If you’re currently living on planet Earth, you’ve been affected in some way by the Cornonavirus pandemic. For many other millennials like myself, this is the first time that we’ve lived through a pandemic of this proportion, and let’s be real: it’s scary. These are unprecedented levels of not knowing what the heck is going on, and if you’re feeling anxious, irritable or even experiencing moments of depression, you’re not alone. These are all side effects of sudden, dramatic changes. Perhaps you’re grieving the loss of a trip you’d been planning for ages; or you’re trying to care for a parent or immunocompromised relative from a distance; maybe you’re grappling with the fact that your graduation has been cancelled; or your income has suddenly become very unstable. These are all reasons to feel your feels.

As if all the above wasn’t enough to make you toss and turn at night, we are bombarded on all sides by productivity shaming (yeah, I took it there). You know, the types that remind you that X company was created during the last economic recession, so what are you waiting for? Or those who ask you how many items you’ve ticked off your todo list this morning (and it’s only 10 a.m.) No Karen, I haven’t created a new business plan yet. It’s noon, and I’m still wearing pajamas. Hope that’s okay.

Luckily at LMDES, we take a holistic approach to things. We understand that life, especially life during a pandemic, is a winding road of ebbs and flows. Some days you’ll wake up with energy and feel like you want to conquer the world (or at least make a dent on your growing list of to-dos.) and other days, taking a shower, washing your hair and putting on pants is reason to pop a bottle and celebrate. Rest assured, even those of us who have year’s experience working from home need to be reminded of one very important thing: how to avoid burnout.

Change Up the Scenery

Even if you live in a studio apartment, you have different corners you can retreat to. If you’re lucky enough to have an office, or a spare room, awesome, but most people don't. That said, feel free to move things around in your flat and try working in different positions and different rooms. It will shake up your routine and ease the monotony. I like to work from bed on the weekends as I use my office Monday to Friday. It makes me feel like I’m not at work per say, but still working.

Keep the weekend Fun

Most days will start to blend into one another, says the woman who has been in quarantine for 60 days… I get it. How do you avoid feeling like it’s just one long, never-ending day? Keep the weekends fun. For example, schedule a weekly call with a friend or family member, reserve trying new and exiting recipes for the weekends, and you know that bottle of rosé calling your name? What better way to start your Friday?!

Social Media in Small Doses

Influencers, right? They mean well, but their message can often sound like: HEY, DO THIS BECAUSE I DO IT, AND I LIKE IT, AND HAVE YOU DONE IT YET? TIME IS MONEY. MONEY IS TIME. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. ARE YOU DONE YET? It’s like, whoa, ok, no, I’m not doing my ‘brows today, but I will log off for a bit. Most influencers have more time on their hands than usual because they’re not taking staged photos on yachts in the Balearic Islands, so naturally they’re projecting (and probably working through their own stress, anxiety and income instability) so please take what you need, and leave what you don’t.

Boundaries, remember those?

I’m going to say this loud and clear for the people in the back: just because you’re at home, and cannot leave your house doesn’t mean that you owe anyone 24-hour availability. My boss recently asked me to work more because, and I quote: “it’s not like you can go to the cinema…” Ok, sir, you don’t know my life like that, and while that may be true, that doesn’t mean that I want to spend my days working. It’s healthy to say no. You have every right to turn down social obligations if it means that you’ll feel better and more whole because of it. Social anxiety doesn’t stop because there’s a pandemic. Girl, I’m still not coming to your 30+ person Zoom party. Instead of berating yourself and feeling guilty, offer alternatives. For example, no I don’t want to go to a Zoom live watch party of Insecure but I would love to schedule a 30 minute catch-up on Friday. That way you have some say in how you spend your time, and you keep these relationships alive.

Say Nice Things to Yourself

Literally, you’re the only one talking to you 90% of the time, so choose what you say very carefully. A pandemic, of all times, is not the best moment to shame yourself for stress baking (and eating) a loaf of banana bread, or for cancelling a (virtual) social obligation. It’s not the time to chastise yourself for zoning out and watching 4 hours of Netflix. It’s just not. So what, you didn’t do 3 HIIT workouts today! Guess what, there’s always tomorrow, and sis you have time. Giving yourself grace to process, rest, grieve and think is essential to surviving these scary and uncertain times.

LMDES wants to look at these times from a holistic point of view. We know that life, while a bit nerve-racking at the moment, does not stop. We still want to make it our mission to give you the tools you need and want to keep building a life you love.

We’ve launched a free Hustle from Home series from now until June 16th where we chat with a variety of WOC on topics that you all have told us matter to you: wellness, healthy eating, finances, and community building.

The tentative dates are below, but if you really want to stay in the know, you’ll join our free online community: The Tribe.

May 7 @ 1 PM EST - Healthy Eating and Exercise 

May 18 @ 9 AM EST- Building a Brand

May 28 @ 1PM EST- Wellness: Yoga and Mindfulness

June 6 @ 1 PM EST- Community Building

June 16 @1 PM EST- Finances: Budgeting and Financial Planning