25 things I should probably do during quarantine instead of writing this post
This post about to do lists and other things I should be doing during quarantine contains affiliate and referral links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the appropriate links. You can learn more in my Disclosure Policy. As always, thank you for your support.
Ready for the change?
I think it’s a given that things will be different after this coronavirus quarantine-inspired new normal that we’re experiencing together. Whether we like it or not, things are going to change. The question is: will we be ready for the change? What can I do to be ready for the new world that emerges after this pivot our society is experiencing.
More than a dozen years ago, I lamented the fact that it appeared that the church had missed an opportunity when society was on the verge of a hinge-type moment*. I believe that was a precursor. The real hinge could be happening right now. And I wonder how many of us, both inside and outside the church, are ready.
Because the times they are a-changin’.
They grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns
Sir Isaac Newton
I recently heard the story of how Sir Isaac Newton went into quarantine during The Great Plague of London in the mid 17th century. He spent his time studying, observing, analyzing, and experimenting. It was his Annus mirabilis – a year of wonders. When he returned to Cambridge, he had established the rules for calculus, proven that white light is a spectrum of color, and set the groundwork for understanding the Laws of Motion.
William Shakespeare
It really shouldn’t be a surprise that Shakespeare’s life was also impacted by plague. Of course it did. It shaped everyone’s life in those days. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Eh?
Some scholars believe Shakespeare penned Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, and Macbeth while under quarantine during the early part of the 17th century. The plague also shows up in Romeo and Juliet.
I can’t imagine high school without Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet. Can you? I didn’t think so.
The Great Recession of 2008#
Slack. Venmo. Uber. All of these (and more) were born out of the Great Recession of 2008. They say necessity is the mother of invention. You could probably also say that hardship brings innovation.
How about now?
Now’s the time, I guess. Some are predicting that approximately one third of the American working population will file for unemployment by the time all of this is said and done+. The time is ripe for amazing new innovations, discoveries, and inventions. We can also unleash our creative spirit as we watch this new age unfold before us. There’s a lot we can do to navigate this hardship and come out even stronger on the other end of this.
So how do we pivot? What should we be doing now to redeem the time that we have? I don’t know the answer. But here are some ideas that I’m considering. Some will have long-term effects. Others will only be helpful in the short-term. I definitely won’t do all of them. I might do a few. There’s a chance I might not do any. Who knows?
Maybe they’ll spark something in you.
25 things I should be doing instead of writing this post:
- Write the next great American novel. OK, maybe not the next great American novel, but I do have three…no…FOUR!… different book ideas swirling around in my soul. It’s time to get pen to paper on one of them.
- Become a better cook. Mihret thinks I should become “a cooker.” Wouldn’t hurt to keep getting better at it!
- Learn how to play the guitar (or another instrument).
- Start a podcast. Something inside me has wanted to do a podcast for years. If I do it, I need to set out a plan for the long-haul, though.
- Make something. Darn Good Yarns has some fun crafts. And they help empower women around the world.
- Help Mihret with her YouTube channel.
- Read.
- Take a class. The Muse has a good list. I’m sure there are others.
- Visit a museum. Virtually, of course. My friend Lori put together a pretty great list of some pretty great stuff that museums are doing while they’re closed.
- Clean out and organize the garage.
- Make a movie.
- Start making gifts for Christmas. I know March felt like it lasted four years, but Christmas will be here before we know it. Maybe I’ll even help my kids make some Advent calendars.
- Speaking of Advent…write a series of Advent devotions.
- Figure out some memorable way to celebrate Aly’s graduation.
- Make someone’s day by sending them ice cream. Or scones. Or flowers.
- Invest in a few chickens and meat goats.
- Plant a garden.
- Finish watching Season One of The Mandalorian**.
- Take regular walks**.
- Make a list of all of the places you want to visit once we’re given the “all clear.” Plan the plan. Then execute the plan (eventually).
- Write letters to friends and family. Send them.
- Drink water. Seriously.
- Plan a series of themed date nights that we can do during quarantine.
- Make memories. Have regular game time with the whole family. I know things are crazy. For families like ours, though, this is a special, unexpected bonus time where all of us are together for an extended time. It’s probably the last opportunity we have like this before everyone leaves the nest.
- Rest. Like, really, truly rest. I have more to say about this, but you’ll have to wait. It’s one of the four books I’m planning on writing.
Let’s get moving!
Well, there’s some ideas for you. It’s highly unlikely that any of us will be the next Sir Isaac Newton or William Shakespeare, but, all of us can start doing things to be ready to live life to its fullest in this new post-coronavirus quarantine age. Because it does behoove us to live, after all!
So, stay home. Stay healthy. And let’s do this!
Virtual high five!
Endnotes
*That post talks about how I’m a fan of Glenn Beck. I was. He was entertaining. Either my tastes have changed or he’s changed or some combination of the two because I haven’t listened to him for years – maybe even a decade.
#I know. That’s a pretty big jump from the 17th century to the 21st century. this really isn’t a history lesson, though, and I think you get the point I was trying to make.
+ As of now, it’s technically 32%, which is pretty dang close to one third. The highest unemployment rate during the Great Depression was “only” 25%. Think about that…
**I know. Don’t judge me.
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