The past ten days have been bizarre to say the least.  Our whole world was abruptly turned upside down, people we love are getting sick, losing their jobs, businesses & livelihoods, schools have moved to online learning, and most of us are stuck in our homes for the foreseeable future. For some of us home is a haven but even if it is, we aren’t used to our routines being disrupted and constant togetherness.  If your home isn’t quite the haven you’d like it to be yet, I’ll be sharing tips and blog posts for simplifying, organizing and styling in the coming days & weeks.  If you don’t currently have the time or energy to tackle projects around the house, don’t worry, these tips and resources will be here when you’re ready to dive in. It’s important for us to go easy on ourselves during times of abrupt change & anxiety.

A quarantine doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to get all the things done, unless that is how you relieve stress.  If you feel yourself struggling, overwhelmed or needing resources, I complied a list of things that can help. 

HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES

The Peaceful Preschool has beautiful materials and is offering lots of free resources for new homeschooling parents.  I love their garden guide and am planning to use it with my kids while planting our first garden this year.

Habitat Schoolhouse offers inspiring nature based preschool curriculums. They are also offering tons of free resources and a 20% discount on anything in the shop.  So generous!

For unique educational handmade toys made out of natural materials from Maine check out Hope Learning Toys (which happens to be my sister, Heather’s business). Heather is currently offering a 25% discount, which is huge! Code: SENSORY25

Mystic Aquarium is offering a livestream of  a different animal experience every day.

MIND/BODY RESOURCES 

So many small business have been incredibly generous offering free online content helping people stay fit and sane during this crazy time.

YOGA

My favorite local yoga studio, West Hartford Yoga, is offering a free class every night at 6 p.m.  Follow them on Facebook or see their archived classes on YouTube here.

Core Power Yoga is also offering free classes every day during the pandemic on their YouTube channel here.

MEDITATION/MINDFULNESS

The Mindful Movement provides wonderful free meditations on YouTube here.

BARRE3

Barre3 is offering 15 free days of online workouts here.

PELOTON

The Peloton App is offering a free 90 day trial. I love their guided outdoor runs where you can do anything from a fun run to a HIIT run.  They also have yoga classes and treadmill workouts.  

BOOKS

Audible is offering free titles during this crisis.  Just go to https://stories.audible.com/discovery no login required.  

Follow @bookbarct for great recommendations on books if you find yourself with time to read!

MUSIC

So many artists are taking to facebook and instagram giving live concerts.  A few of my favorites: Chris Martin, Keith Urban  & the Dave Matthews Band have all offered amazing live concerts. 

WAYS TO HELP

Most food pantries are hurting right now. Consider donating to your local food bank.

Check in on vulnerable and elderly friends, family & neighbors.  My youngest child & I just finished a painting and a letter to send to my 99 year old grandfather who is currently under lockdown in his assisted living facility and is stuck in his room 24 hours a day. Even a small thing like a letter or a phone call can brighten someone’s day and make huge difference.

Support your local small businesses.  Consider buying gift cards to use when this is over or sending money to your local coffee shop as if you were still going every day.  Support your local restaurants by getting take out a few times a week so you don’t have to cook every single night.  If financially feasible, continue paying your hairstylist, house cleaner and other people you employ regularly.  

HOME ORGANIZATION

If you are looking around your home and it’s causing your stress instead of bringing you peace, consider doing some small organization projects.  I promise you’ll feel better after you tackle something small and it can have a big impact on your daily life.  I just cleared off our kitchen desk yesterday which had been accumulating arts & crafts and miscellaneous papers and felt so much lighter and clear headed after.

Check out my blog for posts on simple organization of almost any area of your home.  Right now might be a good time to tack paper clutter or your pantry

HOME PROJECTS

If you have small children at home, this one might have to be done while they’re in bed.  Most hardware and paint stores are still open and offering curbside pickup.  Or maybe you have an unfinished painting project and extra paint lying around.  You’d be amazing at how a fresh coat of paint or removable wallpaper can change the whole look of a room and brighten things up.   Try adding removable wallpaper on a bookshelf or in a closet for a quick & easy makeover.

TO MAKE YOU LAUGH

Bob Marley Comedian on Facebook.  Bob is a hilarious comedian from my home state of Maine. He does short daily videos that never fail to make me laugh.  

For anyone who has teens or tweens, check out Trey Kennedy videos on his page. I promise you will see yourselves and your kids in these videos.

If you don’t already follow the Holderness Family on Facebook you’re missing out.

PODCASTS

I’ve always loved podcasts but some of my very favorites that will keep your mind engaged while doing other things around the house are:

Young House Love Has a Podcast

Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert

The Minimalist Moms Podcast

On Being with Krista Tippet

The Slowdown from American Public Media

#MOMTRUTHS with Cat & Nat

For reality TV & Bravo lovers

Watch What Crappens 

Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino

Stay tuned for more blog posts on simple organization + styling tips over the coming days and weeks to fuel your quarantine organization needs. Stay strong, friends. We got this.

xo

Mary