Favorite Things – Quarantine Edition

Hey friends and happy Friday! Today I thought it might be fun to share a few my current favorite things. These are things that are helping me to get through this strange self isolation quarantine time. Some are actual things. Others are just daily practices or rituals. But all ten of these things are real life savers right now!

In no particular order…….

1. VitaCup Coffee

You all, VitaCup coffee is seriously the smoothest coffee I’ve ever tasted. So smooth in fact that I could, emphasis on could, drink it black. But I’m not a crazy person, so I don’t. 😉 I’m way too loyal to my beloved creamer to do that anyway. But seriously, you all should try this coffee! It’s infused with MCT oil, cinnamon, turmeric, Vitamin D, and a blend of vitamins B1, B5, B6, B9, and B12! I’ve become mildly obsessed in the past couple weeks!

And I’m loving the tea as well.

2. My 5 Minute Makeup Routine

I’ve realized something about myself over the past few weeks, and that is that I put makeup on my face for no one else but myself. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to see anyone outside of my family or even leave the house. For me putting on a little makeup everyday helps me to feel like me. It just helps me to feel ready for the day. This may sound so strange to some of you, but there is just something about spending even just 5 minutes applying a little makeup in the morning that helps me to feel prepared and ready to tackle another day.

And it really has nothing to do with how it makes me look but everything to do with how it makes me feel. And I think it’s because that 5 minutes is less about the actual makeup and more about the ritual of doing something for myself. And this isn’t something I think I would have even realized about myself outside of this quarantine situation. Have you learned any little things like this about yourself during this time?

3. Writing Down My Daily Gratitudes

My daily planner has a gratitude section that I admit to only using every now and again prior to this self-isolation period. But over the past few weeks filling in this little gratitude box with at least 5 things every day has made a world of difference in my attitude! There really is something to physically writing these things down on paper that helps me to stay positive. What is it about putting pen to paper that is more therapeutic than just thinking on these things?

4. The Bold Type

This show reminds me so much of Sex & The City. It’s sort of a Sex & The City meets Devil Wears Prada, and it’s all sort of fun! Of course I’m also loving Little Fires Everywhere, but The Bold Type is a favorite one to watch alone to have some me time…..with a glass of wine.

5. Zoom Calls with Friends

Thank you LORD for Zoom! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting together with girlfriends via Zoom during this time. It’s just so good for the soul to see and talk to friends. I actually hosted a Favorite Things Zoom Call with a few friends the other night where we all shared a few things that have become favorites during this crazy time…..which is also why I decided to write this post. It’s just so great to hear about what is getting people through quarantine, ya know?

6. Audible

Audible is something I love to use all the time, but I’m especially grateful for it right now. I love listening to audio books while I’m working on house projects or taking walks around the neighborhood. It helps so much to have things to distract me from the news and social media. And I’ve found it easier to listen than read actual pages right now.

7. The Faster Way App Workouts

I’m missing Orangetheory so much, but I’m so, so grateful for the video workouts available on the Faster Way App. They’re just 30 minutes, and there’s a brand new workout video posted every day! I also love that you don’t need much equipment as the only equipment I have at home are a few dumbbells and some resistance bands. If you’re interested in signing up for the Faster Way program, you can use code STAYWELL to save $50 on your first 6 week experience!

Without this program I would definitely be sinking into couch potato mode. It’s helping me to stay active and continue eating *mostly* nutritious foods. 😉

8. Bri McKoy’s Coconut Rice

I’ve mentioned this rice twice on Instagram Stories in the past couple weeks because it’s that good! It’s an Instant Pot recipe, but you don’t have to have an instant pot to make it. You all, it is so creamy and delicious, and so easy to make! The rice comes out so perfect, and pairs wonderfully with both Asian and Mexican dishes! We’ve been doing lots of Asian & burrito bowls over here, and this rice makes those quick meals taste like fancy take out!

9. Sticking to a Routine

Sounds so simple, but sticking to some semblance of a routine has also become a favorite practice of mine during this time. It’s not a strict routine or anything, but getting outside everyday to walk or ride my bike, spending time in the morning journaling and ending my evening with tea and reading has helped me to feel normal in this abnormal time.

10. Reading Before Bed

As mentioned above the ritual of reading before bed has become something I truly look forward to at night. Not just because the routine helps me to feel grounded, but because it also helps me to shut my mind off. I’ve always enjoyed night time reading, but it hasn’t always been a habit of mine. Now, nightly reading feels essential to even be able to fall asleep.

SO that’s what’s getting me through this crazy time. These 10 things have become fast favorites, some of which I’m really clinging to right now. I’d love to hear what your favorites are right now! Have you become hooked on a new Netflix show, found a great new recipe or discovered a beauty product you’re completely obsessed with now?