We’ve all suddenly found ourselves spending a lot more time at home, and it’s starting to feel like we may be here for a bit. At first it felt great to Netflix and seriously chill for awhile. But if you’re anything like us, that got old real quick. So now what? We asked team Fernish, and compiled a list of the top 10 things to do if you’re going crazy while stuck at home.
Adopt a dog.
It’s the perfect time to adopt a pet — maybe even a puppy — with all this extra time at home. Local animal rescues and shelters are still looking to find homes for their animals, and they’ll work with you to set up a private adoption appointment following social distance guidelines. Bonus points: another reason to take that extra walk.
Not just one, but two of the Fernish team members have already given homes to adorable pups. Taylor added a second dog to her family with the addition of Hudson, a mischievous four-month old beagle mix who’s only crashed through her screen door once so far. And Liz adopted the sweetest four year old pooch named Jade.
Learn to bake.
Baking is a science most of us haven’t really mastered, but who doesn’t want the option to make brownies, bread, cookies, and all other things carb-related any time they want?
Our very own Scott is one who certainly has mastered the craft. Dubbing himself an “Italian grandmother in his past life,” he’s truly perfected the recipe for a country rustic style of bread. Check out that loaf! Here’s hoping we can convince him to cater team breakfasts once we’re back in the office. Happy carbo loading, Scott!
Play Animal Crossing (and apply those skills in real life).
Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch seems to have taken over daily conversations with friends. If you’re not already playing, then you’ve definitely been out of the loop. In the game, you can create your own character, build a home, interact with cute animals villagers, and more seemingly real-life activities.
Being a professional Fernish-er, Kirsten took it up a notch and chose to work on her interior design skills through Animal Crossing. She even designed her room with a bed frame similar to our very own Monarch style. Pro tip: you can even visit real-life friends through the game, another way to keep in touch!
Make the most of your outdoor space.
It’s still important, both for your health and your sanity, to get fresh air and sunshine. So even if you only have a small balcony, invest in some outdoor furniture. Looking for a relaxation space? Opt for a comfy sofa set or lounger. Think your background noise level might be suitable for Zoom calls? Something more functional like a folding chair and table will probably do the trick (and fit on your teeny tiny patio).
Speaking of, check out our Del Rey patio set in Lucas’s backyard! The rest of us often get super jealous of his sunny backdrop during company calls, he’s clearly doing this whole staying home thing right.
Do an outdoor workout.
Speaking of getting outside, take some of those opportunities to get your sweat on! Sure, it’s super convenient to stream a fitness class in your living room, but since most of our time is already being spent in our living rooms, why not hit the streets (or your backyard)?
Daniel (or DQ as we know him) has started up a “30 days of something” challenge on his Instagram account. Friends and co-workers are joining him live to get their workouts in — and it’s super inspiring! Earlier this week he got his flow on with some outdoor yoga, and just so happened to catch a beautiful sunset at the same time. Another team member, Tye, has been running every day to stay energized and feeling good. Go team!
Start a new project.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn, or do, but never had the time? Well guess what — now you do! Bust out that sewing machine (or whatever you’ve got), and get something started! Having a project to work on (other than actual work of course) can really help keep your mind busy and beef up your routine. It’ll also be a great sense of accomplishment once you get it done.
Quite a few people on our team have become expert crafters during these last few weeks. Not only did Megan improve her sewing skills, she started making her own mask (talk about a great use of time), Kristin has been learning to crochet with different squares and patterns. She plans to make them all into one cozy throw blanket when she’s done. We also made her promise she’d bring it to the office one day.
Spruce up your home.
Home is more important now than ever, so not only does it need to meet our core needs, it also needs to make us feel good. Small things such as adding a cozy throw over your sofa or a rug in front of your favorite reading chair go a long way. You could also add a mirror to open up your space if you’re feeling cooped up, or some new lighting to brighten the mood.
Lucas has been spending quite a bit of time staring at his walls (just like the rest of us) and he realized they were in dire need of some new decor! Check out that new wall art, and his awesome hanging skills without the help of a TaskRabbit. Taking a slightly different route, DQ took the time to rearrange his bedroom last week. Three times to be exact.
Make all your plant baby dreams come true.
Plants have been proven to boost mood, decrease stress, improve indoor air quality, and even make us more calm and cooperative. Online services like Bloomscape and The Sill will deliver to your door, which is one easy way to get started and stick to social distancing right now. For those of us with a brown thumb, beginner-friendly varieties such as snake plants, pothos vines, and philodendrons are a safe bet.
Rachel wanted to expand her plant collection the free way, so she has been learning how to propagate her existing houseplants–specifically a pothos vine and a philodendron. It takes about 3 weeks to see new roots growing, but her patience will pay off when she can create her own indoor jungle. AJ on the other hand helped his sister with their outdoor patio! While they may no longer have room for outdoor furniture, they’ve sure reached #plantgoals.
Work on your routine.
There’s no time like the present to focus on yourself and make the best of a new normal. So take the time to figure out what your routine looks like, and what you could do to make it even better. Keeping some sense of normalcy in your daily life is super important for your mental health. So do whatever makes you feel good, and hold yourself accountable to doing it consistently.
Robin, the most recent addition to our parent club, has been figuring out how to balance working from home with being a new mom to Quincy. We’re all super jealous she gets to spend all day every day surrounded by this cuteness. To keep the energy up, they’ve mastered group naps — a necessary (and cuddly) part of their day. Props to Robin, because she’s been absolutely killing it!
Lean-in to your kids’ activities.
It’s the perfect time to spend quality time with family, especially now that you and your kids are both stuck at home! Figure out what your kids are excited about, and get involved! Maybe it’s coloring, maybe it’s dancing, or maybe it’s getting cozy on the sofa and playing Fortnite together. Odds are they have a better imagination than you do, so take advantage!
Major shoutout to Kim for hearing his kids’ desire for ice cream and turning it into a fun in-home project. No, they didn’t just head to the local ice cream shop… they made it themselves! Who doesn’t daydream about the ability to have an endless supply of ice cream? These kids are also yogis — and totally living their best lives right now.
Now that you’ve read what we’ve been doing, tell us about you? What’s been keeping you busy? Sound off in the comments!
