What I Have Mastered and Failed at in the Last 60 Days

At the start of quarantine, there were a lot of articles on making the most out of lockdown. Were you going to finally write that book? Master a new skill? Get fit? After all, you have the time right? But then things shifted as the time we were in quarantine went from a few weeks to a few months. Mental health started to suffer, the articles shifted to self-care and to give yourself grace. The big message, be kind to yourself.

I have a running list of things I have “mastered in quarantine” lately to help me feel like I have accomplished SOMETHING these past 60 days. But I assure you, I have failed at other things.

The Dishwasher

Every time I load the dishwasher full and organized, I smile with accomplishment. In my head, I think I have “mastered this” something. My brother in law would say loading the dishwasher wasn’t my strong suit, up until now it has turned into a family joke as he always reorganizes it after I load it. A quick text photo and he approves of my Tetris dishwasher skills. He taught me well!

At Home Nail Salon

This past weekend I finally took off my chipped nail polish from my toes, there was more off than there was on and it was time to let my once perfect pedicure go. I had gotten one right before quarantine so it was looking good for a while. I took off the polish and attempted to paint my nails, something I haven’t done since I was 12? It turned into a terrible disaster right out of the gate. I used red (my signature color) and the brush wasn’t working or was the polish too thick? I bring my bottle to the nail salon so how do they do it so perfectly? So there I was again, scrubbing furiously with the nail polish remover to once again take off my polish. Although, this time my toes (the nail and the skin) are now stained pink for the near future, or until enough showers can bring me back to normal. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. I FAILED miserably.

I had a family FaceTime call over the weekend and they questioned why I hadn’t cut my bangs (which are to the end of my nose.) After the nail polish story, we all got a good laugh and agreed I should probably leave that to the professionals!

Leftovers

If you have seen how much I have cooked/baked in the last 60 days, it will be no surprise that I have a crazy amount of leftovers. Recipes aren’t really made for singles or couples, they are made for multiple servings/families. You should know that I HATE leftovers. Thanksgiving is one of my least favorite holidays because I am not the biggest fan of the actual meal and the fact that my family likes to eat it over and over for a week straight makes it even harder. I will note, since the last time I saw my family was the end of December I would gladly take a week of leftover Thanksgiving meal. (the hardest part right now is missing them)

Favorite leftovers in quarantine include quiche and cold pesto tortellini. I have been using these Rubbermaid fridge containers that let me save the smallest of things for the next day. It has been one of my favorite purchases of quarantine.

Reading

I love to read and I am keeping up with Links I Love with articles but I cannot concentrate on a book. The book that I was reading when quarantine began was “The Woman in the Window” who as agoraphobia and never leaves her house. It was an ok read for a bit, but once I was stuck inside and started to have increased anxiety about going out, I just couldn’t get my head into it. Another book that I heard about that was on my short list was “A Gentleman in Moscow” I didn’t even crack it knowing the plot and my current situation. So here I am, not reading in quarantine.

Instacart

Before quarantine, I refused to order food delivery online. When I lost my job in 2008, it was a easy cut to make when I was looking at saving money. Food delivery + tipping turned a dinner for one into the price for dinner for two. I even braved below 0 weather to get Thai Food which is a 5 minute walk from my front door just to prove a point.

Grocery Shopping should qualify as a hobby for me. I love it! I know most people don’t like it but walking up and down the aisles is fun and I am happy to go every day to pick up what is for dinner that night. I know the people at my local grocery store by name and the checkout lady has my cell phone number. Once social distancing happened and plexiglass and 6ft tape was laid down, I knew that was the end of my grocery shopping days. I still support my same local grocery store but from a distance. I now have a strong Instacart strategy on what days to shop and how to keep items organized and restocked each week. It isn’t the ideal situation but it has become a solution to a problem. I am just still trying to figure out how to get those dark chocolate almonds I love from the bulk section at Whole Foods.

Cocktail Hour

I can make a great Campari and soda (easy) but you give me a drink with three ingredients like a Negroni and I fail miserably. Three equal parts but not too much of this or that is a recipe for disaster. I am craving a dirty martini right not now but I don’t think that is happening anytime soon. I did order Drinking French in hopes that I may master as least one cocktail.

I will be the first to admit I am a perfectionist so surrendering to a failed attempt on anything is hard.

I hope this post has brought you a laugh or two and most importantly, you can relate to my tiny wins and failures. Be kind to yourself and others.