My Quarantine Goals

Let's face it: no matter what you do for a living, it's likely you have some extra time now that you're working exclusively from home due to quarantine, especially if you're a student.

You've heard it all over social media in the past month and a half; now is a prime time to learn something new or get back into old hobbies. And it's a great idea to discover (or rediscover) things you love outside of work, even if you love what you do! Here are just some of the things I'm trying to incorporate or reincorporate into my life during this time.

Daily German practice:  I started learning German on Duolingo before quarantine began since it's my family's mother tongue that's kind of been lost to the generations since after my ancestors left Eastern Europe around World War I. I guess this is my way of exploring some of my family's heritage? Regardless, the language fascinates me, and my reading fluency in Latin has actually helped me a ton with this, surprisingly! During quarantine, I find it easier to remind myself to do my daily lessons and complete my daily goals. I've noticed myself making some real progress in the past month with more consistent practice.

Learn Python:  I used Python very briefly during my first year of graduate school, and coding fascinates me. It'll also make a great resume builder for after graduation. I've been using John Zelle's Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science to get me up to speed with basic theory and for helpful practice projects outlined throughout the book. Otherwise, I Google as I go to learn new commands and skills. It's also helpful that I'm quarantined with my boyfriend who has a bachelor's degree in computer science.

Use my Fitbit more effectively:  I own the Fitbit Versa, which I wear all the time except in the shower - even to bed. Now is the perfect time to get into monitoring my sleep, health, and steps more effectively, which I've definitely been slacking on, even though I have a super cool piece of technology that gives me so much insight into my health. For those of you who bullet journal, Fitbit spreads and fitness tracking spreads are a lot of fun!

Diversify my fitness routines:  Obviously the gym in my apartment complex is closed until further notice, which happened right around the time I switched from a nearly completely cardio routine into weight lifting. I don't have weights at home, and I don't find it practical to buy a set when I'll be renting apartments and moving around for the foreseeable future. I got super lazy once quarantine began. My exercises have mostly been taking walks downtown when the weather allows. I'd really love to start some resistance and body weight routines from home that I can stick to and incorporate into my normal routine after this is all over.

Fine-tune my diet:  I've been using this time to really think hard about my diet and eat intentionally; this means listening to my body and really thinking about the foods I'm putting into my body. During my normal work schedule, I was running around in lab all day, coming home and working out for an hour, going out at night...you get the point. Because of all my activity, I was eating a LOT! My body needed that energy to keep going at my normal pace. Now that I'm not nearly as active anymore, I find I'm a lot less hungry, too. I'm usually not even hungry for lunch on most days. I am a big proponent of intuitive eating, and I might make a future post about this topic since I swear by it! Taking the time to listen to my body and decide what I need to stay at my healthiest is so important for adapting to a new (even if temporary) lifestyle while keeping a steady weight and overall healthy body.

Fix my skincare routine:  Surprisingly, this is probably my biggest quarantine "project". I have very sensitive, acne-prone, combination skin and it was an absolute nightmare at the beginning of quarantine; painful, inflamed cysts around my chin and jawline along with an overall dull appearance to the rest of my face. I also have significant damage from using Proactiv MD for about a year, a topic I'll probably revisit later. I've done a TON of research on what my skin type needs and how to fix common problems and improve overall skin health. I follow the 10-step Korean skincare system, and have switched all of my products to brands that are made for sensitive skin. Some of my favorites right now are Etude House, SIORIS, and The Ordinary. I'll do a post on my skincare journey later for anyone interested.

What are your biggest quarantine goals? Let me know in the comments!

- Anna