The Non-Necessity Necessities
- digsmpls
- Mar 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2020
So the new reality is that you’re facing the foreseeable future at home, you don’t know what resources will remain available, and you gotta get a plan. After you figure out how to sustain your supply of necessities like groceries, medications and (ahem) personal paper products, you have to plan for occupying yourself and the other bigs and littles who may also be confined within your walls – all while keeping spirits high, or at least above a flatline level. Here are 20 ways Digs can help you fill your time and lighten the mood for you and yours.
1. Happy scent, happy home. Refresh your confined living quarters with a new candle.
2. Can’t handle another round of Chutes and Ladders? Introduce a new vintage game to the family. Except for maybe Twister. #socialdistancing.
3. How long have you been walking past that pile of clothes and linens that need mending or ironing? Carpe Diem with sewing notions and some fresh scent ironing spray.
4. Journal or sketch your thoughts and feelings. It may just avoid yet another sass match between you and your SO. Better yet, use a new notepad to list reasons you are grateful for each other. Maybe after a 10 minute time-out. Or use it to send notes from under the door. #thistooshallpass
5. Learn how to knit! All you need is some yarn and knitting needles. There are a zillion patterns and instructions online, or go rogue with a vintage knitting pattern.
6. Bring some fun into the constant disinfecting with a new apron, dishcloth and tea towel.
7. Tired of that Irish Spring scent? Us too. Spice up your lather supply with fresh, locally made soaps.
8. Canceling vacation plans is a huge bummer. Take a trip into the past, without having to pack or take off your slippers, with vintage magazines & books.
9. Sick of staring at the same old picture on the living room wall? Redecorate with local art, vintage magazine ads, new & repurposed prints and home decor.
10. Staying hydrated is important for everyone, but not everyone will help with those dishes (despite how many times you’ve mentioned that it’s just as easy to put that glass in the dishwasher as it is in the sink). Add some new coffee mugs and vintage glasses to the mix. Maybe even hide them as your secret stash, we won’t tell.
11. Did someone say wine? Well, no, we said hydrate but that’s cool, we understand - it’s a stressful time. Vintage juice glasses make really great wine glasses, IOHO. Wine stoppers and charms will help with keeping those germs at bay, as long as you remember which charm is yours and the bottle of wine isn’t emptied on first pour. No judgment here, folks.
12. Are you talking to your cats? Are they talking back? It’s time to reach out. Send notes, postcards and cards to those you’ve socially distanced yourself from. Your loved ones will love hearing from you and your cats will be happy to have some peace and quiet.
13. Speaking of cats, hug yours often. Love is love. Don’t have a cat? These are just as lovable and huggable.
14. If you sew, you hoard. It’s just a fact of life. Put that hoarding to the test and finish where they left off with a vintage quilt top. Want to start quilting? Welcome! Fat quarters, one yard cuts, charm packs, vintage remnants and a variety of quilt cottons by the yard will fit you in nicely with your fellow hoarders, er um, quilters.
15. Crafts, crafts and more crafts! Paper packs, ephemera, rubber stamps & ink, stickers, glitter, embellishments …the list goes on as far as your creativity will take you!
16. Exercise is a bit more challenging when you can’t hit the gym. Did you know needle felting burns 100 calories per minute? Not really, but it’ll get out that aggression better than any kickboxing class. Stock up on roving, felt sheets and perhaps an extra needle or two, in case you are feeling extra stabby.
17. Did that special dinner out get canceled? Whateves, you got this. Grab a recipe from a new cookbook, set the table with a vintage tablecloth and some cloth napkins, add a new dish or two and BOOM! You’ve got your special dinner, tip included. And just because you’re not leaving the house doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed up. Throw on a new pair of earrings or necklace and slide him a pair of vintage cuff links. Best part? No shirt, no shoes won’t mean no service.
18. Your little ones will, at some point, drive you crazy with their boredom. Create a little world for them to escape to with fairy garden supplies. In times like these, sprinkling a little fairy dust around the house couldn’t hurt either.
19. Eat lots and lots of chocolate. Dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants for both your health and your spirit.
20. Make sure your inner dialogue is speaking to you kindly. Mantras and happy thoughts help remind us all that we are doing the best we can with what we’ve got. Be kind to yourselves and to others.
Comments