If you are like me, you thought this little quarantine thing was cute for the first week. You saw it as a mini-vacation from the small talk (introverts unite!), the commute, and endless meetings. But, then, you probably started to wonder when Miss Rona was going to take the hint that she was not welcome here anymore.
Like a Black mother who has company over for too long, you are ready to start cleaning up the plates and washing the dishes.
Coronavirus, baby girl, it’s time for you to head home.
But, alas, I am entering my third week of quarantine and it’s looking like Miss Rona will not be heading back to her humble abode any time soon. So, where does this leave me? These professors are still expecting these assignments and I am still trying to secure this Master’s degree. But, how in the world do I remain productive when I am sitting in this house and there are a-plenty of Love Island episodes to watch?
But, I have to admit when I am not productive…the stress begins to pile up and that’s no fun for anyone. So, in order to keep my mental health in check as well as keep ahead of these deadlines as much as I can, I try to keep a few tips and tricks in mind in order to make sure this to-do list gets crossed off.
It may not all get done + that’s okay!
I’m a bit of a workhorse. So, when I used to be able to frolic outside, running into a friend or stopping by a friend’s apartment would force me to put the books down and rest. But, now, I approach my kitchen table and my books look at me and I look right back at my books. Sooner than you know it, I’ve made a to-do list that is 30,000 items long (and I’m not even a Virgo like Beyonce? I’m a Taurus! Is this one of traits? Someone help!).
Of course, I can’t get all of that done in one day. I feel as if there is this pressure to have an extra sense of beast mode because we are inside all of the time. Apparently, this quarantine time is supposed to be ample opportunity to come up with the next Facebook.
But, liiiiisten, I’m tired. This quarantine is emotionally exhausting and I have to force myself to cut my to-do list from 3,000 things to 3 realistic things I can bang out.
So, if you are a workaholic like me, just stand in that truth and rip up that hundreds of items long to-do list. It will not all get done and that’s okay!
Google Calendar is the homie, fr!
Just recently, I was deep into an episode of Love Island – just as the drama was going down at Casa Amor (…if you know, you know!). Then, my Google Calendar made that little sounded and reminded me that it was time to do my flashcards for genetics. And, when you see the alert in black and white like that…it’s hard to ignore. If you are having trouble sticking to a schedule, place your to-do list in your Google Calendar. The alerts don’t lie.
FaceTime a friend for a get sh*t done party!
Does anyone else feel more guilty when they start scrolling social media at the library? I’ll catch myself mid-scroll and look up and see all of these medical students around me hustling away. Then, I’ll shyly put away my phone and do my work. Sometimes, you just need to be able to mirror other people’s behaviors? So, grab your favorite study partner (…or even co-worker if you dare! If y’all are cool like that!) and check in on each other. Set a goal for the day and check in every hour or so to make sure you are both working. It’s what Bill Gates would do I’m sure.
How are you staying on track in these times?
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