Staying at Home Has Changed My Lifestyle – Here's What I Plan to Keep Doing Once It's Over

There’s something so satisfying about waking up and making your bed first thing in the morning – it sets the tone for the whole day! I’m more productive, in a better mood, and am ready to take on the world. Almost every day that I make my bed is a good day, and even if it isn’t, at least my bed’s made.

It’s not that I didn’t read before, it’s just that it’d take me much longer to do. I’d always find an excuse – “I’m too tired” or “I don’t have time” were the top two. Making time and forcing myself to do it has been one of the best feelings.

I would have never thought to sit down for a Zoom call when I had so many opportunities to see friends and family in person. Even friends across the country felt the same, that we all had better things to do. Planning trips sounded like a better alternative than sitting in front of a computer. Now that we’re all at home, video chats have been a great method of keeping in touch, and I feel closer to my friends now more than ever.

Walks have always been part of my routine. If I had to go somewhere that was in walking distance, sure, I’d walk. But typically, I wouldn’t just walk for no reason – that’s what I had my outdoor runs for. Prioritizing walks around the neighborhood, and actually looking up to see everything around me, has been super refreshing and allows me to take more in than my runs do.

This puzzle is straight-up hilarious, and I’m so proud we finally finished it! It took my roommate and me a whole month to complete, and now that it’s done, I’m ready for another – it was such a stress reliever!

I’m a terrible cook/baker. However, when I stick to easy recipes, like these three-ingredient oatmeal cookies (I replaced the vanilla protein powder for chocolate chips, and it was SO good), my cooking tends to turn out OK. I now make these cookies every week, and I love them first thing in the morning!

At-home workouts have never been my cup of tea, as I’ve always enjoyed the energy of a workout class or felt more motivated inside of a gym. However, now that gyms are closed, I’ve been turned on to some calorie-scorching classes that are too efficient to not keep doing.

You bet as soon as we heard we were staying at home, my roommate and I ordered coloring books: two Lisa Frank books plus this hilarious Cat Butt coloring book ($8). Coloring is such a fun activity to do in your spare time, and it’s taken my mind off all things stressful.