What To Do at Home (beyond Netflix)

I don’t know what you’ve dealt with in the last week, but I have been getting my daughters settled after their colleges have closed (one for the rest of the semester, the other until mid April), cancelling trips and plans (was taking my parents to see my sister and new baby and celebrate their 79th and 80th birthdays), and trying to practice social distancing in hopes we can mitigate a colossal outbreak (heavy sigh). So, in light of the fact that watching the news too much isn’t good for you and being a couch potato and binging on Netflix only works so long before you’re stir crazy, I’m been thinking about more active things to do while I’m staying at home more and more. Some of my ideas are…..

1. Clean Your Your Closet/Medicine Cabinet. If you go back through my recent posts, I’ve given some tips on how to do this and will share more in the next days. Meanwhile Cassandra Grey, founder of beauty site Violet Grey offers tips on how to spring clean your vanity/medicine cabinet.
2. Get Good at Something That Slightly Intimidates You. Mine is baking, and I really want to perfect a couple of things, including the apple tart pictured above from Dorrie Greenspan (recipe here). Also thinking about learning to make my own pasta, which is relatively easy but I never have the patience (since pasta has become a commodity at this point, it might be a wise move).
3. Choose Old-Fashioned Fun. Puzzles, card games, backgammon, Monopoly, or try a more high tech version of something classic like doing the crossword online with your mom over the phone or other online games. (A friend says the NY Times Spelling Bee is keeping her sane right now. I’m going to try it out.)
4. Send a Letter or Gift. While you should call friends and parents and grandparents, why not also write someone a letter? Or share a favorite recipe or poem? Or send a small thoughtful gift in the mail? My new favorite hand cream is by Henne Organics, it has a subtle beautiful smell and another plus (but rather sad considering) is that it is a way to keep you from touching your hands to your face. It works.
5. Read, Read, Read. An old classic that you’ve avoided. An old favorite. Something motivational. Something historical. Or order a new book that let’s you dream a little like Athena Calderone’s new Live Beautiful.