What to Do in the Latest Lockdown?

 Things to Do to Make the Latest Lockdown Pass Quickly

It seems we've been lurching from one type of lockdown to another.  The objective with these suggestions is to help you see the passage of time and to be able to say that after the six weeks, you accomplished something.  I've tried to limit the activities that use a screen.  I like a screen - you and I are using one now - but we need a break.  

1. Use a calendar

Crossing off the days helps us see the goal (the end of the lockdown) getting closer each day.  

Consider making each day of the week different (e.g., Sundays are breakfast for dinner; Thursdays are games night)

You might use The Zones of Regulations at the start and end of each day. Use the relevant marker to put your initial on the date. 

Blue Zone: you're sad or tired.

Green: you're happy or calm

Yellow: you're frustrated or worried

Red: you're mad or angry (or out of control)

2. Create an activities jar

This is kind of like the Job Jar.  Instead, each member makes a list of things they like to do as a family.  Pull one out on a regular basis or when things are getting 'low'.  Suggestions include: movie night, singing karaoke Disney songs; jigsaws; scavenger hunt in the house/backyard.

3. The meals

Share the meal planning and preparation according to everyone's skill level.  

Each family member chooses one meal to plan and prepare. (and if someone orders in, accept it; they've taken ownership for the ordering but also the prepping for eating!)

4. The Job Jar

Make a list of six things (one per week) to do in the house or your bedroom (curate your stuffies) or garden (add the mulch to garden). 

Keep the tasks small and doable.

After the six weeks are over, you can say - 'See, this is better than before.'

5. Map and explore your neighbourhood     

Use Google maps to map out biking/walking routes of a certain distance from your house.  

(Right click on the map of your neighbourhood; a drop-down appears; see 'Measure distance'.)

Record how many kilometres you covered over the six weeks.  

6. Take a camera with you on your walks/biking

Share the photos with family that haven't seen your neighbourhood in a while.

Find a plant or tree and document its changes over the 6 weeks.

7. Set one 'me' goal per week

This is different from the Job Jar.  This is about you.  

The goal can be something big or small that having accomplished it (or even started it), you feel good.  Suggestions include: start learning a new language - maybe sign language; use a new recipe; organize your photos; start practising a musical instrument.

Small is good.  Too big, it can be overwhelming.  Sometimes just taking one small step is the way to get started.  

8. Make a Looking Forward list: What are you most anticipating doing?

Share or not.  Small or big.  We need something to look forward to.

Try going beyond 'Hugging my grandchildren and their parents!' - okay for some of us, that's at the top of the list, but after that, what keeps us going?

9. Make a list of the positives from this past year+: 

This came up in a family conversation recently.  

One of us became an entrepreneur (she has her own mask-making business); another brought her plants home from the office and is enjoying her green thumb and adding to her bird watching skills.  John has been perfecting his singing, guitar playing, and use of music technology. I've learned to code using Scratch (thanks to grandson Luke) and tried my hand at various arts and craft projects (thanks to granddaughter Florence).  We've all become accomplished Zoom callers and have agreed that might be the way forward for some interactions.

10. Finally, remember gratitude

Take time to breathe; take time to remember the daily things for which we are grateful.  

Be specific (I'm grateful I used the time to write this post; I'm grateful you took the time to read it).

Make it part of your mealtimes together.

Give everyone the chance to pass; sometimes it's hard to find something.  

Finally, we all so want this to be over.  

Be kind to those who are feeling anxious about all of this.

 Have empathy for those who don't have the patience we think they should have.  

Be grateful for all of those who are helping us get through this.