How to be in the house, but not in the house bored

While I’m a big fan of the hilarious Tik Toks (and the song), I can’t honestly say that I’m bored right now.

For starters, I’m not sure living with a toddler is ever boring, and I don’t know why living with a toddler during quarantine would be any different. I think isolation with a toddler makes life less boring, and instead invites opportunity for new parenting challenges to arise. In the absence of every day distractions, places of amusement, and social gatherings, we have to be more creative, engaged, and present than ever before – it’s parenting intensified.  I hate to say it, but I’d actually welcome a little boredom right now. I miss the days when I could scroll mindlessly on my phone while my kid entertained himself in a sandbox full of other toddlers, or when I could catch up with friends over a glass of wine while watching our kids peacefully resolve their conflicts fight over a spatula in the play kitchen in the living room.

And yes, I’m certainly tired of being isolated from friends and family, but I am not bored. 

Now before you stop reading this because  1) you don’t have a toddler to distract you from boredom 2) you think I’m about to tell you how much more productive you can be during isolation or 3) you’re wondering if I’m one of those people who never binge watches TV, eats Dorito’s, drinks my weight in wine, or skips my morning meditation, I promise you, I’m not.

I’m just not that bored.

And while I’m not bored, I am tired of being at home. In order to keep our spirits high and our minds and bodies occupied while the scenery (and company) remains the same, here’s what we’ve been doing to fight off boredom (or in our case, monotony):

Cooking.

Just like everyone else on the planet, we’ve been cooking up a storm. We’ve been experimenting with tons of new recipes – like these delicous mushroom tacos via Half Baked Harvest – and this warm and comforting spiced chickpea stew  via Alison Roman. My husband also made his first sourdough starter, and I’ve been reaping all the benefits (helloooo fresh bread!). We’ve been doing simple, open-faced sandwiches with veggies and adding a drizzle of this delicious  plant-based Green Goddess dressing from Healthy Choice (thanks Babbleboxx).

And, I even jumped on the Tik Tok bandwagon and tried my hand at whipped (dalgona) coffee (which was a bit of a fail), but then later discovered (and fell in love with!) whipped matcha. I used this recipe (and of course the matcha itself) from Jade Leaf Matcha and only modified it slightly by replacing the sugar with NOW Food’s monk fruit sweetener.

Challenges!

First of all, if you haven’t joined in on the upcoming 21-day HIIT & Flow challenge (starting on Monday, 4/20 with an extra fun push-up challenge ….), what are you even doing with your quarantine life?). It’s a good daily reminder to sweat, connect with friends, AND win fun prizes while you’re at it. Sponsors include  Great Lakes Gelatin (the official recovery sponsor), Bob’s Red Mill, NOW Foods, Modest Mix, GoodTo Go snacks, and more!

I’ve also been participating in pretty much ALL of the challenges floating around social media these days – push-ups, arm balances, and even agility challenges – and it has been a super fun way to try something new and challenge (and laugh at!) myself. I’m still not 100% sure what the challenge below was all about (bobbing for notebooks?) but I sure do appreciate McKenna for tagging me in it….It was a good laugh!

I also participated in Fit Approach’s most recent #GoalCall challenge which helped me stay committed to a daily meditation practice (just 30 seconds every day!) and I won fun prizes from Artisan Tropic, Coconu, Takeya, Modest Mix, Great Lakes Gelatin, Native, Acure, and NOW Foods.

 

Podcasts! 

I’m a podcast junkie – I love, love, love me a good podcast. When I’m running alone (which is the majority of the time these days), if I’m not soaking in a little quiet time, I’m generally listening to a podcast (on my new AfterShozk Aeropex, of course).

A few of my favorites right now include:

• Armchair Expert: I love the recent episode with BJ Fogg on creating tiny habits, it inspired me to think about the tiny changes I could make that would have a last impact (plus, it was so timely with our last community challenge – #GoalCall).
• Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy podcast: always a great listen when I need to smarten up!
• Ear Hustle: while seasons 1 and 2 were the absolute best, I’m still an avid listener and think this pod is important, interesting, and often makes me ugly cry mid run.
• Death, Sex & Money. Can I be Anna Sale please? She’s such a magical interviewer and storyteller.
• The Daily. Best way to get your news, hand’s down.
• Strong Runner Chicks. Fun, inspiring interviews of strong women doing hard things!

But listening to podcasts isn’t all I’ve been doing…quarantine actually inspired Alyse and I to start our own podcast. You can listen to episode one of our new podcast, Shiny Objects here on Spotify.

We get real and honest about our business, our fears, and our lives right now in the wake of COVID-19. We’ll be releasing new episodes weekly – can’t wait to hear what you all think!

Staying Active! 

I’ve been doing a LOT of running (duh), and at home yoga thanks to my Flex & Flow community. I’ve been taking classes almost daily on either IG Live or on the big screen via the Flex & Flow YouTube.

If you need some high-quality living room yoga in your life, check it out (and maybe even catch a class with yours truly). There are live and on-demand options with everything from power yoga, vinyasa flow, CHILL, body-weight bootcamps, HIIT & Flow, and even kids yoga!

I’ll be honest, it has been a humbling and challenging experience to rediscover my home practice. My mat is often invaded by my toddler and / or my dog, and it’s not always as relaxing as I would like it to be. But on the bright side, my son has been watching me do more yoga and in turn, is doing a lot more yoga himself.

And with playgrounds, museums, and play spaces closed, we’ve been finding new ways to keep the whole family active and engaged. We’ve been doing family track workouts, family hikes, and family Bob runs!

Straight up chillin!

With all of the keeping busy, we’ve also embraced this time when we’re all together to do a little more chilling out which includes spending time in the park, eating dinner together as a family, and even just sitting on our porch (or as Colby calls it, sitting in the “garden”).

Once the little man is in bed, we’ve been reading, and Netflixing. We watched Tiger King (and omg), and just started watching Dave on Hulu (and it is so damn funny!). What are y’all reading or watching right now?

Ok, that’s about it for now. What have you been up to in quarantine? How are you keeping your kids active? Healthy? And sane?

Stay sweaty (and strong!),

XO

Jamie