Hi friends,

I wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you.. and wanted to see how you’re holding up! Who would’ve thought we would be spending part of the year like this? I’m feeling very grateful that I have a home to “shelter in place” in and that my family is healthy but it sure is quite the curveball we’ve been thrown.

To be totally honest, I. feel like I haven’t known how to show up lately. Should I stop talking about real estate? Should I put my business on hold? When we are suddenly experiencing a “new normal” it has you questioning everything! I decided that what felt right was to reach out to my people. To support my local community in any way that I can. To remain grateful and positive as we go through this together.

I also wanted to share some fun too in hopes of spreading positivity! I created this list of things to do while I shelter in place that I’m following myself but thought I’d share it here too! Here it is:

1. STOP WATCHING THE NEWS! The media is the cause of many people’s anxiety right now. One minute you hear one thing, the next minute you hear something new or worse. Try staying off the news channels and scrolling past the articles on social media. If you want to be kept up to date, figure out a way to quickly check out the info you want without watching the news every single day and being sucked down a rabbit hole of negativity.

2. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for daily! Gratitude changes our attitude! Maybe we are getting bored at home, sick of being home school teachers to our kiddos, or stressed juggling all the things combined with working from home. Whatever struggles you’re facing, there are still things to be grateful for. Write them down before you get out of bed or before you go to bed (OR BOTH)! Tell me something you’re grateful for right now!

3. Get outside and move your body DAILY – A long walk, a bike ride or an outdoor workout can do wonders for our mental health right now. Just getting fresh air and getting out of the house will feel great. Even if all you do is a quick lap around the neighborhood, try to get outside daily.

4. Replace the word “QUARANTINE” with self-care sabbatical – Words hold SO MUCH POWER. Just by replacing the mindset that you’re stuck at home with “safe at home” and thinking of it as a self-care sabbatical where you read more, spend more quality time with your spouse or kiddos, and finally get around to starting a garden, you’ll instantly have a better mindset.

5. Have an online happy hour with your friends – Create a free zoom account, pour yourself a glass of wine, and text your friends and family you’re missing to set up a time to chat (face to face)! You can even download apps like House Party to play games with friends or Netflix Party which is a Google Chrome extension where you can watch Netflix in sync with your friends! Talk about HAPPY!

6. Support Local Businesses – Share their posts, order online from a local boutique, order gift cards, order curbside pickup, reach out and ask how you can help! Now is the time to give back to the places that keep our community going strong!

7. Read a new book! We always seem to complain, complain, complain about how much we have to do, and wear busy like it’s a badge of honor. Well, now we have some free time so use it to do something you’ve been wanting to do that you haven’t had time for. Join a virtual book club or online bible study. Pick up that new romance novel you’ve been wanting to read! Goal: Read 1 chapter a day (for those of you who say you still don’t have time)!

8. Watch your favorite show or movie: When’s the last time you watched Father of the Bride or Anchorman? Head to Amazon Prime or Netflix and stream a classic favorite. Or binge-watch your favorite TV show of all time. Have you been wanting to re-watch Gilmore Girls or Desperate Housewives? Start Friends over from the beginning? Turn on an episode while you get ready for the day or before you head to bed! Guaranteed to make you happy!

9. Bake your favorite dessert – INDULGE! Whether you have kids or not, spend some time in the kitchen! Have Alexa play your favorite Pandora station or catch up on your favorite podcast while you bake up a yummy treat. For me, it’s chocolate chip cookies! What are you baking?

10. Make a new recipe with pantry staples – Keep your apron on for this one! See what you can make just by using stuff you already have. Think pasta, veggies, cheese, sauce!

Cheers to making the most of this time at home and staying healthy!

Dawn

PS: And if there is anything you need or if you just want to chat, please hit reply or send me a message! Thinking of you and your family and sending all the healthy vibes your way!