What's on Your Menu?

As we enter a period of “stay at home” in Chicago, most of my sessions have been about COVID-19 and how to adjust to being at home with restricted outside activities for an extended period of time.  Many people (including me) are struggling to find balance between staying informed and not over-consuming media/news. 

A great piece of advice I found was to not reread news articles I’ve already read.  Pick the new outlets that you trust and then read a particular news article only once. 

You can also turn off notifications for news apps on your phone.  When you want news you can go and read the sources you trust.

It’s important to keep to your schedule with basic needs, food, sleep, shower, exercise, spiritual practice.

Another is to have strategies for what to do when you don’t want to be tied to your phone or social media.  I’ve talked with my clients about creating a menu of activities or possibilities.  I choose the word “menu” very specifically:  it’s not a schedule, and it’s not a to-do list.   A menu is something you can pick up and browse and choose items from, when you don’t want to pick up your phone or read more news.

When I think of menu items, some items may be in the categories of appetizer, entrée, side, or dessert.  With your activity menu, if you want appetizers 3 times in a row, that’s ok.  Or “dessert for breakfast” that’s also ok. It’s about having a living document you can use when you have that moment of questioning what to do.  And maybe if 3 days have gone by and you haven’t had any veggies, perhaps consider a “veggie” item on your menu. 

I’ve also encouraged people to put this menu on paper, and to make it pretty if you’re crafty.  It’s easy to get lost in the news when picking up a phone, so ideally this lives outside electronic media.

Some of the great suggestions my clients have come up with are things like (in no particular order): 

  • Online book club

  • Give an online presentation about something you are passionate about

  • Dance Party via video

  • Create and curate music playlists (and share on social media)

  • Dance in your house

  • Cocktail hour with friends (with video)

  • Dinner party with friends (using video)

  • Read a book

  • Clean a closet

  • Create a space for donation items

  • Sort and upload photos

  • Play games:  either online with others, or in person if have people in the house with them

  • Do a jigsaw puzzle

  • Experiment with cooking / recipes

  • In-home personal training

  • Yoga via youtube or other channel

  • Stretch for 5 minutes (or whatever time is right for you)

  • Breathe - I recommend 3 breathes, with a 4 count for inhale and a 4 count for the exhale. Do this many times a day.

  • Meditate

  • Listen to your body.  If it says “I’m tired” Take a 10 minute lie down.  If it says, “I want to move” get up and dance, stretch, or move. 

  • Interact with a pet

  • Connect via phone or video with a friend or loved one

  • Connect with someone who might need support (logistical or emotional)

  • Netflix Party

  • Masturbate (solo sex)

  • Partnered Sex (with someone you are already quarantined with)

  • Phone or Video sex with a partner

  • Do a craft item (insert your craft here)

  • Learn a new skill (what’s something you want to learn more about?  I personally want to learn more about Lightroom or Photoshop)

  • Watch a TV show

  • Take a walk

  • Take a walk with a friend virtually (on phone or video as you both walk)

  • Make you home into a sanctuary (do dishes, light candles, create nesting places)

  • Make an indoor tent or fort (good for adults, kids and pets).

  • Build something

  • Grow Plants

  • Can Foods

  • Do a tarot reading

  • Reach out to someone who may need support…think about people who live alone who may need extra support at this time

  • If you are social distancing with someone, have a date night (friend or romantic). Plan an activity, make it intentional time (no phones), light candles, dress up.

  • Read a book out loud to someone (virtual or in person).

  • Put your food on nice dishes - even the comfort food. Make it look special.

  • Use chalk to write messages or draw art on sidewalks (following physical distancing protocols).

What’s on “your” menu for this time?  Your choice as to which category you put things in:  appetizer, entrée, side, or dessert.

carrie jameson