Tired of seeing all the influencers on Instagram talking about how they’re following a strict diet and eating on time to lose 20 pounds, writing a book, creating an entire side hustle, or some other highly involved venture? You’re not alone.
Influencer culture has never been incredibly healthy for the average person. In recent years, broadcasting the expectation that everyone should be carrying on normally (or going above and beyond) is simply unrealistic. The fact is that most of us are struggling right now, and that is totally normal.
These are unprecedented times we live in –– it’s okay not to be productive. Why should you judge yourself for not utilizing such time in stride? Whether you haven’t worn a bra in weeks or are eating entire packages of Oreos in one sitting, it’s important to remember that you’re going to be okay.
12 Things It’s Okay to Do When You’re Home Alone
Here’s a quick list to remind you of some of the things it’s totally okay and normal to be doing right now.
1. Go braless during the day
If you haven’t put on an actual bra in weeks, you’re not alone. In fact, 35% of ladies don’t wear a bra when they’re working from home, according to a recent study by Tommy John.
2. Stay in your pajamas all day
Let’s be real –– the people you see on Instagram who are still posting their OOTD are definitely not the norm right now. You don’t have to get dressed up for no reason. It’s totally fine to stay in your pajamas all day.
3. Eat more than usual
Eating out of boredom is a perfectly reasonable thing to do right now –– staying at home is boring. If you’re trying to stick to a diet, reach for the fruit bowl instead of your candy stash.
4. Eat more junk food
If your diet or health kick has gone out the window, that’s okay. If you need an extra cookie (or twelve) to get through the day, you eat that cookie.
5. Forget to brush your teeth
Okay, you should definitely still be brushing your teeth. But if you occasionally forget to shine your pearly whites before stumbling out to get your coffee in the morning, you’ll be okay.
6. Forget to wash your face
Keeping up with your eight-step skincare routine might be exhausting right now. Forgetting to wash your face a few times is not the end of the world.
7. Skip laundry day
Laundry is piling up faster than ever these days. If you’re waiting until the last minute to bust out the detergent, don’t worry. If you’re following shelter-in-place guidelines, you shouldn’t need that clean pair of jeans anyway.
8. Spend too much time on your phone
Speeding through Candy Crush levels right now? Totally okay. Whatever keeps your mind occupied and engaged. Just don’t forget to take a break every once in a while.
9. Skip (or quit) your workout routine
Sure, you have plenty of free time. But the stress of the world could leave you feeling exhausted every day, and that’s fine. If you don’t feel like working out, you’re not a bad person.
10. Order delivery more than once a week
Cooking may feel like a huge effort right now. Support your local small businesses and order delivery or takeout!
11. Take a “mental health day”
The idea of a mental health day may feel silly for those of us who are working from home full time right now, but it’s actually more important than ever. What’s more, one mental health day may not be enough to cope with the sheer weight of what’s going on in the world, and that’s completely normal. If you need a day (or two, or three), just communicate with your boss.
12. Sleep more than normal
Sleep is one of the ways your body deals with stress. If you’re feeling tired all the time, take the hint. Your body needs extra rest to cope right now. Take extra naps, sleep in a little when you can, and try not to stay up too late.
We know spending time alone feels hard. Hence use this time to learning a new language, read a bunch of self-improvement books, take up a new skill, cook your way through a whole cookbook, or do whatever other high-effort things people are doing online.
You do whatever you need to do to get through a hard time. Keep yourself safe emotionally and mentally. Use the time to catch up with loved ones, take care of your mental health, and practice self-acceptance.
