I remember a b
ouncer at a club one time had ‘STAY DOWN’ tattooed on his fingers and I asked him what it meant (I’m not shy, just socially awkward). He explained that when he knocked someone down, he wanted them to ‘stay down’. I don’t want to knock anyone down LOL, maybe the people playing 6v6 VOLLEYBALL IN ROMARE BEARDEN PARK during our social distancing/stay at home order, but not normally.
I DO, however, want everyone to STAY |the fk| HOME until it is SAFE to return to normal activities. The longer we don’t listen to the experts, the dimmer that light at the end of this shit show of a tunnel gets. I’ve brainstormed the question – How am I staying |the fk| home and staying sane? – several times. When I started listing out all the things – I realized it was what I THOUGHT people wanted to hear – meditate, take baths, play board games with your family, go on picnics in your backyard, etc. – wasn’t really what I was doing to stay sane. So, here’s my real list of what I HAVE done so far not only to stay sane but to feel like I’m thriving with what the universe has thrown my way and maybe some of these will help you too:
COOKING AND SINGING – Cooking to some of my FAVORITE songs (and filming myself, of course) – there is something about dancing and singing in my kitchen that gives me life. I truly get this one from my mom. I’ve performed (LOL) to Aaliyah, TLC, and Monica so far – all my 90’s favorites. Stay tuned to Style Nugget’s IG Stories for more.
OLD SCHOOL VIDEO GAMING – We downloaded Super Mario World for Wii and spent our nights for a week straight playing that until we defeated Bowser’s Castle – which took about 653 tries – but you know what they say: “if at first you don’tsucceed, play until your eyes bleed, you’re angry and yelling at the TV, and try again tomorrow”. I cannot believe how many tricks and secrets I remember from video game playing days.
PLAYING DRESS UP – This has really opened my eyes to how creative I COULD be but for the “I’m too busy, tired, etc” excuses, I have been slacking on this one. I’ve asked myself, “okay Naomi, what have you been WANTING to do but don’t feel like you have the time TO do?”. This is one. I’ve dusted off my wedding dress, created my own 80s fitness chic inspired look, and had some fun with not-so-basic makeup looks so far. More to come – stay tuned.
KEEPING PRODUCTIVITY LEVEL UP – It just looks different now. I don’t think this one is for everyone, but I know that if I don’t plan out projects I want/need to get done I spiral downward mentally. Waking up, exercising, watching shows, signing on to work my day job, winding down with alcohol, warm bath at night, repeat – does NOT work for me. I need to feel purpose and that I’m moving forward towards my goals. And if ever there was a time, it’s now. I plan out lesson plans for TONED streaming, I schedule in blog writing, IG posts, and even now plan out IG Stories too.
MEMES – okay this one might be my ‘having a glass of alcohol to wind down’ activity because the memes have kept my spirit kickin. I know everything going on right now is super serious but the fkn meme gods (or whoever is out there creating these) 100% know how to PIVOT and I thank them from the deepest depths of my anxiety for it.
MOVEMENT – This is one I know everyone is preaching BUT IT’S FKN TRUE. I’ve got to keep moving. IRL I am very active. When things were normal, I taught five TONED classes a week and when I wasn’t at the Fit Atelier studio, I was spending an hour per day (minimum) working on lesson plans. With the studio closed, that ain’t happenin. I’ve been filming from home for the studio’s streaming services and partnering up with brands to do LIVE workouts, movements, stretching, ANYTHING to keep it fresh and help others move during this all. I’m streaming other workouts for myself but also to support other fitness instructor bosses out there too. When the day comes, and I don’t feel like doing a full-blown workout I go on bike rides with the family, walk our dogs, or roll from the couch to the floor and stretch. Not groundbreaking, I know, but it helps.
CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET – This has been on my list forEVER. I usually only do it when I’m about to take my clothes to Buffalo Exchange to pawn or when the seasonal CLT Blogger Closet Sale comes around. Now? I’ve cleaned out my closet and separated into what I’m going to donate and what I’m going to sell on my VIRTUAL CLOSET SALE I will be holding on IG Stories.
BRUNCH WITH MR NUG – we never brunch together. Ever. This is mainly something I do with the girls. I think Nick initially hated brunching because the girls and I would tie one on and brunch would go well into the wee hours of the evening. Now, we are cooking a FEAST FIT for a NUG KING AND QUEEN along with some festive spirits and listening to classic rock while we do it – WHO AM I WITHOUT MY R&B/90S JAMS, I KNOW.
DOUBLE FEATURE FRIDAY – we started this last week and TBH, this will continue to be a tradition long after we are out of quarantine. On the weekends where it’s just us two it’s DBL – on weekends with Max it’ll be TRIPLE, holy hell – BUT the gist is: we each get to pick a movie to watch TOGETHER – meaning everyone has to pay attention and
not be on phones. Rules: no one can ixnay someone else’s choice. ANYTHING goes. New movie, old, action, romantic, cartoon, WHATEVER. I got these cool TV lights from Amazon to make our in-home movie theatre experience even better.