It’s funny to me that with everyone staying home these days there is such an emphasis on doing things on the computer, like watching funny videos, taking virtual classes, and having online meetings.  That’s not even counting streaming movies or TV shows and daily visits to Redbox.

I wonder, am I one of the few in the opposite camp who have been looking at this time as a way to spend less time in front of a screen?  With such unusual times it seems to me that this is an opportunity to do things differently.  We already spend too much time on our devices so I don’t see how moving everything to online forums is an improvement.  

Obviously we need to make adjustments during our current situation.  Why not change things for the better rather than just doing more of the same thing?  We want to get things back to normal, but how about a new and improved version?  Now is the time to get rid of those old patterns and to really shake things up.

Go outside.  It’s spring, with all kinds of amazing changes happening in nature right in front of your door.  Take a walk, just wandering around without a plan and look at stuffed animals or words of inspiration people have posted in their windows.  Make pictures with sidewalk chalk to brighten someone else’s day.  

Serenade your neighbors who might be quarantined inside, or send a card through real mail.  Set up a camping chair in your driveway and wave to passers by.  Have a dance party in your yard.  Layer up if you have to but get out there and soak up that vitamin D from the sunshine.  Just put down your phone, close your laptop, and turn off the TV.

In the evenings or on rainy days you can do puzzles or play cards and board games.  Talk to each other while making eye contact.  Set a good example for your family by listening to what they have to say.  You can learn a lot from your kids—have you ever noticed that a lot of toys are mimicking adult chores, like lawn mowers or vacuum cleaners?  Maybe we need to approach our work more like play.  

(Also we should use the universally accepted method of conflict resolution of playgrounds everywhere:  Rock Paper Scissors.  It’s impossible to cheat and it is a great equalizer across ages and abilities.  There is no arguing or disputing the decision, and the outcome is legally binding.  Children have a well-developed sense of justice and fairness.)

I think we must confront our need for constant distraction, stimulation, and entertainment.  It’s like we can’t be alone with ourselves and our thoughts.  Are we that afraid of what we might discover?  Yet it is essential to our mental health and personal growth to have some quiet time—every single day.

By downtime I mean just sit for a few minutes and watch the rain through the window.  Really notice that cup of coffee when you drink it.  We can’t continue at this frantic pace of having every minute scheduled and accounted for with constant busyness.  This is a great starting point to helping us appreciate what we already have, including the people in our lives.

Perhaps we will realize how many things really aren’t essential—physical items as well as activities.  Those projects we never seem to get to, that we always say we’ll get around to when we have time?  If we still aren’t doing them when we’re stuck at home then they probably really aren’t a priority.  Maybe we can let them go and keep them from hanging over our heads.  

Think of the old joke about kids who get elaborate toys but then end up having the most fun with the empty box?  Like that.  The simple things in life really are the best, and open us up to increase our capacity for enjoyment of everyday pleasures.

So slow down.  Take notice of the small moments that make you smile.  That’s a contagion worth passing along.