If you’re a single gal or single guy this blog post is for you. If you’re happily married, go make a casserole. Joking (kinda), but seriously this post is for everyone near and far because the reality is that the pandemic is making us all go a bit stir-crazy.  As I write this post I can only draw from my own experiences so as long as you are OK with getting advice from a single 36 year old teacher who gained about 20 lbs, has had a few mental breakdowns, and is currently going through a midlife crisis trying to decide if she wants a new job, babies, or to go get her nails done then read on. Here are my top 5 ways to survive a pandemic as a single girl:

5) AUDIOBOOKS IN THE SHOWER

I figure if I am going to be forced to isolate for long periods of time I might as well come out of this mess smarter, right? My new favorite de-stressor is finding a good self-help audiobook and pressing play while scrubbing down. Let me set the scene for you: relaxing steam fills the bathroom, Rue (my cat) is drinking from the toilet, I’m trying to ignore the 2 feet of water under my feet because my drain is clogged from my hair for the hundredth time this month, and I’m learning 101 ways to blog, find a new career, write a best-selling fiction novel, or change negative thoughts to something productive. Unfortunately, my Audible routine hasn’t made me into the next J.K Rowling yet, but it has certainly allowed me to look forward to pressing play on the idea of possible new beginnings. 

4) GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER

We are almost a year into the pandemic and I have made about 20 different Google spreadsheets outlining debt balances, savings, retirement funds, and financial goals. I might not be able to control my love life, but I’ll be damned if I let that credit score dip. It’s quite obvious that my knight in shining armor fell off his horse or something and can’t find his way to my house, but that doesn’t mean that I should be left eating Ramen noodles on one income. Find a side hustle if need be and make things happen. The possibilities are endless in this new virtual work arena.

3) GET YOURSELF A PANDEMIC PET

On week 2 of the pandemic I took in a stray cat. That stray cat, Rue, attacked my face and sent me to Urgent Care day 3 of our bonding journey. It was lovely. Since then she has shown me nothing but love and every time I see her cozied up on the couch purring, my heart is happy. There is something to be said about helping a creature in need even if it is a bit of a challenge in the beginning. 

2) CREATE A TOP NOTCH WORK AREA

If you are lucky enough to work from home during the pandemic then jazz up your work space. No one wants to be stuck staring at the computer screen in a room that doesn’t inspire them. I got me a pink fuzzy rug, some velvet curtains and put an inspirational saying on the wall that I ordered off of Amazon. Add a diffuser and a scented candle and life is good.

1) Reach out to people outside your social circle

Everyone is handling this pandemic differently. As a single gal living alone, I have been finding myself craving human connection in ways I have never before. Just the other day I had a past colleague reach out to me through Facebook messenger. She shared some kind words and I was left feeling uplifted and motivated. It was right there that I realized that now is the time more than ever to reach out to people who you’ve been following on social media that you might not “follow” in real life. Who knows, maybe one of those people you reach out to could end up turning into a new running buddy, friend or even dating partner. If there is someone who inspires you or someone you enjoy following on social media let them know! Virtual relationships are more important than ever right now!

And to my single followers Let’s not forget that Rapunzel was quarantined and met her future husband, so let’s think positively here.