Now that the novel coronavirus has sent workers and students home, closed businesses and cancelled events, it is going to be important to create new routines and find meaningful ways to spend our long days at home.
The following organising tasks are simple and will help you structure your day and create a small sense of control.
Organise and minimise your inbox
Spend 15 minutes deleting and filing emails. You’ll be amazed at how much you can lighten your inbox in a small amount of time. For bonus points, do this every day for a full week.
Meal planning
The upside to not going into the office is that you don’t have to pack lunch. But on the other hand, with everyone at home, you will have to make three meals a day. Spend 20 minutes one day a week thinking through lunches and dinners. This will make mealtimes feel less stressful and rushed, and you can make sure you have everything you need in advance. With stores having uneven inventory, ensuring you can prepare what you want is important.
Clean your car
If you have a car, this is the perfect time to clean it. This activity has the extra bonus of getting you outside for a portion of your day.
Start by taking everything out, and then wipe down the surfaces and vacuum the floors and seats. Finish by cleaning the windows inside and out. This is something your family can help with.
Deep clean your kitchen cabinets
This is an activity that you don’t have to do all at once, but it will keep you busy for 30 minutes each day for a couple of days. Take things out of your drawers and cabinets and wipe down the insides.
Put items that you no longer want or use in a bag for donation, and toss expired food. Put things back neatly. Wipe down both the inside and outside of your cabinet doors and all of the pulls, too.
Write down goals for the rest of 2020
Some of us made a list of goals at the beginning of the year, but if you didn’t, now is a good time to make one. It will help you visualise life after the coronavirus and help you prioritise in the coming months.
If you already have a list, take a look and revise as necessary. If you’re making a new list, be sure to include larger home projects you would like to complete, ideas for things you want to do with your family and professional goals.
-Adapted from Independent
