My internal struggle is the two sides of me that don’t neatly overlap: Thrill-seeking Sag and PEAK homebody Introvert (INFJ). I’m trying (but not really) to get my Sag to stop looking at the cheap flight emails that are literally taunting me multiple times a day. I do love being curled up indoors watching some cartoon or a show that hasn’t had a new episode in 10 years. However… I also love nature, particularly anything near a body of water. I love margaritas. And I love a hotel room. Especially when I’m the only occupant. Clearly, the pandemic has me trippin a lil bit.
I’m dealing with the fact that I can’t call up one of my homegirls so we can hit happy hour and trash talk the government for flopping on their response to the mess that we’re waking up to now. But I’m also enjoying that I’m sleeping for however long I want and my folks are bringing me food in my bed and the introvert in me is thinking ima make it. However:
I find it hilarious that all of a sudden now, cancelled people-plans are not being met with “ooo girl yes cuz I ain’t wanna go anyway” Instead I’m kinda sad. How annoying of me? Once this is all over (insert hopefulness), I bet I’ll be back to getting ready to show up for plans I forgot to cancel with the melancholy face.
All that said, here’s what I’m doing to appease my need for adventure during the pandemic lockdown:
- Catching up on all the reading I put on hold. Fiction only. I’m trying to transport myself to a far away land with thriving Black people, find men, and amazing food….by reading about it. Please leave your best book suggestions in the comments below. I need them all!
- Starting new projects. I’m not totally sure what’s on my list to start, but generating this post was one of them. I know you noticed how long I haven’t put anything on here 😅 now I have no excuse.
- Reassessing my finances. Pandemic got me thinking hard about my coins. (1) Rebudgeting for what I currently deposit into my emergency fund. Seeing my pennies deplete in my retirement account threw me off. Baby gotta make sure she diversify. (2) I been eyeing the stock market. My dad has been trying to get me to start trading forever. Seems like good a time as any to start doing some research on how that all works.
- (SIDEBAR) If you don’t already have Credit Karma, go check on your credit score ASAP. Especially in these uncertain times. If you already use their credit services, go open a CK savings account. Online savings accounts have been great for me. Help keep my money away and get you a little more interest than a brick and mortar branch account.
- Plan trips for 2021. Since it this year is trying to tell me to recalibrate already, I’m just going to start putting together my bucket list travel for next year. I got some places I want to see before (God forbid) anything like this happens again.
Share with me!
How are you keeping busy amid social distancing and quarantine? How are you staying calm during this pandemic? What do you think people should know about staying mentally well during this time?
I meeeeeannnn are we like the same person or what?! I’m also a Sagittarius ♐️ who typically would like to be among nature and out enjoying time at the park or beach. Ironically that introvert side is strong as hell. This #CoronaQuarantining is less than ideal for us having to be home with EVERYONE ALL THE TIME!
I started reading too— first book up is “Queenie”
Also I’m back scrapbooking now ✂️ 🌟💜
YAAASSSSS! I’m gonna add Queenie to my list. Also, I have a bunch of pictures I want to print for photo albums.
When this is all over we shall frolic among nature againnn 🙌🏿
Looks like my Taurus and your Sagittarius are more similar than previously thought. 😅 I like to retreat to my corner but I also love to be out in nature and frolicking on beaches and allat.
Speaking of nature, today I helped my mom set up our mini garden in the backyard. We’re going to be growing squash. It was quite therapeutic.
This whole quarantine has not been good for my mental health; I can tell even though I don’t have a diagnosis. I was trying to plan my summer, I got a new job to pay off my debt so I can go back to school, and Bam Corona shut down. Ugh. 😭
Tbh I’ve been spending much of the time distracting myself by watching Dragon Ball and HunterXHunter. And I LOVE both shows. 😍 But they are probably the reason I haven’t been reading as much as I should. 😅
I have, however, been flexing my writing muscle somewhat by practicing my editing skills. I’m making my way through the beginning of a 400-plus page workbook that currently has me critiquing an essay written by a college senior. Sidebar: The essay seemed like a good one upon first glance, but upon third and fourth looks, it had a LOT of holes. 🧐 I also asked my siblings to send me their writing pieces and I’ve been editing one of my brother’s old astrology posts. I really enjoy editing other people’s work; it’s a skill I kind of developed naturally by reading and writing (more so reading), but I know if I study and practice, I could possibly do it at a professional level someday. and I figure now is as good a time as any to hone this skill. I’m seriously considering offering editing and reading comprehension tutoring services once I am confident in my ability to help other people be the best readers and writers they can be. Miss Rona made me re-realize how important it is to be able to make a substantial amount of money virtually.
I’m hoping I can learn to write my way to a better life.
I know I need to just breathe. It’s a time of forced introspection and it’s tough.
“Write my way to a better life”. WHEW! You and me both sis. Hang in there! ♥️♥️
Since credit scores were brought up, I recommend a few things:
1. In addition to Credit Karma, everybody and they mama should sign up on Discover Score Card to get their monthly Experian FICO score for FREE. You do not need to have an account with Discover to take advantage of this service.
Credit Karma gives you your Vantage 3.0 score, which is different from your FICO and is not the score that most lenders use. Most lenders use Fico 8. To get a more accurate understanding of your credit profile, it is important to know your FICO score because that is what 90% of lenders use. Discover Score Card allowed me to see that there is a 38 point difference between my Vantage 3.0 score and my FICO 8 score. 😳 Also, CK only gives you Transunion and Equifax scores. But using both services will help you stay on top of your credit.
2. For those with poor or no credit, or who are just trying to rebuild their credit, look into both Self Lender and Credit Strong. Self Lender helped my score go up 38 points after one month, and another three points in the past month. I haven’t used Credit Strong yet but I’ve heard it’s just as good.
3. You can call your creditors or send them a letter to let them know you’re having a hard time; many of them are being more lenient because of Miss Rona. This is probably also a good time to get your credit card limits increased, which will reduce your utilization and increase your score.
Yes! Thanks for sharing this great advice.