It seems that 2020 has started yesterday and now our country is on total lockdown. No one goes out and no one can get in. Flights are canceled. People are invited to stay home and grocery stores are mostly empty. It seems like a scene from a movie, I know. Most of you, know that I have been living in central Italy for quite some time now. And wherever you are now, you probably watched the news, read the paper on the situation in Italy and Coronavirus spreading across the country.
Italy has been in the major center of attention for almost three weeks now. Coronavirus has been spreading throughout the country heavily and now the whole country is on lockdown. Everything is closed except grocery stores and pharmacies. We are asked to stay home and try to protect ourselves but also the people around us. Less contact with others and going outside only if necessary can prevent the virus to spread around the country.
Even though the whole situation might seem hostile and difficult, prevention is always better than trying to fix things when they already impacted the whole country and are not controllable anymore.
The whole country will be still until the first week of April. Next three weeks or so, Italian citizens will stay at home. Kids will experience homeschooling and early summer break, many of us will be working from home. Streets will be empty and the air will be different. But things will be better soon and after all of this has passed, we will hug our friends again, go out to take a coffee, and take a stroll around the city. We will travel and enjoy our vacation.
But for now, our country needs us to slow down. To change our habits. To stay home. Isn’t that we are all striving for at the end? More time with our family? More time to enjoy the walls of our own home?
I know we will get past this. As with everything else. So I will try to do my best to maximize this so-called quarantine and enjoy my life at a slower pace. It will be an opportunity for all of us to step back.
My plan is to make ordinary things magical and I invite you to do the same.
This is OUR time. Our time to take care of ourselves and the people living with us.
How many times have we thought of things we want to do and we didn’t have time for them? Well, now is the right time to get out that list and start doing them. I’ve thought I would give you a couple of ideas on how to make these moments more comfortable and enjoyable. So let’s dive in.
1. Spring Decluttering
Is it only me or spring makes you organize your whole home? With sunshine and spring in the air, I want to put away those big chunky coats and sort all my spring and summer dresses again. I know, I know, it might be too early for some of you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go through your belongings and reorganize things.
Make your own Feeling good playlist, grab your cleaning supplies and make a plan! These tasks should be fun not stressing so take your time for planning everything out. Being surrounded by so many things can actually influence how you feel. I am not a minimalist myself either, but decluttering and throwing things that I don’t need (or buying them as well) make me feel better and calmer.
2. Master your cooking skills
If you are tired of eating similar dishes over and over, this is the right time to experiment in the kitchen. Try making those recipes that take time, such as bread, homemade pasta or even croissants. Dedicate your time to the kitchen and prepare something tasteful for you and your family. Include your loved ones as well - preparing recipes can be a fun way to spend your days at home. If you need some baking inspiration, go through the recipes on my blog, through old cookbooks or your favorite cooking magazines.
3. Start gardening
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."
These days, if I am not on my computer working, you will find me in our garden. It’s time for sowing summer plants seeds and dreaming about our garden again! Even if you don’t live in the countryside but have a small terrace, you can always make your little green paradise there. I use Pinterest for gardening ideas, so if you are interested, take a sneak peek at my gardening board here - Countryside Stories.
4. Enroll an online course
With today's technology, you can learn basically everything online. From cooking, drawing, photography to e-commerce, social media or coding. Online courses are a great way to spend your time wisely and learn something new. And did you know that you can enroll a course for less than $20 or even for free? Here are some of my favorite online course websites so take a look:
- Coursera
- Udemy
- Shopify Academy
- Linkedin Learning
- Domestika
- masterclass
If you need any type of advice regarding the platforms, be free to drop me an email at hello@hungryapron.com or even send me a message on Instagram @thehungryapron.
5. Listen to podcasts
If you are like me, you have been saving different podcast episodes for months. Now, while cooking or even cleaning your home you can finally hear them. Here are some of the podcasts that you might be interested:
- Beth Kirby Podcast
- Deliciously Ella
- Eat Capture Share
- Pursuit with Purpose
6. Read
The time is to slow down and start reading all those books waiting on your shelf. Right now I’ve got myself a quick read - which seems perfect for this period - Do Pause: You Are Not a to Do List.
7. Transform your home a SPA centar
Take long baths, make natural masks and take care of your skin. These rituals will help you relax and glow even more.
8. Exercise
We are not allowed outside but that doesn’t mean we can not do some stretching, yoga or have fun with some Zumba at home.
9. Have a social dinner
We do live in a digital age where screens are everywhere around us. Instead of texting your friends, make a social dinner. Yes, everyone will be at their own homes, eating different food, but you can catch up and have fun face-timing.
10. Pajama day and Netflix marathon without feeling guilty about it 🙂
Well, this one needs no more further explanation, am I right? Prepare some popcorn and enjoy your day on the couch, snuggling!
Do you have some other creative ideas? Tag your posts and stories with #makingordinarymagical. Let’s use this hashtag to share our love for our home and well-being. For slow life at home. For ordinary days with our families that are a blessing.
Take care of yourself. Stay safe and enjoy your days at home.
Sending you all a big virtual hug from our home in Italy.
