Three Ways to Make the Best of All That Extra Time on Your Hands
Not everyone is experiencing these crazy times in the same way, but one thing that we can say for sure, no one is living the same life they were a month and a half ago. Our lives have all changed because of this pandemic and for a lot of us, one big change is that we have a whole lot more time on our hands. For many of us, the situation weighs heavy on our minds and hearts and instead of being productive, we might be clicking on “Next Episode” just a little too often, in an attempt to push the negative thoughts away. There is no lack of evidence that avoidance is a terrible way of dealing with difficult situations and feelings, so maybe it is time to get creative about how we entertain ourselves and how we fill our time. It is not too late to create a better narrative for all our future stories concerning “What we did during the pandemic of 2020.”
Write Letters
There are several reasons that writing a letter is a great way to spend some of your extra time. Examining and sharing our thoughts and feelings is cathartic while we go through something difficult or when we experience extreme challenges in our lives. Writing an actual letter is not like the social media “sharing” that we are all drowning in. A letter is a private discussion between you and a loved one, sharing details of your life that you want that person to know, relate to, or give you feedback on. A letter is a piece of handmade art that the recipient can keep and cherish. It is something that can be taken out later and examined, bringing the thoughts and feelings from a time, back to us for nostalgia, and to reflect upon. A letter can be more than a message, it can be a gift you make for the future.
In addition to the psychological benefits of writing actual letters, comes this interesting fact: If every household in America went online and bought a book of stamps, it would bail out the United Sates Postal Service, with no need for government aid.
Learn an Instrument
Music is one of the most soothing therapies known to man. Songs can be one of the strongest reminders of times gone by, transporting us back to moments we have lived, with vivid clarity. Learning an instrument can not only create a soundtrack for your experience right now, but in addition, art is considered the healthiest way of distracting yourself from negative thoughts. The added benefit of creating music in your life is that it is something you take with you, making the future a brighter place to look forward to. Learning an instrument is a gift you give yourself that keeps on giving, forever.
There are several online tutoring options, and even more, unemployed teachers, waiting for a student.
Therapy
As much as isolation and uncertainty have given us a new appreciation for the past, for most of us, things were not perfect before, either. A lot of us are carrying around old injuries and burdens, whether those be emotional or physical. It is a perfect time to start working on getting to a better state of being, whether you need a physical therapist to coach you through a chronic pain you were ignoring, or psychologist to talk you through some issues that you have been struggling with. All types of therapies are now offered remotely through many existing and emerging, online platforms, and are right at your fingertips.
We are experiencing something extraordinary in human history, and with diligence and intelligence, we will come through it stronger and wiser. The time is now to change this “new normal” into something you will want to remember, because you used the time to improve yourself in a way that makes you thankful.
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