This cozy teddy fleece sweatshirt – I’ve been living in mine! Also been wearing my Dudley Stephens fleece – I wear it in a size Large.

. . .

I also want to give a shoutout to those people still going to work in essential functions including government employees, educators and healthcare providers; among others. I salute you and am grateful for you!

I will be continuing to post outfits and other usual content here on wit & whimsy but I also want to be a resource for you all during this time. Keep an eye out for a forthcoming post about some of the best things you can do for self care while at home! In the meantime, stay safe & healthy, all.

p.s. uplifting things to do at this time and how CBD can help your anxiety.

[Image via]

comments +

  1. kelly powers says:

    this is such a great list! your book recs are always some of my faves 🙂
    thank you and hope you are staying well in nyc. sending <3 from chi.

  2. Cynthia Leaf says:

    Great suggestions! I’m waiting on another watercolor kit to be delivered.
    Sally’s white chocolate chip cranberry cookies are divine. Love all her recipes. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/soft-baked-white-chocolate-chip-cranberry-cookies/

  3. Nicole says:

    Thank you for sharing these! They’re great 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *