Three Little Hobbies Getting Me Through an Isolated Winter

 I’ve been feeling extra isolated and lonely lately even with a crazy work remote schedule. Something about six hours of zoom calls a day doesn’t seem to make me feel any better or less isolated. Plus, I’m fucking tired of zoom calls. Here are a few things I’ve taken up to have a little more fun at home that doesn’t involve technology and staring at a screen:

Experimenting with Food & Drink

So everything I do isn’t anything extreme or crazy, but I have been playing around with my coffee drinks with my Nespresso machine, my hot tea options (bought a $30 electric kettle!) and trying new wines with my Bowers Harbor wine club membership.

I’ve also picked up new frozen items to try from Trader Joe’s, cooked with Rob (and his sister who’s an amazing cook and gets me outside my comfort zone with vegan meals and new combos.) Just veering away from my typical three meals I make or prepare has made life slightly more exciting at home. And keeping me on a better eating schedule than snacking on chips all day.

I’ve also ordered take out from local restaurants that I hadn’t tried before and it’s been great to eat delicious food from home with ease–and support local businesses. This isn’t probably a hobby, but I’d like to think it is LOL.

Playing Games at Home

I’ve bought a handful of new games to keep at home like Skip-bo, Uno and Phase 10 along with puzzles and other board games that Rob owns. It’s made nights a little more exciting with a glass of wine, take-out and a riveting game of Skip-bo. Rob and I end up playing card games first thing in the morning after breakfast on weekends too. Just changes it up from TV watching and staring at my computer screen.

Trying a New Workout Plan

I’ve gone from working out 4-5 days a week pre-pandemic to almost no exercise at all and it’s been challenging to get motivated to get back to work. When I started to feel the most depressed a couple weeks ago, cooped up at home and feeling generally unfulfilled, I knew I could control some of this by just doing something for myself like working out.

My mom reminded me how working out has always helped me feel more balanced and calm and that I should get back to it for my mental health alone.

So I’ve been making it a routine to workout each morning after I feed the dogs and keep it simple. I might go on the elliptical for 15-20 minutes followed by some sort of strength training for 15 minutes. Starting at 30 minutes is the perfect length of time for me to keep at it, plus I’m so out of shape that I’m already sore with just 15 minutes of strength training four times a week. I’m hoping to build up from here, but I’m starting small and slow and it’s already had a positive impact on my mental health.

I have a three sets of free weights, a stationary bike, an elliptical, kettle bell, lots of bands, a bench, a BOSU ball and TRX straps in my workout room–nothing too crazy and it’s enough to switch up each time I work out.

H&M sweatshirt | Good American jeans | Everlane boots | Abby Alley necklace