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Quarantine Bright Sides

3/24/2020

It’s week 2 of social distancing over here and I’ve been making all the plans for how to spend this time well. As I bring in inspiration and ideas for the week ahead, I thought I should share them!

I’ll be sharing homeschooling resources (for those of you who are also suddenly finding yourselves doing this with your kiddos), recipes that take comfort food to the next level, hobbies to jump into with your extra hours, and the best uplifting reads, music, media and more to nourish your spirit.

We are truly in this together. God remains God. We’re going to be ok, so let’s take some time to reframe and find the bright side.

1. Homeschooling

Here is the link to the weekly plan I’ve made for K that uses some of the incredible free online resources available to us right now!
Some resources that I love right now for online learning:
1. Storyline Online (Stories read by celebrities)
2. Prodigy (Math)
3. Audible (Free children’s audio books!)
4. Epic (Read-to-Me stories for developing readers)
5. Teachers Pay Teachers (Filter for Free Resources)
6. BrainPop (For instantly accessible lessons and follow up activities on every subject from music to science and more)
7. Duolingo (For free foreign language instruction that’s also super fun)

2. Family Time

Whether you’re quarantining with your kids, your roommate, or your parents, hopefully you’re getting a chance to get more quality time with your people. Here are some awesome ways to spend it:

Movie marathon! We would suggest Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, Nora Ephron rom-coms, and the Pirates of the Carribean Movies
Movie theater at home! If you haven't heard, movies that would have been in theaters are coming to your home for streaming instead. Pop some popcorn with your people and try Emma or, starting Easter weekend the new Trolls movie! My foster daughter will absolutely flip for this.
Game Night! We have blown through SO MANY BOARD GAMES over the last week! I’ve been really enjoying slow and methodical games like Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, and Ticket to Ride, but if you want something more fast paced, try One Night Werewolf or Avalon.
Family Dinners! Well we can’t go out and we can’t have people over so what better time to prioritize family dinner! Ask intentional questions and take time to connect with one another over a regularly scheduled family meal.

3. Uplifting Content

You gotta love all the positivity that is pouring out of the internet these days. Some of the content I’ve come across in the last week has been deeply moving and stuck with me as I continue to try and find a silver lining and healthy perspective even in difficult times. Here are some of my favorites:

Bridgetown Church Teaching: 5 Practices for Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence:
Billy Graham brings a word for our times. This gave me chills from the minute it started. This clip is less than a minute but very worth the time:
The “Who is More” filter on Instragram stories! This one is just fun and a great way to add laughter to your day
@justmyenneatype “Navigating the Wilderness of Covid” series on Instagram - talk about a PERFECT way to find spiritual direction for the week
The @thatsnotcancelled instagram account is bring all the quarantine ideas and is a hub of bright sides.
Psalm 91. If you haven’t read it, read it.

4. Hobbies

There’s no time like the present to try a new hobby! Our generation is often accused of not being able to have a hobby without making it a side hustle. This would be the perfect time to find a creative outlet that is just for your personal enrichment, not for work or money, but just to care for yourself and cultivate your creativity.

Embroidery: Ok so my embroidering and sewing hobby basically took over my winter and it’s still something I reach for when I need my hands to be busy while my mind focuses on something else. It’s almost meditative for me and it's a breeze to learn. Here’s my pinterest board to bring you some inspiration:
Stepping up your Make-up Game: If you’ve always wanted to know how to do your make-up better, this would be the perfect time to experiment! Here are some to start with!
Reading: My friend Abby and I are in a reading challenge and it’s giving me the motivation I needed to get back to steady reading! If your looking for some recs, try The Family Upstairs (thriller), The Selection (FAST read and super fun), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (perfect family read-aloud and classic to get to if you haven’t yet)
Digital Planning: Ben got me an iPad for Christmas and I’ve been OBSESSED with digital planning ever since. Start with Creating with Lucy, on Insta and youtube and then search up other ideas. This is my go-to right now for keeping my brain feeling organized and my type-A heart content.
Journalling: My friend Christon very wisely said the other day that this is a time for the history books and someday our kids will want to know what we were up to on these quarantined days. Here are some prompts that might help you jump into journaling:

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Making the Most of This Week

3/18/2020

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Well hi everyone! You don’t need me to tell you that this has been a truly crazy few days and if you’re anything like me, your days suddenly look a lot different than they used to. It’s hard to suddenly see your kids home from school, your people shut in their homes, and so many of our friends and family either working from home or unable to work. It feels a little like living in a movie and it’s hard to wrap your mind around.

Basically we’re finding ourselves in a situation where either panic or denial are the easiest places to go in your mind. This post is in resistance to that. In this situation, I see opportunity. I see potential to know Jesus better. There are bright places to find in the storm.

In the summer, I share a “Little Things” newsletter with recommendations for things to watch, listen to, and read, every week. Here, you’ll find the same! New and uplifting things to try and take in if you find you suddenly have more time on your hands and you feel moved to use it well. I’m also adding a spiritual development category because in my own life, this week is my week to break down spiritual strongholds and grow nearer to Jesus because time can no longer be my excuse.

God works all things together for his good and so there is good to be found. Here are some ideas.

To Read:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: I cannot recommend this book enough. God is using it to transform my heart. I can’t speak this strongly enough - if you don’t have anything to read, make it this.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: I’ve recommended this book before, but if you’re in need of a sweet and lighthearted read to get you through, this is my favorite by far.
Little Fires Everywhere: This book becomes a series on Hulu tomorrow! It’s a Reese Witherspoon pick and totally engaging. It will suck you right in.

To Watch:

Brooklynn Nine-Nine: I’m obsessed with the Office and it has always been my go-to comfort show, but I’ve been looking for a short, funny, fall asleep show and my whole quarantined fam has loved this one.
Bon Appetit’s Youtube: This channel is a gold mine and perfect for my fellow Food Network junkies. I absolutely love it.
Troop Zero: My parents were crazy about this one! I hear is has strong Sandlot vibes and is a sweet pick for older families.

To Listen To:

The Daily: I DO NOT need tons of news in my life right now. I want to be intentional about who is speaking into my mind in these times and I’m loving this as a daily resource.
Fresh Air Playlist: I’m A LOT more cooped up these days. We are still getting out for daily hikes, but this playlist feels like fresh air.
House to House Playlist: As I’m working from my parents’ kitchen table, this is playing in the background the whole time. I am working on being in a state of inner prayer at all times and this is helping.

Spiritual Development:

House to House Teaching: I’m learning so much from this church right now and, not surprisingly, this teaching rocked my world yesterday. This is a perfect addition to your quiet time.
Psalm 91: This scripture feels like a song of our times. I am so comforted by the ongoing relevancy of God’s word. He is GOOD. Let this soothe your soul today.
Rock City Teaching: Rock City leads well in our city. Check out this teaching ad

I saw this quote on social media this morning:
“Conversations will not be cancelled.
Relationships will not be cancelled.
Love will not be cancelled.
Songs will not be cancelled.
Reading will not be cancelled.
Self-care will not be cancelled.
Hope will not be cancelled.

May we lean into the good stuff that remains.”

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Quarantine Bright Sides

1. Homeschooling

2. Family Time

3. Uplifting Content

4. Hobbies

Making the Most of This Week

To Read:

To Watch:

To Listen To:

Spiritual Development:

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