Productivity Planner!! Roll the dice* to make things nice!
(*yes, we know dice is plural. But die doesn't rhyme and sounds weird)
Bored? Demotivated? Can't get yourself out of a slump? Yeah, us too, this can be a tricky time when mood can drop and the tedium of the same 4 walls can mean we don't feel like doing anything much.
But sometimes you just have to GET MOVING on SOMETHING! So when you can't decide - use our handy tool. Grab a dice, roll it and go to the number to be TOLD what you should get up and get on with :)
Restore Order!!
This one's all about sorting out some chaos ... no, not in your head and not in the wider world. Think smaller than that.
If you can bring order to something it'll help you feel productive AND more in control. And hey - you'll get something sorted out too so win-win!
So what could you do? Tidy something? a drawer? Make your bed? Tip out your bag and clean our all the grot in the bottom?!
Or think wider ... ironing is often very soothing because of getting rid of all those creases. But yeah not everyone likes that. Fold stuff? Some people love to fold things into drawers ...
Or more fun stuff - think taking lots of bits and putting them together into something - puzzles, lego, Meccano all work!
Achieve Something
One of the biggest challenges of isolation and lockdown and limitation is that we're unable to do so many of the things that usually make us feel productive and like we're GETTING SOMEWHERE and DOING SOMETHING! And that feeling can trigger despair and make us feel super flat - so overcome it by thinking of something you CAN DO instead of all the things you CAN'T!
Could you learn a new skill? How's your juggling? Try some yoyo tricks? Dig out that old Rubix cube and google how to ACTUALLY do it?!
Or can you make a plan to do something each day and complete it? Maybe work through a simple exercise plan, build some strength or get more flexible?
Make Something
So ... there's nothing more depressing than feeling like you are just filling time. So don't - turn it into an achievement and MAKE something with this time you have on your hands.
Think crafty stuff - paper craft (cards, painting, even origami?!), needlework (honestly cross stitch is easier than you think!), bracelet making (we've a 'how to' guide right here on HS). Or bake or cook something - could be you do dinner tonight?! Or make a truly awesome cake (check out our 'top5 icing' recipes if so!), or go with chutney or something a bit more unusual?!
Or go creative - whether it is poetry, or writing, or just letter writing - what could you do?
Reach Out
So - you're isolated and bored and on your own - but so are lots of other people. In this moment can you reach out to someone else?
Obviously this could be a simple thing - a message, zoom call or phone chat with someone. But think outside the box - is there someone you haven't spoken to in ages? Or someone who it would particularly mean a lot to to hear from you?
Think about more unusual ways to reach out too. You could make something to send to someone (and get someone else to post it if you are isolating!). Find a favourite verse and send it over to someone who might need to hear it? Or send someone a song, link or program that might just lift their day.
Who are you gonna call?
Get Out There
Ok, so disclaimer here - if you are isolating this one is a LOT more limited! But it really lifts our mood to get outside and have some kind of contact with nature - and one of the most difficult things about being cooped up, especially in these darker days, is the lack of contact with OUTSIDE.
So think about HOW you can get some of this - even in your limitation/restrictions.
Could you get into a garden or find an outside space you are allowed to go to? If you are just locked down then you can take walks or go to parks etc - if you are isolating this could be your garden or something as simple as sitting on the doorstep with a hot drink and enjoying the feel of cold air on your face.
OR - get somewhere you can see the sky. This is simpler - but its a connection with the outside anyway. Find a window or somewhere you can see the sky and take a moment. Watch the clouds - or the stars. Just for a moment let your mind wonder at how big the world is. This is a great way to connect with someone else too - you may be far apart but you can look at the same stars ... so why not call them and do this together?
Make it Measurable!
So one of the things that may well happen in this season is that you might find yourself feeling guilty for stuff. Or just doing stuff without really thinking about it.
Did you know this could be a missed opportunity to GET SOMEWHERE and LIFT YOUR MOOD?!
So why not turn something that COULD feel negative and instead turn it into an achievement. So don't feel bad for watching that Netflix boxset - PLAN for it - watch one a day and get through the set! Or schedule a designated chill-out zone every day and REALLY plan it well - throw yourself into it instead of feeling guilty.
Think about stuff you DO and might NOT NOTICE - your brain is so good at highlighting the negatives and the things you feel like you are NOT achieving - but look at all you ARE doing g.
So think about how you can make things measurable - think ticking lists off, charting what you are doing, pausing at the end of each day and writing down three good things from that day - and do it throughout the time you are restricted.
