Hi again, sunshines!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week ~still~ at home.

Even though I have found ways to get my day started a little better, I still feel like the days at home go by at least ten times slower than a day at the office. Whether it’s my lunch break, or after I clock out for the evening, I have tried to find new ways to make use of my free time. (Even though binging a TV show always ends up pretty high on the to do list!)

Clean out your closet.

Just because I am stuck at home, doesn’t mean I have stopped online shopping! Hard habit to break I guess! To take up some free time (& to free up some hangers) cleaning out my closet has proved to be very relaxing! Out with the old & in with the new they always say! Organization has always been so important to me. The peace I find from color coding my shoes is probably very odd, but I mean, whatever gets ya through the day, right?

Take a walk in the sunshine.

No matter what time of day it is, in the morning to wake up or in the evening to wind down, taking a walk in the sunshine is always good for the heart. Sunshine is so refreshing (minus the pollen of course) & just 15 minutes outside can greatly impact your mood!

Take up a new hobby or go back to an old one.

Since I graduated college, it has been hard for me to find a good hobby that I really enjoy. I have always loved to work out, but now my Orange Theory is closed. Along with every other aspect of my life it seems, I have had to adapt my workouts too! With more free time, reading became a hobby that was highly suggested. It has proved to be more relaxing than I expected. Not to mention, it is nice to give my eyes a break from the harsh laptop & phone light!

Some hobby suggestions I could offer: reading, puzzles, board games, painting your nails, writing or of course FaceTiming a friend or your little sister!

Even though the work days look a little different now, it has still been important to me to maintain a balance of how my time is spent. When I would get home from the office, it was important for me to take time for myself & wind down. This time for myself is still just as important; because at the end of the day, work is still work & you still need a work life balance.

Calming your environment.

Jamming music in rush hour on the way home quickly turned to lighting a candle & muting the TV. Between phone calls, zoom calls & emails, communication is constant when you are working at home or at the office. All I wanted was some PEACE & QUIET; which is so needed.

By calming my environment and stepping away from the noise, it allows you to reset. I also found a lot of value in turning off my phone for a little while or going for a run without it. Social media & text messages keep the communication going; sometimes the silence does you some good!

Bubble Bath & Wine.

Never underestimate the power of a bubble bath &  a glass of good red wine. MY HAPPY PLACE. When we are constantly in the fast mode of normal work life, we don’t have time to wind down with a good bubble bath & wine, unless it’s the weekend. This is the beauty of quarantine: enjoying the things we don’t have time for in normal day-to-day life. Whether your wine is Chardonnay, Merlot or a good glass of sweet Rosé, this little treat will do your soul wonders! It is also a great time to catch up on your current Netflix show.

I hope these suggestions make a little difference in your winding down schedule & remember to treat yourself every now & then! See ya back next week for #3 (unless we aren’t on lock down anymore!)

**FINGERS CROSSED**