Our Working Witches Curated the Best Quarantine Comforts So You Don't Have to
@reagangail
Julia Knoerr, Writer
Davidson student, avid planner, and baking enthusiast with a love for river-centered cities
@reagangail
Quarantine activity: Recently, I've enjoyed making collages using The New York Times Style Magazine.
Why It’s Helped: It's a relaxing pastime while watching Netflix, and the process of discovering unlikely combinations of images, poems, and other texts is fun. You can also come up with particular themes and hope that one day the collages could become dorm or apartment decorations. If not, they are also a thoughtful gift that require little artistic ability but look cool nonetheless.
Quarantine Feelings: I have mostly been surprised by how busy I am and how much there is to do. I'm positive about how much I still feel like I can get out of this time, but schedule adjustments and remaining focused while constantly on a screen have been challenging.
Advice to Readers: I've tried to break up my day by going outside and running or walking, which has actually been very helpful in feeling less restricted. I'd also recommend planning activities for Zoom calls with friends, rather than always just chatting.
Kirsten Lootens, Writer
NYU Student with a passion for books, ice cream, and traveling
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: I've read LOTS of books, painted, and started running again.
Why It’s Helped: Books let you feel like you're in a hundred different places, real or imagined, while we're actually stuck at home. Painting gives me a fun way to create without any pressure. Running lets me get outside and push myself.
Quarantine Feelings: I've stayed pretty positive - it's hard sometimes but I just try to find the little things that will help me get through each day.
Advice to Readers: Find something to do! Every moment doesn't have to be filled with activities, but I find that the days I just scroll through Instagram or binge shows, I feel much worse than the days I do something fun that makes me feel good.
Anna Billy, Writer
Music snob, overprotective mom-friend, and avocado toast connoisseur
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: Using the Nike Training Club app.
Why It’s Helped: It helps motivate me to move my body, and you don’t have to pay for NTC premium because it is currently free due to the pandemic! You can search by workout type, muscle group, equipment, time length, etc. It is incredibly versatile and helps personalize a workout routine that is right for you during quarantine. There are plenty of bodyweight workouts, so if you don’t have access to at home gym equipment, you can do it in any open space you find!
Quarantine Feelings: I’ve felt better with the app! It improves my mental health to feel productive and active!
Advice to Readers: We will get through this together as a community! Hang in there. <3
Arden Schraff, Columnist
Duke student, mental health activist and resident goddess making Insta casual.
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: Reading a ton. I even invested in a Kindle despite my efforts to sustain print publications by buying paper books.
Why It’s Helped: It’s a way to escape reality and find a new point of view through new authors and characters. For me, it’s more satisfying and productive than binging Netflix yet gives you the same results: an escape.
Quarantine Feelings: Every day is different. Some days I feel positive and productive with a lot of different ideas of creative things to do. Other days, I sleep until two in the morning and want to stay in bed watching TikTok all day.
Advice to Readers: Go outside, call a friend and read at least once throughout the day. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you are struggling with productivity or a sense of purpose during this time.
Alexandra Davis, CEO
Pink purveyor and sentimentalist who came up with this cheesy byline idea.
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: I'm the biggest hustler for a deal and a good fitness class. Finding as many gym chains offering free online classes or workout plans has been an odd hobby. Especially when memberships to some of these gyms cost $170 a month with no student discount (cough, OrangeTheory… No shade, I still have one), it's been crazy how many videos you can find on YouTube. There are also free accounts you can sign up for. Some of them include (not spon): F45, OrangeTheory (via YouTube), or the Insanity workout (free via DailyMotion, don’t sue me). Many of us had our internships and even jobs cancelled, and you deserve the savings!
Why It’s Helped: Being able to look forward to a variety of workout options each morning brings a bit more normalcy to my daily routine, especially as classes come to an end. Even if we're at home with our families or roommates, it's nice to see some new—albeit digital—faces. It gets my heartrate going a bit in the morning to slay the day, even if that just means hammering through my Netflix List.
Quarantine Feelings: Being able to speak to fellow Covengirls and working witches, and hear how they're hanging in there, is the highlight of most days.
Advice to Readers: I'm typically ridiculously introverted, but I've found the days I get up and have nice conversations--whether in class, interview or just with friends--I feel completely energized about my day, regardless of how little sleep I got the night before. You may feel like a veg now, but you'll feel like a queen after :) (Or at least… A productive queen).
Taylor Arnette, Twitter Manager
Lover of books, cats, and fantasizing about picnics in France.
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: Knitting!
Why It’s Helped: It’s such a calming activity. It’s rhythmic and peaceful, gives the hands something to do, and you can watch a movie or a show while doing it. You’re also making something cute and homemade!
Quarantine Feelings: It’s tough to stay positive and not think about how everything is changing every single second, but I find that rooting myself in each day and doing what I can to keep myself busy helps a lot.
Advice to Readers: As much as you may feel that you have to be super productive because you have all this extra time, don’t believe it. You don’t have to create or write or be a genius. You’re getting through it and that’s all you need to expect of yourself. Seriously.
Anita Mukherjee, Writer
An avid jogger and home chef who will always make time to watch a standup special.
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: Cooking.
Why It’s Helped: It’s a way to spice up life, literally and figuratively! And there are countless recipes to try out, so there’s always something new to explore.
Quarantine Feelings: Positivity comes and goes, especially with all of the uncertainty about when shelter in place will be lifted but finding ways to incorporate some daily movement and fresh air has made a huge impact on my mood.
Advice to Readers: If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do or learn, consider weaving it into your schedule! But right now, if you just need to get through your days, finding small ways to add positivity to your day, even if it’s following Instagram accounts like @upworthy for a smile, can be helpful.
Harper Wayne, Columnist / Writer
Self-published author studying journalism at BU.
Quarantine Activity: Reading.
Why It’s Helped: It helps you learn at your own pace!
Quarantine Feelings: They’re different every day.
Advice to Readers: Find something that brings you joy and pursue it!
Caroline Brockett, COO
Coven’s right-hand witch, avid to-do list maker and cheesy cocktail creator.
@reagangail
Quarantine Activity: Using the Calm app (and meditation in general)!
Why It’s Helped: Just when we thought 2020 was starting to look up, sh*t really hit the fan and a pandemic put the entire world on lockdown. Sometimes I can't even fathom what is happening because the situation is so absurd, and then other times it feels like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. In moments of anxiety, uneasiness, laziness, or sadness, I find it immensely helpful to meditate. I personally use the Calm app, but anything goes. The Calm app has a range of open-ended and guided meditation practices. I also love the background scene sounds they have—the rain and lakeside are my favorites!. Even if it's just three minutes of breathing, body-scanning, and setting my intentions, meditation helps me relax, center, and relocate that pep in my step.
Quarantine Feelings: There are good days and there are bad days, and that's okay and totally normal. More than anything, I've taken this time to actually focus on myself. Some days I'm happy and positive and can eat super healthy, workout, and finish everything on my to-do list. Other days I move a cumulative 50 feet and binge watch five episodes of True Blood. As long as I'm in touch with how I'm feeling, it is all okay.
Advice to Readers: Be gentle and kind to yourself and others. This is the time that we need it most. It's easy to judge others and easier to judge yourself, but don't. This will sound cheesy, but it's true. The world needs a little light and laughter right now, so bring that positivity to your own day and brighten someone else's.
Curated by Katelyn Norton
Senior Editor, spaghetti connoisseur and real-life wonder woman.