During times like these, many slowly lose their will each day of even getting out of bed. Being confined to a house, or even a bedroom, can drive anyone insane. Seeing your siblings more than usual, having to actually find things to entertain us until this is over, not having an excuse anymore to not be doing our homework.  Eventually, every day starts to blend together, and soon we even stop trying to figure out what day of the week it is. However, having an everyday routine can give us the motivation we are lacking. It can make us get out of bed, start a new day, and even appreciate this time more. 

I get it since we are stuck at home, we don’t have to even leave our bed till we want, so why have a routine? Or why do we even have to do more than just our school work? Although many may believe there is no point in having a schedule while we are stuck at home, there are many benefits to it. According to Northwestern Medicine, having a routine can help reduce your stress and even make you healthier. 

I’ve seen a lot of tweets about people’s mental health dropping since they can’t do anything. People also talk about having nothing better to do than raid their pantry. In a way, I understand those who have been struggling the most because they feel as if they are stuck to doing nothing, but it’s not quarantine that’s doing this to you, it’s actually yourself. 

We may not have to wake up as early for school, or even leave our bed, but that doesn’t mean we should just let everything go. It’s important to remind ourselves to continue with our lives as much as possible. Even though at times, it may feel repetitive, or not worth it, but the minute you stop trying, the minute everything stops happening. 

My friend and I send each other a list of to-dos for the day. It can be as simple as homework, chores, and face mask. (Or sometimes, it’s as detailed as homework, chores, tan, workout, etc.) However, making a schedule and sending it to a friend makes me actually feel more motivated. I know at the end of the day she’s going to text me and ask what I did, and how it went. The past two weeks I may not have been able to leave my house, but my motivation has kept me from losing my mind. 

I think during this time it is important to breathe and relax, but also remember this isn’t permanent, but our health is. I know it’s difficult to leave bed every day, to want to work out, or even do at-home school work, but we have to make the best out of it. When it all ends, if we have no motivation to get back up, then we’re continuing to let COVID-19 take even more from us. 

I’m not saying to not take advantage of this time. Watch the TV show you haven’t had time to, bake from scratch, and sleep in as late as you want to! What I am saying, is to just make sure you’re also taking the time to do what’s important. Make sure you’re leaving your bed more than twice a day, make sure you’re not just binge eating, make sure you’re not just wasting a day away. Times like these don’t last forever, but the choices we make during it does! 

We should try to come out of this stronger, not weaker. There may be walls that confine us for a couple of months, but in life, we are truly the only ones that can set ourselves back. We may have time on our hands, so we might as well plan out our days. Austin Kleon once said, “Establishing a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time,” and I’ll have to agree on that one. 

***If you need more ideas of things, such as what to do, or even watch, during times like these, check out our other stories!***