HOW DO I KEEP MYSELF OCCUPIED DURING CIRCUIT BREAKER

Hey everyone!

How has circuit breaker affects your life so far?

Frankly speaking, I've lost count of the number of days since circuit breaker has started!

Staying home has been pretty manageable so far since I have just officially started working from home this week (yay or nay, I can't decide!)

Despite so, since I've worked alternate weeks at the childcare, I experienced how it's like to stay home for a week straight without leaving the house. Unbearable huh?

That's why I am here with this blog post to share with you some of the things that I have been doing at home to keep myself occupied during this period, besides the workload I have on hand (lesson plans, portfolios, care calls, HBL lessons, adverts)

1. READ A BOOK

I was never a fan of reading books since I was a kid. I spent most of my childhood playing dolls and watching television shows, not surrounded by books, hence I can barely recall any storybooks that I liked. (Except Mr Midnight, Singapore Ghost Stories, Captain Underpants, that's all)

I don't know what pushed me to pick up a storybook after such a long time but I did.

As I didn't want to occupy too much of my time reading in a day, I limit myself to reading only 10 pages a day, hence it took me awhile to complete my book.

Flowers for Algernon was one of my literature books in Secondary School. I decided to read that book with the idea of donating it after I'm done with it since I wouldn't be putting it into good use so why not donate it to someone else who will treasure that book more than I do?

I am currently reading my 2nd book, also one of my literature books in Secondary School, The Outsiders. I'm hooked to the story though. Instead of limiting myself to just 10 pages a day, I can read 1-2 chapters a day at one go.

Well if you have zero interest in physical books, you can always look for audiobooks or ebooks on Apps store, like storytel etc. I've tried switching to audiobooks before Circuit Breaker started, but I'm sorry I still prefer listening to music on my way to work. Depends on individual preference I guess?

2. NETFLIX AND CHILL

In the past, I seldom watch the television or lookup for movies online to watch because I am always occupied with my social media life. I can live with any games on my phone but never ever without any social media apps!

Since I have an existing Netflix account, I decided to make good use of it to watch some dramas/ shows!

As of now, I have watched Crash Landing on You, Hi Bye Mama, Itaewon Class and now I'm hooked to Money Heist! Extremely intense and I recommend you to watch these if you haven't because all of them are amazing in their own ways!

If you have recommendations on what I should watch next, feel free to DM me on Instagram or leave me a comment down below. I will definitely take it to consideration (Thank you in advance!)

3. PHOTOSHOOT

This point is for those who love (or some calls it obsessed) with taking pictures of themselves. That's absolutely me!

Frankly speaking before this circuit breaker, I always rely on my boyfriend to take pictures of me when we head out because I need to get nicely taken shots for my adverts and I would get mad at him if he doesn't.

Background story: We started off as an Instagram model and Instagram photographer who would go out just to explore different spots in Singapore and get lots of pictures taken. However, it all changed ever since he entered the Army because of a change of priorities, lack of time etc and as time goes by, he started to lose his interest in Photography. He still accepts clients for birthdays, wedding shoots so you can head over to https://gabrielchua96.wixsite.com/partiesevents to check out his portfolio (open for hire only after the coronavirus situation in Singapore gets better.)

Okay, let's get to the main point!

As there's nowhere we can go during Circuit Breaker and I need to get my pictures taken if not my Instagram would be dead... I decided to make good use of my mum's camera and the tripod stand. Before every shoot, I would search on Tiktok and Pinterest for Inspirations on concepts that I would like to try out (& workable for me since I have limited plain walls at home) THEY ARE GOING TO BE YOUR 2 BEST FRIENDS DURING THIS PERIOD.

I have yet to try out much but at least I got extremely clear and precise shots for my adverts!

A few days back, I also gave the Fridge Challenge a shot!

How was it?

Glad that the pictures turned out well considering the fact that my tripod stand cracked and could not be used anymore so I decided to stack the DSLR on top of a styrofoam box and a can of tuna to ensure that my DSLR is pointing at the right angle and is stable enough to shoot!

Every shot countdown is 10 seconds and after every shot, settings would be back to default, which means I had to stand up, reset the settings before getting into position again.

The entire process took me close to an hour or more than that just to get the pictures I wanted, even though it could be better.

It's okay, there's always time to try again!

Moving on......

4. WORKOUT!

There's so much time in the world now to work your ass off for your ideal body so make good use of this opportunity.

I have been complaining about my figure, envying others and always wishing to get a body like theirs, but I don't do anything, literally.

Before this circuit breaker, my lifestyle hardly includes any workout at all, especially home workouts.

Why would I work my ass off at home when a home is supposed to be a place of rest?!

But well... guess it all changed ever since Circuit Breaker started.

I have been reading a lot of reviews about Chloe Ting's videos and out of a sudden, a lot of my Instagram friends are doing her workouts as well!

So... I decided to give it a try.

I started off with her Hourglass Challenge for more than a week before switching to her 2 weeks shred programme. It was hell!!!!!!

The last time I did burpees was during my Muay Thai Training back in July 2019.

Been such a long time since I did burpees that I can barely remember how it feels like...

Also, I can't believe I dragged myself for a run this week.

7km?!?!?!?! I can't believe it either.

I woke up from my nap at 4.45 pm, walked around the house a little, contemplate for the next 30 minutes before deciding to leave the house for a run.

I didn't felt like running but just wanted to workout so I went...

My heart would tend to hurt if I run for too long. Adding on, it was absolutely difficult to run properly with the mask on so I guess I walked more than half of the total distance LOL.

And by the way, that distance actually includes me walking to the mailbox 5-10 minutes away from my house, occasionally short breaks in between my runs, walking to the nearest neighbourhood mall to grab a carton of milk and walking to get drinks from a nearby Hawker Centre before heading home.

Nevertheless, I felt great being able to head out to get some fresh air after so long!

5. SHOP TILL YOU DROP

With advanced technology right now, shopping online is extremely easy to access via phone applications.

There are lots of apps that you can shop from... From Taobao to Zalora, to Asos, to Shopee & Lazada, there's definitely a lot for you to browse & kill time & spend money unknowingly.

I myself have also fallen into the trap of shopping online and spending few hundred dollars at one go, without considering the fact that I will not get to wear the pretty apparels that I bought until Circuit Breaker ends and life in Singapore gets back to normal.

6. DECLUTTER AND THROW

Time for another round of spring cleaning!

With all the time we have now, it is the best time to look through all the things you have at home and clear out all the unnecessary things and donate it to people who needs it more than you do. Old textbooks, CDs, old clothing, plushies etc, there are a lot that you can clear I'm sure!

7. LEARN TIKTOK DANCES

I once swear that I will not download Tiktok at all, but I eventually went on to download it during this Circuit Breaker. #tooearlytosay

I feel that Tiktok is full of interesting contents, tips and some really cute dance challenges that I would love to learn someday!

I am extremely bad at dancing but you may follow me on my Tiktok (https://vt.tiktok.com/ks6CYC/) in case I decided to be active on that app someday #youwouldntknow

There are definitely more things that you can do at home, such as learning how to cook, baking, drawing, singing, working on your interests and picking up new hobbies this period.

Most importantly, take care of your mental health.

As for me, I have been making good use of my journal from The Kind Friend to jot down the tasks I have on hand and goals that I want to achieve on a weekly basis.

It's the first and last thing I pick up when I wake up in the morning and before I head to bed.

It really helps me organise my thoughts better!

Sorry I do not have any promo codes for their products but you may shop their journals via the link below:

https://www.thekindfriend.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhtT1BRCiARIsAGlY51LEYJpJJV-Cpa2lMRvOXZc-qqK-Suf5g2AXWzXUQJMYnEagA97mEFwaAloPEALw_wcB

I know this coronavirus has affected our lives badly and we may tend to feel lonely at times not being able to meet our friends or go out for window shopping anymore.

We are going to get through this period together! *sends virtual hugs*

I did not cover much in this blogpost but I hope it gave you a better idea of what you can do during this period to occupy yourself at home.

If there's anything I can help you out with or you just want somebody to talk to/rant to, do drop me a DM or talk to me via Tellonym.

Love,

Bryana Huang