10 Ways to Enjoy 2021

This year, forget about your resolutions and just concentrate on making it a better year than 2020.

There has been so much angst (and rightfully so), but let’s take the bull by the horns and make 2021 a better year! First of all, you can think of things you did like about 2020.

Perhaps it can be you got to spend more time with your family.

Yes, it’s hard, and frustrating at times for sure. But we have heard from patients that many people (including kids) are grateful they have this time together. One of our patients told us she asked her active 8-year-old granddaughter, (who loves going to school) if she’ll be glad when it’s back full time. She answered very quickly, “No, I like being with my family!”

2021 is still going to be challenging… Here are a few ideas to ponder.

#1 Buy an Orchid.

It’s been proven that having live plants (yep, no plastic), improves the air in your home. Don’t buy a lot and overwhelm yourself but having a living plant to care for is an easy way to distract yourself and concentrate on something beautiful.

You can find gorgeous orchids at every grocery store these days. And, they are easy to care for! Just put a couple of ice cubes in each week and they will continue to provide beautiful flowers for years. Remember, don’t throw them away if they look dead. One day, you’ll walk by and see more flowers budding. And if you forget the cubes a few weeks – no worries, they are extremely hardy.

And orchids represent love, luxury, beauty, and strength. Not a bad for 2021!

#2 Clean a drawer.

We all have them… junk drawers! That dreaded drawer where you throw everything you “need” into, so you can find it later. The problem is, we don’t take time to clean them, so it’s hard to find stuff in them! Do yourself a favor and take 30 minutes to clean it out.

The next time you go to find the tape or a rubber band, you’ll pat yourself on the back for how neat and organized it is.

High five on that!

#3 Kick YOURSELF out of the house.

For some of us, it used to be a thing to “kick our kids out of the house“, when they got too lazy or too rambunctious. Well, it’s time you kicked yourself out of the house to get some exercise and fresh air. It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy and raining, or cold and damp. Fresh air is fresh air.

It does you so much good to get out of the house and into the great outdoors!

#4 Adopt a Pet

We all know that there are plenty of pets waiting to be adopted. The commercials are heartbreaking. So why not open up your heart to something that is sure to distract you from the craziness in the world and bring joy to you and your family?

Awww. So sweet! And if you get a dog, it will prompt you to do the next thing on the list…

#5 Go for Walks in New Places

Many people have discovered parks within a few miles of their homes they never visited before! Walking around the neighborhood can get a little boring.

If you Google “local parks near me”, you’ll get a list of parks in your general vicinity.

#6 Make Dream Catchers

Dream Catchers? Sure! Why not? This is a great year to dream. Dream of health, happiness, prosperity, love, and for us all to hug each other again.

Here’s a how-to video we found on YouTube.

#7 Bake Artisan Bread

A lot of people have taken to making their own bread this year. We have patients who have been sharing recipes and pictures with their family members they haven’t been able to see during the pandemic.

The ingredients are incredibly simple. Here’s a recipe we found.

#8 Plan a Garden

Now’s a good time to start planning a garden. Before you say “No way!”, remember, it doesn’t have to be a huge project. Good Housekeeping has a great article on Vegetable Gardening for Beginners.” You can grow tomatoes and peppers in pots. You can dig up a small area in your backyard and do some “Square Foot Gardening“, which is an easy way to plan and plant a few plants.

If you already have a garden, start planning it now and maybe order some seeds online.

#9 Take an Online Class

Don’t you kinda wish you owned Zoom right now? There are thousands of online classes being offered virtually. Everything from free crafting classes at Michaels, to free University classes at edX from Harvard, MIT, Berkely, and more.

Pick a subject, any subject – you can find a class for it online within minutes!

#10 Love the Ones You’re With

This seems pretty obvious, but it’s been a difficult year for everyone. Many of us are stuck in our homes full-time, juggling work and virtual school for kids. The stress can be overwhelming. Remember you are not alone – millions of people around the world are experiencing exactly what you’re going through.