Anyone else need a distraction?
I know I definitely do! The COVID-19 crisis is in full effect and while I don't mind being a homebody, I am missing some aspects of my daily routine. So let's talk about a few things to help keep us all sane, shall we?
First off, podcasts are a wonderful distraction! Seriously, there are podcasts on every topic you could think of: current news, parenting, money, retirement, books, true crime, drinking...everything under the sun. When podcasts are on I feel like I am involved in a conversation between some friends and it helps to feel less alone in this huge world. The beauty is you can take this everywhere. Going for a walk with the pups? Need some motivation while you clean? Long commute ahead and you want some company (for those of us still going into work)? Turn on a podcast and listen wherever you are! May I suggest our podcast, What Happens in the Woods? Shameless plug, I know... but you can't blame me!
Speaking of walks; nature is amazing and we probably should appreciate it more. It's a little more difficult to get out right now with all that's going on, and some of us across the globe are being kept entirely inside, but even a view out the window can be a distraction. When the sun makes an appearance here in the Pacific Northwest, we truly appreciate it. Sitting by the window or on the front porch to soak up that Vitamin D is just the thing.
Some other things to consider may be finding an older movie you missed and always wanted to see. Or how about family game night? I recently found an app that lets you play Cards Against Humanity in a chat room with other members, so maybe play with someone long distance that you can't visit right now. Crafting is also a huge source of a stress relief for me. I've recently planned to make macrame wall hangings, some diversive cross stitch patterns and of course crochet and knit all manner of useful things (Yes, Mara, your macrame and floor pouf are on that list).
Something else that has brought joy into my life was the Netflix show "Tiger King". Anyone else scrolling through Facebook or Instagram laughing their ass off at all the Joe Exotic memes? As crazy as all that was, those 7 episodes have provided a much needed relief during this stressful time. Joe Exotic and the rest of this cast came just in time to save us from the Coronavirus monotony. I for one, thank him and that bitch Carole Baskins for it.
As always though, my best stress relief has been and will always be reading.
I have been pacing myself as to how fast I am going through my book stash, keeping it to 1 book read per week. That should get me through this period of time that I'm off work. Although who knows if that will actually happen. So here are some books that I have read and a few that I can't wait to pick up!
Some literary nuggets to dive into:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Lost Woman by Sara Blaedel
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
And here is a little list of books I can't wait to start reading:
The Whisper Man by Alex North
The Dancing Girls by M.M. Chouinard
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
The Lake House by Kate Morton
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
I hope this little list of mine gives you some ideas. I stand by my recommendations whole heartedly for all of these books. Also, don't forget to just enjoy the days. They may go slowly or quickly, we may lose track of them, but we only get them once.
Until next time...stay safe and DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE, unless you absolutely have to!
Don't forget to tune in on April 3rd for Episode 4 of the podcast! This week we are talking about a murder that happened in Bellevue, WA: The Rafay Family Murders.
{ Jess }