This whole social distancing thing can be a real challenge! We’re all balancing the boredom of being stuck at home, with the discovery of new things that bring us joy within the home. Whether it's learning the newest TikTok dances or powering through at-home workouts, finding moments of happiness in this chaotic time is so important. We put this #TAMGAatHome resource guide together to help you come up with some fun new projects to dive into!
1. Decorate your space
A lot of us have recently joined the work from home club - there are so many great things about working from home, but the transition can be a bit overwhelming especially when it basically happened overnight. A great way to embrace the work from home life is curating and decorating a special space in your house that’s just for you. Even if you’re not working from home, now is a great time to decorate your space the way you have always wanted to!
Need some inspo? Create a vision board on Pinterest, this is a great way to visualize how you want a room to turn out. Check out TAMGA’s Pinterest board for more inspo, we’re all about the jungalow vibes right now (plants, textiles, and more plants!).
Being surrounded by lots of plants definitely helps me free balanced and relaxed. Recently I’ve bought pansies, cactuses, dracaena, and Japanese ferns for my workspace! I love the feeling of being surrounded by nature while I’m working. Right now I have my eye on securing a beautiful palm for my bedroom (100% leaning into those tropical relaxation vibes). Plants are a great way to liven up a room! As an added bonus many plants act as natural air purifiers for your home.
You can also spice up a room by adding some natural textures to a room with beautiful wool rugs, or imperfect clay pots, these special little additions are a great way to sprinkle some boho vibes into your space. Or maybe you have some bare spaces on your wall? Why not spend the afternoon looking through old vacation photos, pick your favourites and create a beautiful photo collage! Seeing photos from past travels or adventures every morning is a great way to start the day. If photos aren’t your thing perhaps hang a beautiful wall hanging is, and don’t forget to light some essential oil candles, the perfect way to create a relaxing environment.
2. Read a book or magazine
I find myself constantly writing down book titles to read only to find time gets away from me (sound familiar?). Now is the perfect time to hunker down with a good book - it’s a great way to escape when we can’t leave our homes, and reading has a meditative quality to it that’s very relaxing (as long as it’s not on your phone or computer). Here are some recommendations:
If you’re looking to learn more about ethical business, check these out:
The Responsible Company - This book is written about the lessons Yvon Chouinard has learned from the first 40 years of founding and running Patagonia. It reads like an exciting, heartwarming journey through good times and bad – be prepared to be inspired!
The Ecology of Commerce - Business is the source of untold amounts of environmental abuse - but it could also be the key to saving our planet. This book was written 25+ years ago but is more important now than ever.
Drawdown - Curious about real solutions to global warming? Crack open this book, Drawdown describes the 100 most substantive solutions to the issue while also describing each solution’s history, carbon impact, the cost versus savings, the path to adoption, and how it works.
Maybe you’re looking for some sustainability and design inspo?
Peppermint Magazine is a great online mag based out of Australia. We love to turn to them when we’re looking for articles on slow food, ethical fashion, clean beauty, and all things creative!
Selvedge Magazine is another great online magazine, based out of the UK. Selvedge focuses on being a source of inspiration for designers and fashion lovers alike. Their articles focus on exploring and understanding the history, future, politics, and aesthetics of textiles.
Cabana Magazine is an online magazine that places a spotlight on interior design. Their articles discuss numerous topics such as colors, textiles, and art. This is a great mag to delve into if you’re looking for interior design inspo!
Perhaps you're looking for books to inspire the adventurer in you?
Kon-Tiki - This novel is the beautiful depiction of an amazing adventure taken on by biologist Thor Heyerdahl. It’s the record of an astonishing adventure -- a journey of 4,300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean by raft.
Shantaram - "It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured." This is how this beautiful novel, set in Bombay starts. The novel is narrated by Lin, an escaped convict with a false passport who flees maximum security prison in Australia for the teeming streets of Mumbai.
Endurance: Shackleton's incredible voyage - This novel delves into the exciting story of British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and his 1914 attempt to reach the South Pole. It’s also a #1 best seller on Amazon! Definitely check this out if you’re looking for a nail-biting read!
In a Sunburned Country - Written by Bill Bryson, this novel depicts the author’s time spent traveling around Australia. The chapters will take you on an Aussie adventure that will have you booking your trip down under in no time at all!
3. DIY self-care
Show yourself some love! Here are some websites that list awesome DIY self-care projects that will give you all the spa vibes right at home! Don’t forget to light some candles and grab your favourite warm beverage for an afternoon of total relaxation!
- https://grannynannynews.com/diy-self-care-beauty-products/https://grannynannynews.com/p/7-self-care-products-you-can-easily-diy-without-breaking-the-bank-8008106
- https://grannynannynews.com/gallery/13-diy-at-home-spa-tricks-2008-11
- https://grannynannynews.com/genevievescarano/ways-to-have-an-at-home-spa-day-while-stuck-indo-385r44emr
If you need more tips, check out TAMGA’s DIY self-care page on Pinterest!
4. Mend old clothes
Mending old clothes is a great way to increase the longevity of your wardrobe while also being great for the planet and there’s no time like the present to start! Check out these links on how to start mending your clothes:
- https://grannynannynews.com/274965/how-to-patch-a-hole-mend-a-seam-and-fix
- https://grannynannynews.com/blog/how-mend-your-own-clothes/
- https://grannynannynews.com/watch?v=8g3zsegbL-0
5. Try meditating
Meditation is a great habit to get into, with many significant health benefits such as reducing stress levels, alleviating anxiety, and enabling us to connect more with ourselves. Check out these links for meditation resources, as getting started is often the hardest part!
- https://grannynannynews.com/meditation-guide/
- https://grannynannynews.com/how-to-meditate/
- https://grannynannynews.com/guides/well/how-to-meditate
Here are some apps to help you with your mediation journey :
Headspace - Headspace is offering free support during the current global crisis. Headspace offers guided courses and time meditations ranging from a few minutes to an hour. The app also offers sleep music and soundscapes to help you get to sleep.
Calm - Calm allows users to try the app for free for one week. When you open the app your invited to complete the Daily Calm or locate a more specific meditation.
Aura - Aura is great for people who are on the go and simply don’t have a lot of time to devote to their mediation practice. This is a great app if you're in need of a way to help quickly calm your nerves or anxiety.
6. Try a new recipe
Cooking and baking have been such a lifesaver during this crazy time. It’s a great way to get your household together to enjoy a fun activity that provides entertainment and enjoy a tasty treat! We recommend downloading the New York times cooking app - it’s a monthly subscription of €4.99 or annual for €39.99. The app has thousands of recipes you can search by diet, cuisine type, preparation method, and meal type!
Looking for accounts to follow for more healthy recipes and treats?
Lauren Toyota is a great vegan cook with books and resources you can use to help you in creating delicious vegan versions of your favourite comfort foods! Check out her blog, and YouTube channel Hot For food.
Lauren Holden is a naturopathic medical student who runs a blog and Instagram (@laus_healthy_life) that focuses on providing healthy gluten free recipes with a whole foods focus! I love her easy coconut curry recipe, it was super easy to make and delicious!
Angela Liddon of Oh She Glows is one of my favourite blogs and cookbooks to find inspiration from, she now has an app as well! All of her recipes are plant based and easy to make!
Shalane Flanagan, 4 time Olympian and nutrition coach Elyse Kopecky have create a cookbook to inspire all people how to cook for their bodies, overcome health issues and make cooking and eating more enjoyable. Their cook book Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. has been a staple in my house. The chocolate peanut butter cups are one of my favourite recipes to make! Check out their blog for other great recipes to try out!
7. Find a new favourite podcast
Podcasts are a great way to learn about something new! I love to listen to them when I’m going on a run, walking my dog or working but just want something on in the background. Check out the list below for some great podcasts to start listening to!
Ethical Fashion Podcasts:
Conscious Chatter
Wardrobe Crisis
American Fashion Podcast
Entreprenurship
Girl Boss Radio
The Tim Ferris Show
How I Built This
Self Love:
Papaya Podcast
Yoga Girl Conversations From the Heart
Raw Beauty Talks
8. Call a friend (FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype)
When in doubt call a friend! Amongst the social distancing, we are still finding ways to connect with friends and family while apart. Set up a FaceTime, Zoom, Whats app or skype call, and get a little creative with your calls. You can use Netflix party to watch movie’s together, or show off your latest work from home OOTD, or host your own trivia night!
9. Plant a container garden
As the weather gets nicer why not plant a container garden, check out the resources below for some hot tips on how to get started!
- https://grannynannynews.com/home/gardening/a20707074/container-gardening-tips/
- https://grannynannynews.com/home-garden/gardens/creative-container-gardens
- https://grannynannynews.com/ten-container-garden-tips-for-beginners-847854
10. Start a journal
Our last tip is to start a journal! Journaling is a great habit to get it into as it allows you to process your thoughts and emotions in a safe place. Journaling doesn’t have to mean sitting down and writing pages on pages of notes, it can really just be sitting down and allowing yourself to feel what your feeling that moment and writing down a record of your thoughts. I found the best way to implement journaling into my daily schedule was to purchase a journal that had prompts already in place like the 5 Minute Journal!
We hope these tips help add some excitement and fun into your days! Let us know what you’ve been up to during your time at home and what’s bringing you joy, we always love to hear from you.
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