While many of us are currently under stay-at-home orders in California, for some of us it might be more difficult spending most of our time indoors. Here are some ideas to help you get through these next few weeks of quarantine and revitalize your spring break spent at home.
Tip #1: Creating art (Mailea) Getting back into something that you enjoy is beneficial for one’s well-being. I have found art to be a very therapeutic exercise, and when I was younger I would spend hours immersed in a piece. Pouring yourself out onto paper can really help take your mind off of the chaos of daily life for a while. Busy college life made it harder for me to spend as much time on art as I would like, so I take advantage of the time I have now to get back into it. Personally, I find joy in painting the sketches that I draw and finishing a piece fills me with self-fulfillment. I encourage you to try your hand at creating your own art as well. Whether you’re learning a new skill or freshen up on what you already know, art will always provide a very open outlet for self-expression. Whatever you decide to create, it’s yours. Just keep practicing and let your creative juices flow.
Tip #2: Socializing Online (Edward) By now, most of you must have called your friends and families to check up on them. But what comes next? I find that creating and scheduling activities to do together with your close ones through video chats throughout the week, whether it may be playing the online version of Cards Against Humanity or holding movie nights through screen sharing, is most helpful in de-stressing. As social distancing has further discouraged many (including myself) from close contact with others, I find it more important to keep in close touch with those around us virtually. So whatever you may use to chat, be it Skype, Discord, or even Zoom, continue to call others! It is crucial for your mental health during this quarantine season that you understand that you’re not alone.
Tip #3: Cooking (Jireh)
My mom making homemade Hokkaido Milk Bread.While away at college, I missed my mother’s cooking more than anything. She has always had a skill for replicating beloved dishes from restaurants with greater verve at home. In this period of time, I have had the opportunity to become her sous chef, chopping the vegetables for the pasta, flipping the rou bing (Chinese meat pie), or sauteing mushrooms and onions. It has given me a new appreciation for the love and consideration that she puts into our food and the complexity behind all the potential potholes that a beginner can fall into. While “cooking” myself breakfast I am also rediscovering simple and healthy meals. Blending an assortment of fruits and vegetables for a smoothie mixed with whole grains and toast with egg and yu song (fish floss) gives me a sense of a cleansed palate before each day.
Tip #4: Journaling (Edward)
Feeling down a couple of days ago, I picked up a new hobby: Journaling. I know, I know. Journaling? Isn’t that for children? To that I say: No. The thing I love about journaling is that you can basically journal about anything you want. You don’t even need a notebook to journal! You can make one yourself simply by folding a few pieces of paper together and stapling the sides. From the cover page to the content within the pages, everything is customizable and you have full creative control. Personally, for me, I started a new film journal; from pasting down quotes from my favorite film theorists to writing about my experiences watching films, I have had fun exploring films that I could not have possibly watched due to my busy schedule in school. Not only did it put my attention off of the constant flow of troubling news and free my mind from stressing out too much, but it has also become a new avenue in which I can express myself. So the next you find yourself panicking over the news, go grab a piece of paper or notebook and start your journal!
Tip #5: Skin Care! (Mailea)
Some of my favorite skin care products! I really like the Facetory face mask line (oily skin set for me) and the bee venom line from Nature Republic. If you have the time, why not show your skin some love? During the busy college season, it can be hard to stick to your nightly routine. Believe me, I understand what it’s like to want to collapse as soon as you get to your dorm room. But while you may still be tired even now, it would not be a bad idea to give yourself some extra TLC. A consistent routine that fits your skin type can make a world of difference. I have sensitive, oily skin, so finding a good schedule that won’t make me break out or irritate my skin was key. Personally, I found that doing a mask once or twice a week helps keep it supple while also not damaging my skin's natural barrier. Whatever your case is, investing in self-care can help improve your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Tip #6: Redecorating your room (Mailea) I have always been a messy person. When I went to college, I slightly curbed this habit (I did not want to be a bad roommate after all!), but upon my return home I realized that I had left my room in a state of despair. To add to the ruinous horde, I had to move all of my stuff from my dorm back home, where I am currently working on stuffing two rooms worth of stuff into just one. Old habits die hard, right? The room was also very outdated; posters from middle school covered the walls, old band t-shirts filled my drawers, and silly bands still sat in my jewelry case. It was time to recenter myself and redecorate what was my home once again. If you’re like me, it isn’t too late. We have time to change our habits and clean up our acts. Hang up those new pictures that you took with friends or put those new string lights from Amazon up. Not only is this a productive activity, but it is also a great stress reliever. A cluttered room can contribute to a cluttered mind, so whenever I find old things that I no longer use, such as old books, clothes, etc., I put them together to donate or get rid of. Just the act of clearing out that space or that drawer makes me feel cleaner and more proud of myself. Just keep reorganizing it until you find the style that fits you!
Tip #7: Putting a “spin” on your old clothes (Mailea)
Clothes re-designed by roommate (and fashion icon), Sofia Aguilera (Freshman, Honors Psychology). If you have old clothes that you don’t really wear anymore but just don’t have the heart to throw away, redesigning them will help you create the fix-up you need for last season’s outfit. Whether it be a plain white tee, a pair of faded blue jeans, or some beat-up, old canvas sneakers, adding your own touch can make them shine like new. It also helps the environment as you’re recycling your old clothes rather than purchasing new ones. They have quality fabric paint on Amazon for reasonable prices, and if you feel up to it, you could even sell your redesigned clothing on Depop or other platforms. Remixing your closet allows you to put a piece of yourself in your clothing, and it’s always fun to see how you can transform an old outfit into something trendy and brand-new.
Tip #8: Animation/Claymation/Stop Motion (Edward)
Still bored? Here’s something that you can do that might take you months to finish! Just like journaling, there is so much creative freedom in animation. You can utilize any type of material, such as clay, paper, and photographs, and create any type of story you might want to tell! And more importantly, you don’t need a DSLR or online animation software to start (but if you have the resources, Adobe Animate is fantastic). Because animation is created with single frames, all you honestly need is a phone to take photos of your subject to move them across the frame. Additionally, if you want to create a flipbook, you can do that too with just a pen and some pieces of paper stapled together. As a filmmaker, it’s been troubling not being able to go outside to film, and this has become a new creative avenue for me. I’ve been having a lot of fun reading up and watching videos on how to animate online and with clay. And hopefully, by the end of this quarantine, I’ll have accomplished an animated short!
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